Campaign Director - National Bargaining

SEIU; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 122,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Job summary

SEIU (Service Employees International Union) in the United States is seeking a Campaign Director for National Bargaining. The role leads bargaining programs, develops strategic plans, and interfaces with affiliate leaders to drive national and local bargaining priorities.

The role requires 8–9 years in collective bargaining, strong leadership, and a proven capacity to manage complex campaigns and budgets. Travel and external collaboration are expected as part of the Union Strength hub.

Qualifications

• Eight to nine years of progressive experience in collective bargaining and contract campaigns.
• Experience leading complex labor negotiations including first contracts and major campaigns.
• Proven ability to translate national priorities into local strategies and measurable outcomes.
• Ability to manage budgets and supervise staff within approved resources.
• Strong relationships with affiliate leaders, senior staff, and external partners.
• Commitment to racial justice, worker power, and inclusive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the bargaining program area and develop major plans to strengthen capacity across locals.
• Provide strategic leadership for complex bargaining efforts and cross‑local campaigns.
• Identify politically sensitive issues and recommend strategic approaches with senior leadership.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with affiliate leaders to align strategy and execution.
• Develop bargaining strategies, tools, and training for local leaders and staff.
• Lead bargaining training and leadership development to build local capacity.
• Supervise and coach staff; set priorities and ensure quality execution.
• Manage the defined budget and oversee expenditures within approved parameters.
• Maintain mastery of bargaining strategy and apply to complex challenges.
• Represent SEIU with external partners on national bargaining matters.
• Exercise independent judgment on the success of the National Bargaining program area.

Skills

Bargaining expertise

Staff supervision

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Budget management

Leadership development

Job description

SEIU (Service Employees International Union)

JOB TITLE:

Campaign Director - National Bargaining

GRADE:

MGT F

SALARY:

$135,609.02

LOCATION:

All USA

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

We are the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a union of about 2 million diverse members in healthcare, the public sector, and property services. We believe in and fight for our Vision for a Just Society: where all workers are valued and all people respected, no matter where we come from or what color we are; where all families and communities can thrive; and where we leave a better and more equitable world for generations to come. We are an anti-racist union determined to check corporate power and uproot structural racism through unions, worker power, collective action, and government, legislative, and political action. We fight for Unions for All and a Government that Works for All so that all of us, across race and place, can have power together in unions and participate fully in our democracy.

PURPOSE:

This position is part of the Union Strength team with overall responsibility for contract campaigns and bargaining support for locals. This role support may also train and teach locals in bargaining techniques and contract campaign best practices.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Any one position may not include all of the specific duties and responsibilities listed. Examples provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in the classification.

Working with the Industry and Bargaining Director and other Union Strength leadership, to:

• Lead the bargaining program area and develop and implement major program plans that strengthen collective bargaining and contract campaign capacity across local unions.
• Provide strategic leadership for complex bargaining efforts and contract campaigns, including first contracts, major strategic negotiations, multi-employer, multi-local, and cross-sector efforts, and situations where local unions require increased capacity.
• Identify politically sensitive bargaining issues, recommend strategic approaches, and implement decisions in coordination with Union Strength leadership and affiliate leaders.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with affiliate leaders and senior staff to assess bargaining needs, align strategy, and support effective execution of national and local bargaining priorities.
• Develop bargaining strategies, tools, standards, and training programs for local union leaders and staff related to collective bargaining, first contracts, contract campaigns, and emerging bargaining practices.
• Lead the planning and delivery of bargaining training and leadership development initiatives designed to build sustainable local union capacity.
• Supervise, coach, and develop staff assigned to the bargaining program area; establish priorities, provide direction, and support high-quality execution of the work.
• Manage the defined budget including establishing priorities and overseeing expenditures within approved parameters.
• Maintain professional mastery of collective bargaining and contract campaign strategy, including current and emerging practices, and apply that expertise to complex bargaining challenges.
• Represent SEIU with external partners and organizations, including individuals in positions of moderate and, as appropriate, senior authority, on matters related to national bargaining and contract campaigns.
• Exercise independent judgment and make decisions that may determine the success or failure of the National Bargaining program area.
• Perform additional duties as needed in alignment with the Hub’s mission and goals.

CONTACTS:

Includes all levels of SEIU staff; local union leaders and senior staff; International Executive Board members; SEIU Executive Officers; Geographic Teams; SEIU supporting departments; and external labor, community, and other partner organizations. The position has ongoing contact with affiliate leaders and may represent SEIU with individuals in positions of moderate and senior authority in other organizations.

DIRECTION AND DECISION MAKING:

This position reports to the Union Strength Hub Director and has primary responsibility for the National Bargaining program area. The position develops and implements major program plans, supervises assigned staff, formulates the program budget, and exercises substantial independent judgment in setting priorities and making decisions that may determine the success of the functional area.

QUALIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of eight to nine (8-9) years of related, progressive experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, demonstrating professional mastery of collective bargaining, contract campaigns, and worker or union organizing.
• Experience must include substantial responsibility for complex labor negotiations, including first contracts and other major contract campaigns, and demonstrated experience leading programs and supervising staff.
• Professional mastery of collective bargaining, contract campaign strategy, first contracts, and complex or multi-party negotiations.
• Ability to develop and implement major program plans and translate national bargaining priorities into effective strategies, workplans, and measurable outcomes.
• Ability to identify politically sensitive issues, exercise sound judgment, and implement sensitive decisions in coordination with senior leadership and affiliate leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain ongoing relationships with affiliate leaders, senior staff, elected leaders, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, develop, and hold staff accountable while building diverse, inclusive, high-performing teams.
• Experience formulating and managing a program or functional budget and establishing priorities within approved resources.
• Proficiency in proven strategies for union membership growth, including understanding the connection between racial justice, worker power, and membership growth.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate racial justice and anti-racist principles into strategy, program development, staff management, and coalition-building.
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities and projects, coordinate across departments and local unions, and deliver results in a timely manner.
• Excellent strategic planning, organizational, communication, facilitation, and leadership development skills.
• Knowledge of union systems, structures, cultures, and the roles of local unions and the International Union in collective bargaining.
• Ability to exercise substantial independent judgment and make decisions that may determine the success or failure of the National Bargaining program area.

CONTACTS:

Includes all levels of SEIU staff; local union leaders and senior staff; International Executive Board members; SEIU Executive Officers; Geographic Teams; SEIU supporting departments; and external labor, community, and other partner organizations. The position has ongoing contact with affiliate leaders and may represent SEIU with individuals in positions of moderate and senior authority in other organizations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is generally performed in an office setting, and frequently requires work on the ground or in other settings to perform the tasks required to complete assignments. Must be available for frequent travel, with the ability to fly and stay overnight. Travel and work beyond traditional business hours are required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

SEIU offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our values as a labor organization and our commitment to the well‑being and long‑term security of our staff. Benefits include:

• A comprehensive, employer-sponsored health benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Additional benefits consistent with a mission‑driven workplace

SEIU believes that workers deserve dignity, stability, and the ability to plan for their futures, and our benefits are designed to support that belief.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.