Manager of Organizing

American Federation of Teachers; Tukwila (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is seeking a strategic Manager of Organizing to lead external campaigns, supervise staff, and expand nurse-led workplace power across Washington. You will shape campaigns, empower worker leaders, and collaborate with union partners to advance safe staffing and patient care standards.

The role emphasizes building sustainable organizing structures, data-informed decision making, and commitment to diversity and equity in leadership and campaigns.

Qualifications

• Five+ years in labor organizing, union representation, or related campaigning.
• At least three years of direct supervisory or management experience.
• Experience leading external organizing campaigns and first-contract transitions.
• Track record of building worker leadership and volunteer networks.
• Strong planning, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead external organizing and first-contract campaigns from planning to assessment.
• Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate organizing staff.
• Build worker-led committees and member volunteer structures.
• Partner with labor reps and leaders on internal organizing and campaigns.
• Develop goals, timelines, staffing, and communication strategies.
• Monitor campaign progress and use data to guide decisions.
• Support interventions to protect bargaining units and prevent decertification.
• Coordinate with labor relations, communications, and other functions.

Skills

Labor organizing

Staff supervision

Campaign planning

Relationship building

Communication

Project management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Build nurse power. Strengthen workplaces. Advance patient care.

The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is seeking a strategic, experienced, and values-driven Manager of Organizing to help nurses build collective power and improve the conditions that shape their work and the care patients receive. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an accomplished organizer who is energized by building worker leadership, developing staff, winning campaigns, and helping nurses turn shared concerns into lasting workplace change.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Organizing, the Manager of Organizing leads assigned external organizing and first-contract transition campaigns while partnering with Labor Representatives, member leaders, and cross-functional staff on internal organizing, contract, issue, political, and membership-engagement campaigns.

You will supervise and develop organizing staff, build strong worker-led committees, use campaign data to guide strategy, and help shape organizing systems that expand WSNA's reach and impact. You will work alongside nurses and colleagues committed to strengthening bargaining units, advancing employment standards, and supporting quality patient care throughout Washington.

Why WSNA

At WSNA, you will join a mission-driven organization that believes nurses' collective voice is essential to safe staffing, professional respect, strong workplace standards, and quality patient care. This role offers the opportunity to lead meaningful work with skilled colleagues and nurse leaders across Washington State. WSNA is committed to building a workplace and labor movement that is welcoming, equitable, inclusive, and accessible. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply.

What you will do

• Lead the planning, execution, and assessment of external organizing and first-contract transition campaigns.
• Recruit, supervise, coach, develop, and evaluate organizing staff.
• Build and sustain worker-leader networks, workplace organizing committees, and member volunteer structures.
• Partner with Labor Representatives and member leaders on internal organizing, contract, issue, and membership campaigns.
• Develop campaign goals, timelines, staffing plans, communication strategies, escalation tactics, and performance measures.
• Monitor campaign progress and use organizing data to identify opportunities, assess risks, and make strategic recommendations.
• Support interventions that help prevent or reverse bargaining-unit destabilization or decertification efforts.
• Coordinate with colleagues across labor relations, communications, political, membership, research, and information technology functions.
• Build productive relationships with unions, coalitions, community organizations, and other organizing partners.
• Advance WSNA's commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility in staff leadership, campaign strategy, and member engagement.

What you bring

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in labor organizing, union representation, worker advocacy, political or issue-based campaigning, community organizing, or a related field.
• At least three (3) years of direct supervisory or management experience, including staff coaching, development, performance management, workload planning, and accountability.
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible related experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading external organizing campaigns, including worker-leader identification, committee development, campaign planning, recognition or election activity, and transition to bargaining or first-contract work.
• A record of building meaningful worker leadership, organizing committees, volunteer networks, and sustained member engagement.
• Strong campaign-planning, project-management, communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Sound judgment, discretion, political awareness, and the ability to manage multiple complex and time-sensitive priorities.
• A demonstrated commitment to nurses, workers, the labor movement, and improving employment and patient-care standards.
• Ability to travel periodically and work occasional evenings and weekends as campaign and organizational needs require.

Especially valuable experience

• Healthcare, public-sector, nonprofit, or other highly regulated-industry organizing.
• First-contract, contract, membership, workplace issue, or anti-decertification campaigns.
• National Labor Relations Act processes, public-sector labor law, unfair labor practice matters, or representation procedures.
• Power mapping, workplace assessment, campaign research, leader identification, and data-informed campaign analysis.
• Organizing databases, CRM systems, digital organizing platforms, peer-to-peer texting, and secure communications tools.
• Managing staff in a unionized or collective-bargaining environment.
• Coalition work with labor federations, unions, community organizations, advocacy organizations, or political partners.
• Training and leadership development for staff, members, volunteers, or workplace leaders.

Work environment

This exempt position is based in Washington State and reports to the Director of Organizing. Hybrid schedules may be available when consistent with job responsibilities and supervisor approval. The role requires periodic travel, along with occasional evening and weekend work.

Equal Opportunities

WSNA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.