Research Director

The AFL-CIO is hiring a Research Director who will be a critical member of the labor movement’s senior campaign team. This is a new position, and this person will help stand up a rapid response oriented research operation. The Research Director will collaborate with senior directors across the organization, manage a full-time researcher, oversee the work of several part-time researchers and recommend campaign-wide priorities. The Research Director will be involved in supervisory and personnel decisions.

Temporary position not to exceed twelve (12) months.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and operationalize a rapid response process to provide timely and critical policy analysis to the AFL-CIO, affiliates, and allies. Includes analysis on implications for states and key regions, communities, industries, corporations, and investors
• Lead and advise on long-form research products to support field and legislative priorities.
• Collaborate with the Directors of Advocacy, Political and Field Mobilization, Organizing, Campaign Research, and Communications to understand and design research products.
• Develops and implements training strategy and program to build capacity for strategic research, communications, and public policy campaigns throughout the labor movement
• Coordinates and maintains relationships with AFL-CIO, affiliate union staff, community partners, outside consultants, academic, and issue activists.
• Promotes and demonstrates a comprehensive approach to strategic research.
• Serves as a lead for specific campaign activity.
• Makes assessment and recommendations on the development of strategic research.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of ten years of relevant work experience and demonstrated success, including at least five years’ of demonstrated strategic research in the labor movement.
• Bachelor’s Degree in related field or equivalent experience.
• Graduate degree or applicable experience in relevant discipline preferred.
• Experience in the labor movement or work in support of the labor movement preferred.
• Four or more cycles of campaign research experience in government, advocacy or equivalent settings.
• Experience managing and developing research staff.
• Research Director on at least one statewide or national campaign with a strong preference for Senate campaigns.
• Deep understanding of Congress and legislative debates, with the ability to translate complex legislative language into digestible talking points.
• Proven experience in standing up new operations.
• Ability to manage relationships in complex political and sensitive organizational situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, work well under pressure, and manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication, and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive relationships and effectively communicate internally and with external contacts
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategies that are intersectional from the start, grounded in equity.
• Demonstrated ability to build and motivate teams and work effectively in a team environment in both a lead and support role.
• Computer proficiency is required for Google Suite, Google Drives, Power Point, web conferencing, email, and internet.
• Ability to travel and work long hours or weekends are required.

Resume and cover letter required.

401k, Dental Insurance, Life Insurance, Medical Insurance, Vision