MI State Council Executive Director, SEIU MICHIGAN

EMPLOYER: SEIU MICHIGAN

LOCATION: Detroit or Lansing, MI

State Council Executive Director – SEIU MICHIGAN

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is the nation's largest and fastest growing
union. The Michigan State Council is made up of SEIU Local 526M/Michigan State Corrections
Organization, SEIU Local 517M, SEIU Local 1 and SEIU HCMI/Healthcare Michigan
representing working people across the healthcare, public, property services and corrections
industries.

The Michigan State Council brings together local and International Union stakeholders to
advance a shared vision for building power for all workers across Michigan. The local unions are
dedicated to working together to improve the lives of workers and their families and creating a
more just and humane society. SEIU’s strategy is centered on building a multi-racial, worker-led
movement to drive bold demands on corporations and government to rewrite the rules for
Unions for All workers, regardless of race, immigration status, where or how they work.

SEIU is seeking an innovative leader to serve as the Michigan State Council Executive Director.

Position Overview

The State Council Executive Director will guide and direct the council to develop and execute
strategic plans that reflect the goals of the SEIU Michigan.

Principal Duties

• Develop and implement comprehensive state plans that integrate political, organizing,

and member work to win key elections, drive the Unions for All demand, build a leader-
rich SEIU, advance justice fights, and build long-term state power.

• Drive the demand for Unions for All, racial, and economic justice by mobilizing SEIU

members and not-yet-union workers to challenge corporate power and demand
government action to ensure that all workers have the ability to form strong, industry-
wide or sectoral unions.

• Advance union organizing campaigns led by SEIU divisions, programs and local unions

to build the organizing capacity of SEIU and organize new workers into the Union.

• Strengthen the political capacity of local unions and members to win and hold power at

the national, state and local level, including supporting recruitment and development of
worker leaders and activists, building the internal political fundraising program, and
enhancing the skills of staff and members.

• Build independent political power for SEIU and partners in a wider movement through

developing sustainable civic engagement programs and political organization,
particularly in communities of color.

• Drive SEIU’s program to elect champions for working families and shift the political

debate to focus on an agenda that improves the lives of workers and their families and
communities.

• Support campaigns to win economic, racial, immigrant and environmental justice and to

make unions and worker organizations central to the debate at the federal, state and
local level, and hold elected officials accountable to those issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate and manage collaborative planning processes by partnering with SEIU

Michigan Locals, the International Union, and stakeholders to design plans to meet
statewide political and organizing objectives and goals.

• Execute an integrated statewide program across SEIU Michigan Locals and priority

campaigns to expand working people’s power in Michigan.

• Supervise and manage the work and development of all State Council staff.
• Create and execute a member leadership development and education program that

focuses on politics and organizing.

• Develop and implement a reporting structure that tracks program metrics and outcomes

on the state council’s strategic goals.

• Represent SEIU to elected officials, partners and coalitions.
• Organizational operations and development, including budget management, financial

and other reporting requirements, research, writing, public speaking, preparation of
reports and staffing the Council Executive Board.

• Lead or provide strategic guidance on lobbying programs and support legislative field

strategy for priority campaigns at the state and federal level.

• Support the development of SEIU Michigan’s yearly legislative agenda.
• Support a collaborative candidate endorsement process driven by members and not-yet-

union workers.

• Anchor the coordination of SEIU Michigan’s electoral planning and IE programs.
• Foster and expand strategic partnerships and coalitions to build support and momentum

for SEIU priorities.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to workers, union power and member leadership anchored in

a strong belief of fighting for economic and racial justice.

• At least 7-10 years of related, progressively responsible work experience including

organizational-level leadership. Experience working in unions preferred; campaign,
organizing, and/or experience in other progressive grassroots membership-based
organizations will be considered.

• Extensive knowledge of political organizing and comprehensive campaign strategies.
• Experience in policy development and state lobbying work and a deep understanding of

state legislative processes.

• Ability to design, coordinate, and direct strategic political and organizing campaigns.

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to hire, supervise and develop staff at all levels.
• Superb interpersonal skills, with a history of forging strong relationships with multiple

stakeholders.

• High level of leadership and judgment. Ability to work independently and in consultation

with organizational leaders in complex political situations.

• Develop and maintain a budget and other administrative responsibility. Properly

complete reporting and other legal requirements by deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to work in diverse workplaces with complex situations with multiple

levels of accountability.

• Ability to negotiate, resolve conflicts, voice differing viewpoints and opinions and build

consensus.

Direction and Decision Making

The Executive Director of the Michigan State Council is supervised by the Michigan State
Council Executive Officers, and coordinates with and provides regular updates to a designated
International Union representative. This position requires independent judgment.

Physical Requirements

Work is generally performed in an office setting but may require work in other settings
conducive to performing the task required to complete assignments. Long and extended hours
and extensive travel required.

Location, Salary and Benefits

This position is based in either the Detroit or Lansing area.

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - 125,000, depending on qualifications and
experience. Generous benefit package includes pension and fully-covered health insurance with
dental and vision plans.

Apply

Submit a cover letter and resume to marissa.murphy@seiu.org. The cover letter should be
concise, compelling, and outline the specific ways in which you would be a good fit for this
position.

SEIU is an equal opportunity employer.