Director of Coalition Alignment & Governance Strategy

Job description

**About the Working Families Party** The [Working Families Party](http://workingfamilies.org) (WFP) is the progressive party for the multiracial working class, fighting for a nation that works for the many, not the few. We recruit, train, and support transformational candidates up and down the ballot — and run them to win. We believe that no matter where we come from or what our color, most of us want the same things. We want to earn enough to thrive, not just survive, and leave a better future for our kids. We want healthy food and clean water, safe neighborhoods and a safe world. We want to be free. The Working Families Party is regular people coming together across our differences to make a better future for us all. We’re a multiracial party that fights for workers over bosses and people over the powerful. We want an America which realizes the promise – unrealized in our history – of freedom and equality for all. ### **ABOUT THIS ROLE** The Director of Coalition Alignment & Governance Strategy is a senior leadership position responsible for ensuring strategic alignment across California Working Families Party's governance structures, regional leadership bodies, staff teams, and elected champions. This role serves as the primary bridge between the State Steering Committee, Regional Committees, elected officials, organizational partners, and staff leadership to ensure that CA WFP operates as a cohesive statewide political organization. The Director will lead the development and implementation of California WFP's co-governance strategy, helping elected officials and movement leaders govern together around shared priorities while strengthening the party's long-term political infrastructure. The ideal candidate will be an experienced coalition builder, political strategist, facilitator, and manager who can navigate complex relationships, build alignment across diverse stakeholders, and drive execution on statewide priorities. ### ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES **Party Governance and Regional Alignment** - Collaborate closely with the State Director, CA WFP Officers, and State Steering Committee to develop and implement statewide political, organizational, and governing strategies. - Serve as the primary staff lead for the California State Steering Committee, including agenda development, meeting facilitation, follow-up, implementation tracking, and leadership development. - Manage regional steering committees as assigned by the State Director - Staff the work of the CA WFP Officers and provide strategic support related to governance, party growth, regional alignment, and organizational development. - Ensure strong alignment between statewide priorities and Regional Committee strategies, programs, and decision-making processes. - Build systems that improve communication, coordination, accountability, and collaboration between regional and statewide leadership bodies. - Support the ongoing development of democratic governance structures that strengthen participation, accountability, and strategic decision-making across the organization. - Manage the annual dues collections from coalition members. - Coordinate communication, workflow, and strategic alignment between State Steering Committee members, Regional Committees, staff, and organizational partners. **Governance and Elected Leadership Strategy** - Lead the development and execution of California WFP's statewide co-governance strategy. - Plan and execute annual statewide governance and co-governance convenings. - Support the planning and facilitation of regional governance and co-governance gatherings throughout the state. - Build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, candidates, labor leaders, movement organizations, and coalition partners. - Coordinate regular engagement opportunities for elected officials, including statewide elected official meetings, issue-based governing discussions, and strategic planning sessions. - Develop and facilitate a monthly statewide elected officials call focused on policy priorities, governing opportunities, movement alignment, and shared strategy. - Coordinate issue-based co-governance campaigns that connect elected officials, movement organizations, and party leaders around common priorities. - Work closely with regional leadership and elected champions to establish regional co-governance tables and governing structures. - Support elected officials in building stronger relationships with movement organizations and community leaders throughout California. **Staff Management and Organizational Leadership** - Supervise staff as assigned by the State Director. - Support cross-department coordination to ensure organizing, electoral, governance, communications, and development work are aligned with statewide priorities. - Participate as a senior leader in organizational planning, staff development, and strategic decision-making. - Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and political alignment across staff teams. **Political Strategy and Coalition Building** - Maintain strong relationships with labor unions, community organizations, member leaders, donors, elected officials, and movement allies. - Identify opportunities to strengthen California WFP's political infrastructure, coalition relationships, and governing power throughout the state. - Represent California WFP in coalition spaces, governance tables, and strategic political discussions as assigned by the State Director. - Support the development of long-term political strategies that connect electoral success to governing power and durable movement-building. - Work across departments and stakeholder groups to ensure California WFP functions as an integrated statewide political organization. - Lead special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned by the State Director. ### SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS - **Organizational Leadership:** At least 8 years of experience serving as an advisor, strategist, or senior leader within political, labor, advocacy, or democratic organizations. Proven ability to build alignment across diverse stakeholders and translate strategy into action. - **Governance and Coalition Management:** Deep experience managing coalitions, steering committees, boards, elected leaders, or other governing bodies. Strong understanding of relationship building, consensus development, and organizational decision-making. - **Exceptional People Leadership:** Proven experience managing staff; setting expectations; developing talent; leading performance management; and building strong, trust-based relationships across lines of difference. - **Co-Governance and Political Strategy:** Experience working with elected officials, candidates, labor unions, and community organizations to advance shared governing, policy, or political priorities. Knowledge of California's political and movement ecosystem preferred. - **Superior Communication:** Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to facilitate complex conversations, navigate competing interests, and translate political and organizational priorities into clear guidance, decisions, and systems that support alignment and execution.