Deputy Director - Political and Community Organizing Department

New York State Nurses Association

Deputy Director
Political and Community Organizing Department

Based in New York

The New York State Nurses Association is a labor organization of over 45,000 frontline nurses standing together for strength at work, nursing practice, safe staffing, and healthcare for all. We are New York's largest union and professional association for registered nurses.

As the Deputy Political Director this position is responsible for implementing the union’s strategic plan established by the NYSNA Board of Directors. The Deputy Political Director will report directly to the Statewide Political Director. They will be responsible for establishing working relationships with New York State and local elected officials, local unions, and community allies. In addition, they will work closely with the Area Directors and other department directors or leads to develop a political strategy that engages NYSNA membership in successful political, legislative, and other relevant campaigns. The position is based in New York and is expected to work in the office, with some flexibility. Extensive travel, as well as evening and weekend hours will be required to fulfill the duties of this position.

Every effort has been made to make this position description as complete as possible; however, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties required of the position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITES:

• Implementing NYSNA’s political strategic plan with the Political Director
• Further the relevant political and organizing goals outlined in NYSNA’s mission statement
• Supervise, support, and evaluate the work of political organizers covering Upstate New York and other members of the political team as needed
• Implement the political and community organizing strategy that meets objectives outlined by Political Director and senior staff
• Manage the New York State legislative and political program, including coordinating and supporting NYSNA’s single payer advocacy 
• Support NYSNA’s work with the AFL CIO
  • Support relevant advocacy and legislative campaigns. 
  • Manage principal-based meetings
• Provide strategic support NYSNA’s work with relevant local area labor federations. 
• Further NYSNA strategic partnerships with labor unions and the general labor movement.
• Manage and support political team member engagement in strategic campaigns
• As Deputy Political Director consult and strategize as needed with union senior staff, department leads and the field team on strategy and tactics
• Review and evaluate on an ongoing basis the political landscape regarding health care, labor and nursing. Review and analyze developments and trends in the organization and delivery of health care, political landscape, and other areas pertinent to the department.
• Coordinate external relationships with elected officials, labor and community stakeholders on union priority campaigns and nursing standards
  • Staff coalitions as appropriate and delegate where appropriate subject to Political Director’s approval
• Develop and execute NY State budget and legislative campaigns and ally campaigns that support NYSNA members and mission
• Advise Political Director and NYSNA PAC on electoral assessments and opportunities throughout the downstate region
  • Work with Political Director, political staff and NYSNA area directors to develop and execute electoral plans 
• Oversee regional Political Action Teams (PAT) to educate, engage, and mobilize member activists in political and legislative actions

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful supervision (5 plus years preferred) of staff and working with member leaders
• Ability to lead multiple campaigns while managing the work of staff on other projects
• Ability to identify, strategize, organize, and succeed in Union campaigns
• At least five (5) years of political organizing experience with emphasis on member involvement and leadership development
• Significant experience in political and legislative advocacy. Strategic knowledge of NYS and municipal government and agencies, and organized labor required
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
• Proficiency in written communication at a professional level
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Salesforce or similar database systems
• Understanding of the healthcare industry and the role of Unions within it

Preferred:

• Experience leading multiple field teams or supervising managers.
• Experience with bargaining preparation and comprehensive contract campaigns.
• Experience coordinating large-scale, regional, or statewide organizing campaigns.
• Experience working across organizing, bargaining, political, communications, and campaign functions within a labor organization.

Core Competencies
Political Strategy & Judgment

• Understands the political landscape, assesses opportunities and risks, and develops strategies that advance the organization’s political priorities, member interests, and broader movement goals.

Campaign Strategy & Execution

• Translates political priorities into coordinated campaign plans, including goals, targets, timelines, tactics, benchmarks, and measures of success. Ensures campaigns move from strategy to disciplined execution.

Member & Community Engagement

• Keeps members, community partners, allies, and affected constituencies at the center of political campaigns and builds meaningful opportunities for participation, leadership, and collective action.

Coalition Building & External Relations

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with labor, community, political, and movement partners. Identifies opportunities for collaboration and develops strategic partnerships that strengthen campaign impact.

People Leadership & Coaching

• Sets clear expectations, develops and coaches managers and staff, provides actionable feedback, and creates a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

Strategic Communication & Alignment

• Communicates political strategy and campaign priorities clearly across the organization and with external partners. Builds alignment among departments, leadership, staff, members, and coalition partners.

Political & Campaign Operations

• Establishes systems and processes that support effective campaign execution, including coordination, timelines, staffing, resources, tracking, reporting, and rapid response to changing political conditions.

Accountability & Results

• Establishes clear goals and measures of progress, monitors campaign performance, addresses challenges and gaps, and ensures staff and teams follow through on commitments and organizational priorities.

We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. Women, minorities, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary Range: $150,000 – $170,000, depending upon education and relevant experience. 

TO APPLY:
All interested candidates should e-mail their résumés to: View email address on unionjobs.com , Subject: “ Deputy Director- PCO ”

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