Writers Guild of America, West
 

Director
Organizing Department

Based in Los Angeles, CA

 

The WGAW Organizing Department is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Director to join our mission to defend and improve the livelihoods of storytellers at the heart of the entertainment industry. This position is a full time, exempt (salaried) position with full benefits. Compensation will be commensurate with experience. The successful candidate will be a dynamic, strategic thinker and experienced (mid-level career) unionist with deep organizing and supervisory experience.

Under the direction of the Assistant Executive Director, the Director oversees the department responsible for engaging and activating members to support the Guild’s key priorities including collective bargaining, organizing, contract enforcement, public policy, new member education and inclusion & equity. The Director is responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans for internal and external organizing campaigns to support the priorities of the elected Board of Directors, increase the Guild’s leverage and expand the Guild’s representation of writers.

BACKGROUND
WGAW is a democratic, progressive labor union representing approximately 10,000 active members, who are writers of motion pictures, television/streaming, radio, and news employed by the major media companies. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the economic and creative rights of its members. We are involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and active in public policy, legislative and regulatory matters on the local, national, and international levels. Over the years, our members have consistently demonstrated a willingness to take on difficult issues and organize to challenge the industry status quo.

This position is an exciting challenge for a highly skilled organizer and strategist interested in building member power in a landscape of corporate consolidation and technological change. You will join a dedicated and experienced team of Guild leaders and staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Actively initiate, plan, implement and evaluate strategic internal and external organizing campaigns.
• Lead contract campaign field program and supervise staff.
• Identify, build relationships and engage strategic members to increase members’ leverage in bargaining, to enforce contracts, to expand Guild coverage and to provide union education to new members.
• Advise and oversee staffing of organizing committees and working groups on strategic issues.
• Strategize with staff and members to develop and implement collective responses to work-related problems arising from enforcement the current collective bargaining agreements as well as issues outside of the scope of the agreements.
• Oversee the Guild’s rank and file member leadership development Captains Program.
• Handle human resources issues relating to Department personnel, including hiring, staff development, performance evaluations, discipline, etc.
• Provide insight, analysis and regular reports to the Assistant Executive Director and Executive staff about Department initiatives and writer issues.
• Work closely and collaboratively with Guild staff from other Departments.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive experience representing and organizing professional and/or freelance employees and training members for activism and leadership.
• Proven track record leading internal organizing campaigns including contract campaigns.
• Experience running strikes strongly preferred.
• External organizing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising organizers and other staff.
• Exceptional communication and public speaking skills.
• Knowledge of labor contract principles and labor law and ability to assimilate, frame and communicate enforcement issues.
• Must be able to work with limited oversight, have superior discretion and regularly exercise independent judgment.
• Must have excellent time management skills and ability to think and plan strategically.
• Must have the ability to navigate complex political waters, including dealing with dynamic priorities. Proficiency in MSWord and Excel.
• Valid California driver’s license and reliable insured automobile for business use required.
• Ability to travel locally and work weekends and evenings as required.
• Knowledge of the entertainment industry a plus.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• The successful applicant must be available to travel and be able to work weekends and evening meetings, as necessary.
• Regular evening and occasional weekend events and meetings are anticipated.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This person should be able to bend, stoop, reach, sit, twist, move arms, wrists and fingers, drive a car, and travel to meetings off-site.

MENTAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret bargaining agreements, learn and understand relevant provisions of the MBA, perform activities on schedule, maintain regular attendance and punctuality and interact with others courteously, professionally and with discretion in a fast-paced, multi-faceted work environment.
• Must have the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure while initiating and completing a variety of tasks.
• Superior analytical and organizational skills are essential.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Does not require working near hazardous equipment or machines. Very low exposure to noise, dust, gas, odors, fumes. (If attending meetings off-site, may require some exposure to work near hazardous equipment or machines).

COMPENSATION
The Director of Member Organizing is a Los Angeles-based full-time, exempt position with full benefits. The WGAW offers a competitive salary range from $125,000-195,000 commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION
To be considered for this position, please provide the following:

• A current résumé, reflecting qualifications for this position, including months and years of employment, and reasons for separation from each position.
• A letter of application, specifically addressing how accomplishments in your career have prepared you to meet the essential functions and requirements presented in this position.

All application materials must be forwarded electronically to:

WGAW Search Consultant,
Unionsearch.org., Margolies, Potterton & Associates, c/o:
Patricia Johnson, Business Manager: patjohnson@unionsearch.org

For confidential inquiries, questions, salary information or to schedule a call, please email Debra Schwoch-Swoboda dswoboda@unionsearch.org

First review of applications May 17, 2024. Position open until filled.

For more information about WGAW and the WGAW contract, please visit: www.wga.org.