CKPU
Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions

Staff Director

Remote
(must be based in California, Oregon, or Washington)

 

Founded in 1996, the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions (CKPU) brings together more than 92,000 frontline healthcare workers across California, Oregon, Washington, Hawai'i, Colorado, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., united in the belief that quality care and respect for workers go hand in hand. Through a groundbreaking Labor Management Partnership (LMP), the Coalition ensures that labor’s voice shapes decisions at every level of Kaiser Permanente- from staffing and workflow to the direction of healthcare- so every patient receives the best care possible and every worker has a meaningful voice on the job. The LMP has become a national model for labor-management collaboration and a driving force behind Kaiser Permanente’s reputation as both an industry leader and one of the best places to work and receive care. The Coalition advances a shared vision of quality care, respect for every worker, and the highest standards of wages, working conditions, and patient outcomes. Learn more at unioncoalition.org and lmpartnership.org.

The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions seeks an experienced individual to serve as Staff Director, a senior leadership role responsible for coordinating and advancing Coalition priorities across Kaiser Permanente regions.

The Staff Director supervises national program and field coordinators and works closely with Coalition Executive Board, local union leaders, Labor Management Partnership executives, and Kaiser Permanente leadership to implement initiatives that advance the goals of the National Agreement and the Labor Management Partnership. The role oversees Coalition program implementation, supports staff development, accountability for results, and performance management, and contributes to organizational planning and governance, including regular participation in Coalition Executive Board meetings and engagement with Labor Management Partnership bodies as needed. Works with front-line union members on development and decision making in many settings.

As a member of the Coalition Leadership Team, the Staff Director serves as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and helps translate Coalition priorities into coordinated programs, initiatives, and field activities across regions. The position plays a central role in aligning national strategy with regional implementation and supporting effective collaboration among Coalition unions and Kaiser Permanente leadership. Success in this position requires strong political judgment and the ability to navigate complex relationships across multiple unions, regions, and partnership stakeholders.

Travel and evening or weekend work are required.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Coalition Alignment

• Provides leadership and coordination for national and regional field organizing campaigns that align with the goals of the National Agreement and Coalition priorities.
• Supports development and implementation of Coalition strategies and annual action plans that advance Coalition and Labor Management Partnership priorities.
• Contributes to Coalition-wide planning by participating in national and regional projects and initiatives that advance Coalition priorities.
• Chairs or participates on national and regional committees, task forces, and working groups to develop recommendations on issues ranging from localized concerns to major national initiatives impacting the Coalition.

Program & Initiative Oversight

• Through direct reports, oversees development and management of programs involving union members on Special Assignment Status roles.
• Provides leadership in addressing disputes, operational challenges, or obstacles affecting partnership implementation.
• Assists in developing Coalition strategies and coordinated responses to disputes or challenges related to partnership implementation.
• Supports development of national and regional policies and procedures that guide Coalition programs and initiatives, including development of program policies, metrics, and evaluation processes.

Staff Leadership & Organizational Management

• Provides leadership, mentorship, and performance management for Coalition program and field staff, supporting professional development and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and strategic execution.
• Supervises national program and field coordinators and supports hiring, onboarding, goal setting, and evaluation processes for direct reports.
• Ensures effective coordination and communication across Coalition staff and program areas to support successful implementation of Coalition priorities.
• Partnership & Relationship Building
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with Coalition union leaders, staff, and members across regions.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with Kaiser Permanente leaders and supervisors to support program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Advances the goals and principles of the Labor Management Partnership at national, regional, and local levels.
• Facilitates collaboration between union leadership and Kaiser Permanente management to support problem- solving, program planning, and operational improvements.
• Develops and presents policy recommendations and helps resolve operational challenges related to Coalition initiatives and partnership implementation.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma required. Bachelor’s degree in labor relations, labor studies, labor education, or related field highly desirable. Equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Minimum of ten years of full-time experience in the labor movement, including leadership experience in organizing, collective bargaining, direct action, program development, or labor management partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing staff teams, including direct supervision of at least five staff members. Experience working with staff unions or in unionized staff environments strongly preferred.
• Experience working in multi-union coalitions or complex labor partnerships strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and execute strategic plans that advance organizational objectives.
• Experience with program management, organizational leadership, and complex problem solving, preferably in a healthcare or labor partnership environment.
• Experience facilitating groups, engaging with senior union and corporate leadership, and leading interest- based processes in complex or high-stakes situations.
• Experience with budget development and oversight.
• Strong commitment to social justice and cultural diversity.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-union environment and build trust across diverse perspectives and organizational cultures.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to operate effectively in environments of change and competing priorities.
• Intermediate computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite.

Application Information:
Interested persons should submit a résumé and a cover letter that describes their qualifications for the specific position to: resumes@unioncoalition.org. Please include “Staff Director” in the subject line.

Location: The position must be based in California, Oregon, or Washington. Preference will be given to candidates located in an urban region with Kaiser Permanente facilities.

Salary range is $160,000 – $175,000 DOE, benefit package including AFL-CIO defined pension benefit plan, employer paid medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) match. Paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Bilingual and BIPOC candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.