Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO

Political Director

Based in Annapolis, MD

 

The Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO is a federation of over 700 local unions, representing over 320,000 union members in 51 national and international unions, joined together with the common purpose of advancing the interests of union members and working families through guaranteeing the right of every worker to join a union. We fight for economic justice and for every worker to be treated with dignity in safe workplaces earning family sustaining wages and benefits. Our affiliates include local unions that represent public sector workers (state, county, municipal employees, higher education, and federal government workers), skilled construction tradespeople, teachers and school support staff, manufacturing workers, hospitality workers, entertainment professionals, athletics, healthcare workers, retail workers, paraprofessionals, transportation workers, and nearly every type of job in every sector of the Maryland and DC economy. In brief, everyone from airline pilots to zoologists.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about economic fairness, social justice, improving the lives of working people and strengthening the labor movement.

The Political Director is responsible for executing and overseeing the State Federation’s political campaigns and programs to grow labor’s power and influence and working with leadership to develop the strategic statewide political operation. This role serves as the principal strategist for these efforts, utilizing the most up to date research and practices to elect labor champions and hold them accountable once elected. The Political Director manages and oversees the candidate endorsement process, election data collection and analysis, and deployment of resources. They ensure compliance with all AFL-CIO rules governing elections and relevant laws and regulations. 

Salary - $80,000 – $89,000 annually depending on qualifications specific to the job. This is an in-person, contingent position through December 31, 2026 with full paid health care and personal vehicle allowance.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Oversee all aspects of the State Federation’s political program, including GOTV, voter registration, legal reporting, internal communications, and political reporting requirements.
• Execute and coordinate the State Federation’s political plan and budget.
• Lead and coordinate the State Federation’s political program with the Central Labor Bodies and Chapters or Locals in all areas of the state as well as the AFL-CIO staff.
• Work with the CLC leadership and Locals’ leaders to coordinate, accurately track and report on all political field activities, phone banking, texting, worksite visits, and all other activities for getting out the vote for labor’s endorsed candidates. 
• Coordinate political messaging and engagement strategies with communications staff.
• Strengthen the Council’s internal political capacity to support our strategic goals. 
• Create strategies to increase participation by rank-and-file union members in political activities
• Implement training for volunteers and zone captains/leads
• Plan and execute large-scale mobilizations. 
• Manage the political budget and support fundraising for COPE. 

Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least five years' experience in political campaign work.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the state of Maryland including occasional overnight travel and assignments.
• Computer literacy and a willingness and ability to learn the organization's technology tools.
• Strong personal planning, motivation, and time management skills and attention to detail.
• Freedom and willingness to work irregular and long hours and attend required evening and weekend actions and meetings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• High level ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to plan strategically, follow a plan and be accountable to a team in carrying out a plan.
• Dedication to building power for workers and a willingness to participate in a wide field of activities towards that objective.
• Ability to work in diverse communities and individuals.
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team.

To Apply:
At least three references will be required. Please send cover letter and résumé to dedwards@mddclabor.org and indicate “Political Director” in the subject line. Résumés will be accepted until Friday, April 17, 2026.