Description

Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans 

Executive Director 

The Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WIARA) is seeking a part-time Executive Director to help lead our organization alongside the elected president and board of directors.  The Wisconsin Alliance For Retired Americans is a 501(c)(4) organization that works alongside organized labor to 1) fight for retirees and their issues, 2) work with existing unions in their workplace fights, and 3) support union endorsed candidates for office. 

The position of Executive Director is one that will help to lead our organization in fundraising, event, planning strategy, organizing, and execution.  You will answer to and be supervised by the Board of Directors, which is composed of the officers and directors selected by sustaining unions.  This is a position for an individual that wants to make an investment in growing an organization and building a movement.  

This is a Wisconsin-based remote position that will require travel to Madison, Milwaukee, and around the state of Wisconsin.  Applicants must possess a working vehicle, smartphone, computer, and the ability to work from home or remotely with stable internet access, as well as store some WIARA materials. 

Duties

The Executive Director will work alongside the Board of Directors, national-level Alliance for Retired Americans staff, partner unions, and the part time Executive Assistant to: 

Represent the interests of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retire Americans.

Lead the Alliance efforts to build the Wisconsin Alliance membership, leadership and volunteer capacity to meet the benchmarks set forth by the Wisconsin Alliance Board.

Work with the Wisconsin Alliance Board to develop and implement unified strategic plans and budgets for the Wisconsin Alliance.
Work with partners in organized labor as well as appropriate regional, state and local constituency groups and like-minded organizations to build structures for successful and sustainable mobilization that strengthen the Wisconsin Alliance educational, organizing and legislative advocacy efforts.

Provide effective support and leadership to Wisconsin Alliance leaders.

Building for Action: 

Identify and recruit Alliance chapters and activists in Wisconsin

Work with existing Alliance leadership and other leaders in Wisconsin to develop and execute an organizing plan to strengthen the Wisconsin Alliance’s grassroots program and structure

Promote Legislative Agenda:

Draft Wisconsin Alliance legislative agenda for Board approval, track legislation of interest and voting records on these issues and disseminate this information to Wisconsin Alliance membership

Work with Wisconsin Alliance leaders and activists to speak at rallies, demonstrations and press events; visit, write or call legislators; and speak publicly about the importance of the Wisconsin Alliance’s legislative agenda

Prepare and disseminate press releases, talking points, statements, position letters and other written materials

Assist with turnout for lobby days, rallies and other events

Coordinate state efforts on specific projects around particular legislation or organizing priorities as directed by the Wisconsin Alliance Board

Create educational literature and disseminate these materials or materials provided by the national Alliance or coalition partners to Wisconsin Alliance membership and the retiree community at-large

Coordinate with organized labor and progressive advocacy groups on common state legislative priorities

Events:

Plan and facilitate Conventions and annual gatherings

Plan and facilitate Legislative Conferences 

Plan issue-related events such as, but not limited to, anniversary events (Social Security, Medicare, etc.)

Fundraising:

Develop and implement a fundraising strategy to meet income goals set by the Wisconsin Alliance Board
Collect affiliate and State-Sustaining dues and recruit new State-Sustaining members
Engage in direct-donor fundraising to support Wisconsin Alliance operations 
Work with Alliance leaders to promote special events with ticket sales, ad sales and other fundraising events, including the annual fall Power Lunch
Explore grant funding for Wisconsin Alliance’s educational activities
Act as a liaison to the national Alliance for Retired Americans and coordinate Wisconsin Alliance participation in national initiatives and programs as approved by the Wisconsin Alliance President and Wisconsin Alliance Board.
Other duties as assigned

Skills and Competencies:

Competency with Google Suite of products (gmail, google sheets, google docs)

Familiarity with Quickbooks

Demonstrated history of managing social media (our main platform is Facebook)

Knowledge and experience with working with the retiree community

Experience training staff and/or volunteers

Knowledge of and experience with both national and local structures of the labor movement

Demonstrated ability to lead and support organizational improvement efforts

Experience in developing, implementing and driving community mobilization strategies

Demonstrated effectiveness in writing and implementing strategic work plans in coordination with leaders that incorporate role and responsibilities of state and local federations

Ability to administer a large and complex organization

Working knowledge of the legislative process

Ability to manage campaigns both large and small

Familiarity with non-profit organizational management and fundraising

Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills including public speaking

Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks, and demonstrated experience in developing campaign and personal work plans and goals

Computer proficiency is required for e-mail, internet, word processing, spreadsheet/database and social media skills.

Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts while maintaining important and effective relationships
Ability to travel on a regular basis as needed

**We are encouraging all candidates to apply. Some skills and competencies listed here that a particular candidate does not possess can be taught to a candidate that is promising in other areas.  

Salary and Benefits 

The WIARA Executive Director will be paid $22,620 per year, which is a salary that asks for approximately 16 hours per week, although hours may vary depending on organizational need.  The Executive Director will also receive $50 per month to cover phone costs, and $3,000 per year as a vehicle and gas stipend. 

How to Apply

To apply, please email a cover letter and a resume that includes 3 references to [email protected].