Political Director

**The American Association of University Professors (AAUP)**

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is a fast-growing union of higher education workers with 55,000 members at colleges and universities nationwide. We invite applications for a Political Director who is committed to building a powerful and democratic union and transforming higher education workers into a political force.

AAUP is uniting and mobilizing the higher education sector against increasing partisan attacks. We aim to protect college and university teaching and research, defend academic freedom, launch revenue campaigns to fund debt-free college, strengthen the higher education labor movement by forging cross-sector solidarity, and defend democracy itself against authoritarian encroachment.

In response to the current environment, AAUP is scaling up advocacy and electoral efforts. The Political Director will play a critical role in amplifying AAUP’s political efficacy.

We are looking for a Political Director who can build the power of our union by directing our PAC, engaging elected officials and candidates around our policy platform, and building organizational infrastructure. In consultation with the Executive Director and elected leaders, the Political Director will hire a team to analyze higher education policy issues, draft position papers and model bills, organize and train chapters to advocate for those positions at the state and federal levels, and represent AAUP to legislators, executive branch officials, and coalition partners.

The Political Director will play an important role in shaping AAUP’s government affairs objectives and will work cross-functionally within AAUP and in collaboration with coalition partners to achieve strategic objectives.

An ideal candidate combines experience working in a legislative branch office or an advocacy role with technical skills and expertise in using digital organizing and online engagement tools to effectively mobilize members in grassroots lobbying efforts.

The AAUP is committed to a diverse workforce and strives to create a workplace environment respectful of the many cultures of our employees and the higher education workers we represent, including African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Latinx, LGBTQI+-identified employees, and immigrants from various countries. The AAUP values the benefits that diversity brings to the faculty profession and the labor movement. We seek applicants whose experience and perspective will contribute to strong representation of our diverse members.

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**Duties and Responsibilities**

The position will include the following responsibilities:

* In consultation with elected leadership, develop legislative agendas and draft policy position papers outlining AAUP’s position on identified policy priorities, working cross-functionally within AAUP’s national office and with membership to refine, finalize, and publish position papers.
* In consultation with the Executive Director, hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate departmental staff.
* Monitor federal legislation and executive actions, as well as developments from advocacy organizations, think tanks, and key states, to inform policy positions and government affairs strategy.
* Foster relationships with members of Congress, their staff, and federal agencies to promote AAUP principles and advance organizational goals.
* Identify opportunities to comment on federal regulations and draft comment letters.
* Identify opportunities to testify or submit comments in federal or state legislative hearings, and support witnesses in drafting testimony and preparing for hearings.
* Advise on electoral priorities.
* Engage incumbents and/or candidates around AAUP’s platform in key priority districts.
* Represent AAUP in coalitions with labor unions and higher education advocacy organizations.
* Draft and share regular updates on federal government affairs for AAUP member communications, including action opportunities for local chapters.
* Coordinate and advise field staff engaging and mobilizing members in priority geographies.
* Work with staff and members to integrate federal legislative issues into organizing campaigns.
* Conduct workshops for AAUP members and chapter leaders on effective legislative strategy.
* Staff AAUP’s Committee on Government Relations, supporting member-leaders who guide advocacy priorities.
* Ensure racial justice and equity remain sustained priorities in AAUP’s policy agenda.
* Track and monitor state legislative and chapter advocacy activity.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

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**Required Qualifications**

* Five or more years of experience in a federal or state legislative office, government affairs, or advocacy.
* Demonstrated success designing and implementing grassroots legislative campaigns and lobbying efforts.
* Experience with digital political organizing tools.
* Strong written and oral communication skills, along with computer proficiency (including MS Office).
* Commitment to racial equity.
* Associate degree.
* Valid driver’s license.
* Ability to travel domestically approximately once per month.
* Ability to work evenings and weekends when required.

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**Preferred Qualifications**

* Experience working with labor unions.
* Expertise in higher education policy at the state or federal level.
* Experience working with diverse groups and individuals.
* Bachelor’s or advanced degree.

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities. Responsibilities may change or be added during the course of employment.

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**Compensation**

Salary range: $120,000 – $200,000.

AAUP offers a generous benefits package including:

* Health, dental, and vision insurance
* Paid sick days
* Paid vacation days
* 401(k)

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**Position Classification**

This is a regular, full-time Senior Program Officer position classified as management/supervisory and excluded from the staff bargaining unit. It is an exempt position and not eligible for overtime pay.

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**Work Location**

This position is based in the Washington, DC office, with an option for part-time telework.

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**To Apply**

To apply, please submit:

* Cover letter
* Resume
* Names and contact information for three references

All application materials are required:
[https://easyapply.co/job/political-director-1?rcid=aaup_external]

No phone calls or recruiters, please.

Review of applications will begin immediately. Full consideration will be given to applications submitted by March 31, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until April 16, 2026.

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**Equal Opportunity Statement**

The AAUP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on age, sex, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, homelessness, or other characteristics unrelated to professional performance.

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.