Pennsylvania Democratic Party Political Director Harrisburg, PA · Full time Company website

Apply for Political Director

About the Pennsylvania Democratic Party

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party (PADP) is committed to electing Democrats at every level of government and building a strong, inclusive organization across the Commonwealth. The Political Director of Pennsylvania Democratic Party will work directly with the Executive Director to develop a political plan, collaborate with Party, Federal, State, County and Local candidates and elected leaders to build political power across the state.

Position Summary

The Political Director serves as a senior member of the Party's leadership team and works closely with the Executive Director, Chair and Vice-Chair, Coordinated Campaign Director, Organizing Department, Communications Department, and Data Team to advance the Party's strategic objectives.

Core Responsibilities:

• Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including elected officials, party leaders, labor partners, coalition organizations, grassroots activists, and community leaders, working to align interests with the Party's priorities and resolve conflicts when they arise.
• Serve as a member of the Party's Senior Leadership Team.
• Hire, supervise, and develop political staff located throughout Pennsylvania.
• Work with the Executive Director to support Democratic candidates and campaigns across the Commonwealth.
• Serve as the Party's primary liaison to Democratic elected officials.
• Serve as a liaison to the Democratic National Committee on activities occurring in Pennsylvania, coordinating with relevant stakeholders and keeping the Executive Director informed of significant developments, opportunities, and needs.
• Monitor political developments in key federal, statewide, legislative, and judicial races, identifying emerging opportunities and risks.
• Serve as the lead staff liaison for the Vice Chair's political activities, coordinating appearances, meetings, events, and stakeholder engagement opportunities while ensuring appropriate preparation and follow-up. Support the Chair's political engagements and stakeholder activities as directed by the Executive Director.
• Maintain and expand databases of key political, governmental, labor, coalition, and community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Coordinated Campaign Director to ensure effective political outreach and stakeholder engagement for campaign and Party events.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Coordinated Campaign Director to build and leverage relationships in support of the Coordinated Campaign's Coalitions Program.
• Support strategic planning for municipal, county, legislative, judicial, congressional, and statewide elections.
• Coordinate elected official engagement for major Party initiatives, conventions, meetings, trainings, public events, and surrogate programs.
• Assist in the planning and execution of principal trips, surrogate visits, and other high-profile political events in coordination with statewide campaigns.
• Develop opportunities for elected officials to participate in Party fundraising, volunteer engagement, voter outreach, candidate support, and Party-building activities.
• Partner with the Director of Party Affairs and Deputy Director of Party Affairs to ensure elected officials are integrated into Party programs, operations, and organizational priorities.
• Provide strategic support to Party Affairs initiatives when elected official engagement is required.
• Coordinate with Party Affairs regarding county party concerns, local political developments, and stakeholder opportunities.
• Refer county committee governance, organizational development, compliance, and internal Party matters to the Party Affairs team while remaining informed of significant political developments.
• Build and maintain trackers, reporting systems, contact lists, and other internal political infrastructure.
• Represent the Party at meetings, conferences, trainings, and political events throughout the Commonwealth.
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information and exercise sound political judgment and discretion.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• At least three (3) years experience working in Democratic Politics with a Party Organization or Campaign;
• Demonstrated experience working with an organization’s governing bodies;
• Possess a strong knowledge of how a State Democratic Party operates;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships in a statewide position;
• Self-motivated with the ability and creativity to solve problems as they arise;
• Proficiency with traditional office and campaign software including: VoteBuilder, Google Suite, Zoom, and Microsoft Office;
• Reliable transportation and the ability/willingness to travel statewide as needed;
• A working knowledge of election deadlines and general campaign operations.