Political Director

American Association of University Professors

Department of Research and Public Policy

Political Director—Hybrid position based in Washington, D.C.

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 ed 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 the 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 achieve a workplace environment respectful of the many cultures of our own employees and the higher education workers we represent, including a significant number of African-American, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, and Latinx employees, as well as LGBTQl-identified employees, and those who have immigrated 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

The position will include the following responsibilities:

• In consultation with elected leadership, develop legislative agendas and draft policy position papers to outline 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, new developments from advocacy organizations and think tanks, and high-profile policy developments in key states to inform policy positions and overall government affairs strategy.
• Foster relationships with members of Congress and their staffs and with 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 otherwise 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 a focused number of key priority districts.
• Represent AAUP in coalition with other labor unions and higher education advocacy organizations on issues of shared concern.
• Draft and share regular updates on federal government affairs for AAUP member communications, including opportunities for local chapters to take action.
• Coordinate and advise field staff who will engage and mobilize members in priority geographies.
• Work with staff and members to integrate federal-level legislative issues into organizing campaigns
• Conduct workshops for AAUP members and chapter leaders on effective legislative strategy.
• Staff the AAUP’s Committee on Government Relations (i.e., support member-leaders who guide AAUP’s advocacy priorities).
• Attend to racial justice and other matters of equity in higher education to ensure they are sustained priorities in AAUP’s policy agenda.
• Track and monitor state legislative activity and chapter advocacy activity.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Five or more years of work experience in a federal or state legislative office, government affairs, or advocacy.
• Demonstrable success designing and implementing grassroots legislative campaigns/lobbying efforts.
• Experience working with digital political organizing tools.
• Superior written and oral communication skills and computer proficiency skills—including familiarity with MS Office.
• Commitment to racial equity.
• Associate degree.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to travel domestically approximately once per month for meetings with elected leaders, chapter members, and field staff.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours when required for events, travel, or deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with labor unions.
• Expertise in higher education policy at the state or federal level.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse groups and individuals.
• BA or advanced degree.

This job description is not designed or intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change, or new ones may be assigned during the course of employment.

Compensation 

Salary range: $120,000 – $200,000. AAUP offers a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance; paid sick days; paid vacations days; and 401(K).

Position Classification

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

Work Location

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

To Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and include the names and contact information of three references; all application material are required. No phone calls or recruiters please. Review of applications will begin immediately. Full consideration of applications will be given to applications submitted by March 31, 2026. If necessary, applications submitted after March 31, 2026 may be considered on a rolling basis until April 16, 2026.

The AAUP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of 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. (EEO Know Your Rights | Family Medical Leave Act).

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.