PSU-AAUP
Portland State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors

Executive Director
Organizing, Membership, and Strategic Communications

Based at Portland State University, Portland, OR

 

Portland State University’s American Association of University Professors (AAUP) chapter seeks an experienced higher ed organizer and communications strategist to join its executive leadership team.

Executive Director: Organizing, Membership, and Strategic Communications
This is a full-time position and an exciting opportunity at a challenging and critical time in AAUP, in higher education, and in the labor movement. The ideal candidate will be ideologically aligned with union work and have strong interpersonal communication skills. Listening with empathy, being responsive to diverse member needs, and being flexible with a willingness to learn are core dispositions needed to be successful in this role.

The Executive Director: Organizing, Membership, and Strategic Communication’s primary responsibilities are aligned with organizing, membership, and strategic communication. The Director will work in close collaboration with other PSU-AAUP staff members– the Administrative Director and the Executive Director: Contract Enforcement & Bargaining–and with elected member leaders. This collaborative work necessitates flexibility, creativity, and the ability to step in and out of roles as needed to provide support and assistance to the Executive Leadership Team.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our qualifications. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.

This position reports to the Executive Council, with daily supervision provided by the President.

Who we are:
The Portland State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (PSU-AAUP) is a strong and healthy union chapter. Chartered in 1978, PSU-AAUP represents about 1,200 bargaining unit members consisting of instructional and research faculty, as well as academic professionals. It is one of four bargaining units at Portland State University (PSU). PSU-AAUP is also a member of AAUP-Oregon, and recently became affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), including the Oregon AFT federation and the national organization.

PSU-AAUP is committed to an organizing model of union work. The strength of our union lies in the energies and collective power of its membership. Information about our union’s governance documents and organizational model can be found on our website: https://psuaaup.net.

Portland State University is in the heart of downtown Portland, Oregon. PSU an urban public university that serves over 23,000 students and is designated as an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Mentor and train members and member leaders in all aspects of organizing and communications
• Responsible for growing membership, fostering member leader development, and engagement of the broad membership with the Association
• Facilitate development and implementation of issue and contract campaigns in collaboration with the Executive Director: Contract Enforcement & Bargaining and Executive Council
• Provide expertise in, develop, execute, and assess communication strategies for contract and organizing campaigns
• Communicate with members and potential members through emails, text, phone calls, and site visits
• Plan, coordinate, and execute membership engagement events including new hire orientation, union-specific new employee orientations, general membership meetings, Unit rep meetings and AAUP leadership gatherings in collaboration with elected member leaders
• Collaborate with PSU’s various Unions’ leadership (Graduate Employees Union, Portland State University Faculty Association, SEIU Local 89) and outside community allies in organizing campaigns
• Develop, execute, and assess short and long-term organizing and communications campaigns with elected member leaders
• Assist other staff and leaders with contract enforcement and grievance casework as needed
• Manage and analyze membership data in collaboration with Administrative Director
• Coordinate with PSU-AAUP leadership and other staff on projects and long-range planning
• Backfill for elected member leaders when necessary
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and knowledge, experience, and background in higher education
• Five or more years of organizing and/or labor relations experience with member-based organizing; or any combination of experience that enables the ability to perform the work
• Demonstrated commitment to empowering workers through the labor movement
• Demonstrated commitment to socioeconomic justice to the benefit of members
• Strong writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Experience working on contract campaigns
• Experience developing and implementing a strategic plan for organizing and lead campaigns on a range of issues in coordination with member organizers and Executive Council
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diversity of roles and people with lived experiences in the PSU community
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, effectively lead others, and achieve goals
• Strong data management skills and attention to detail
• Strong planning, time-management, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated marketing and advertising strategy knowledge
• Willingness to work nights and weekends, as required
• Experience with common communications and office technologies. Examples include but are not limited to: Dropbox, Google workspace, Microsoft office, Adobe professional, Canva, MailChimp, Action Network, Salesforce, etc.
• Experience tracking and assessing organizing and escalating communications campaigns

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree and experience teaching, conducting research, or directly serving students in higher education; or any combination of education and experience that demonstrates a level of expertise sufficient to perform the position
• Experience working with budgets or understanding of university finances
• A thorough understanding of higher education policy and issues
• Familiarity with varying positions and needs of differing employment groups (Tenure Track Faculty, Non-tenure Track Faculty, Research faculty, Academic Professionals)
• Knowledge of labor laws
• Previous union membership and leadership strongly preferred
• Experience in contract enforcement
• Grievance handling in a union setting or comparable legal work

Salary and Benefits
Salary begins at $75,000 and can be negotiated commensurate with experience. PSU-AAUP offers an excellent benefits package including generous health insurance, vacation, sick time, and retirement contributions. Yearly cost of living adjustments as well as longevity increases are also part of Association policy.

To Apply
Submit résumé and cover letter by email to president@psuaaup.net. Please include “Executive Director: Member Organizing-YOUR NAME” in the subject line and include the names and contact information of 3 professional references. This position is open until filled. We will begin reviewing applications on October 31, 2023.