Manager

General Description
The California Teachers Association (CTA), one of the state’s largest and most dynamic labor unions, seeks a Manager for its Training & Strategic Initiatives Department. This department expands the reach of and systematizes unionwide organizing and campaign training; aligns these programs with CTA’s strategic goals; and collaborates with regional/department teams on strategic initiatives such as organizing grant programs, multi-local campaigns, and new organizing drives among charter educators.

As part of CTA’s management team, the Manager works with members, staff, and fellow managers to advance CTA’s mission. The position supervises department staff and oversees the design, curricula, and implementation of member and staff training programs as well as special initiatives that build union capacity in site-based organizing, bargaining and contract campaigns. The Manager leads and ensures department programs are aligned with CTA priorities, developed collaboratively with regional/department field structures, and effectively drive strategies and action plan timelines toward shared goals.

Deep experience with union organizing and contract campaigns, high-level knowledge of labor education practices, and a demonstrated commitment to the labor movement and public education are essential.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead a cohesive, education-for-action approach to member and staff training in organizing, collective bargaining, contract campaigns, political education, and other assigned areas in order to build strong locals, organized worksites, and winning campaigns.
• Collaborate with the Office of the Executive Director, Regional Managers, and field teams to design and deliver local, regional, and statewide training and strategic projects that establish site-based organizing structures and increase successful high-participation local campaigns.
• Expand training access for local chapter and site leaders by delivering aligned core curricula using a train-the-trainer model and regularly scheduled regional/local programs.
• Coordinate strategic projects and campaigns – like multi-local contract campaigns, issue campaigns, and grant programs – that marshal expertise and support collaborative, successful implementation across regions/departments.
• Lead, collaboratively plan, and supervise campaigns, special projects, and strategic initiatives assigned to the department.
• Foster a union culture grounded in site-based organizing and a collective action approach to drive high-participation campaigns, at the local and state level, that deliver concrete union wins.
• Integrate popular education methods and participatory adult learning practices into curricula and materials.
• Ensure training tools, materials, and curricula align with CTA Communications and Research Division’s messaging and campaign communications as well as the overall regional field program’s goals.
• Oversee assigned conferences, ensuring they are innovative, creative, and advance the union’s vision, goals, and priorities.
• Supervise staff performance, provide constructive feedback, conduct evaluations, and develop team members’ professional growth.
• Track and evaluate progress and outcomes on all projects, programs, and campaigns producing status reports and recommendations.
• Effectively manage department logistics, budgets, staff assignments, contracts, project timelines, and resource allocation.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications - Minimum Required

• Bachelor's or higher degree preferred.
• Extensive experience leading large teams and projects in fast-paced, dynamic situations, such as contract campaigns, coordinated campaigns, strikes, union organizing drives, representational elections, and political campaigns.
• Proven ability to design and deliver union organizing curricula and leadership development efforts that advance power-building principles and campaign goals.
• Demonstrated experience leading and organizing large-scale campaigns and programs.
• Strong record of creating and managing multiple projects under tight deadlines from idea to initiation through completion and follow-up.
• Experience supervising and/or leading staff and collaborating across departments and roles in large, complex organizations.
• Excels under pressure in a rapidly changing environment; adaptable, flexible and proactive; maintains a relentless drive to surpass goals with the tenacity to tackle challenges head-on.
• Demonstrated support for racial, social, and economic justice; worker's’ rights; and a well-funded public education system.
• Ability to communicate clearly, verbally and in writing.
• Deep understanding of the issues facing public schools, the education profession, and the broader labor movement.
• Successful new unit organizing experience under intense employer anti-union conditions is strongly preferred.
• Computer proficiency and the ability to learn and use the Association's software programs.
• Willingness to work long hours and travel regularly, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver's license.