Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO

Executive Director

Based in Washington, DC

 

Union Veteran’s Council Executive Director
Washington, D.C. (Preferred)
Full-time, Exempt

Position Summary
The Executive Director will lead all facets of the Union Veterans Council’s organizational, legislative, and political programs. This includes managing daily operations, overseeing long-term strategy, driving veteran-centered policy and advocacy efforts, and representing the Union Veterans Council (UVC) both within the AFL-CIO structure and across national veteran and labor coalitions.

The Executive Director reports to the UVC Executive Board and is responsible for implementing its strategic vision, maintaining organizational compliance and transparency, and elevating the voices of working veterans in policy and public discourse.

Core Responsibilities

1. National Advocacy & AFL-CIO Integration
   • Serve as UVC’s principal representative to the AFL-CIO, ensuring alignment with labor movement priorities and constituency group efforts.
   • Lead UVC’s legislative advocacy on Capitol Hill, including coalition coordination, testimony, and lobbying on key issues affecting veterans in the workforce.
   • Engage on policy related to the VA (including VHA and VBA), veterans' employment, federal workforce protections, and DEIA-related programming.
2. Organizational Development & Network Expansion
   • Support and expand UVC chapters at the state and local levels in partnership with state federations, CLCs, and affiliate unions.
   • Build and sustain veteran programs within affiliate unions, assisting in the development of internal veteran committees and mentorship structures.
   • Oversee efforts to grow UVC’s membership, both in numbers and diversity, and ensure local chapters and union allies are resourced to lead veteran organizing efforts.
3. Political & Electoral Engagement
   • Design and implement strategic political programs to support pro-union veteran candidates at all levels of government.
   • Coordinate with labor political departments and progressive coalitions to ensure UVC is integrated into campaign efforts and GOTV programs.
   • Maintain and protect UVC’s nonpartisan structure while serving as a political force for union values and veteran support.
4. Board & Administrative Leadership
   • Prepare and deliver timely reports to the UVC Executive and Governing Boards.
   • Organize regular board meetings and support board-driven strategic planning.
   • Serve as chair of the Workforce Development Subcommittee and coordinate with national stakeholders on apprenticeships, DoD SkillBridge, and veteran transition initiatives.
5. Communications & Digital Infrastructure
   • Maintain and update UVC’s public-facing communications platforms, including website, social media, and earned media outreach.
   • Draft op-eds, legislative letters, press statements, and other communications that elevate veteran stories and organizational priorities.
   • Support rapid response efforts to engage with current events affecting veterans or the labor movement.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Deep understanding of union structures, AFL-CIO governance, and the intersection of labor and veterans’ policy.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the interests of working-class veterans through organizing, advocacy, and coalition-building.
• Proficiency with communications tools, including social media management, email marketing software, graphic design platforms (e.g., Canva or Adobe Suite), and web content management systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; capable of preparing professional reports, persuasive content, and board-facing documentation.
• High degree of political agility and strategic thinking, including the ability to navigate a complex stakeholder environment with limited staff or resources.
• Experience in planning events, convenings, or campaigns with grassroots components.

Minimum Qualifications

• Military veteran with an honorable discharge.
• Union member in good standing, preferably with leadership experience in union programs or campaigns.
• At least five years of experience in political, advocacy, organizing, or nonprofit leadership roles.
• Familiarity with the challenges facing modern veterans, particularly as they relate to employment, healthcare, and economic justice.

Writing Sample Requirement
To better understand each candidate’s communication approach and leadership perspective, all applicants must submit three writing samples. Each sample should be written in their own voice and reflect how they would communicate as Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council:

1. Legislative Letter – A letter to Congress urging opposition to a proposed budget that would cut veterans’ benefits or services.
2. Member Email – A sample email to the UVC membership explaining what’s at stake in the budget and how members can take action.
3. Press Release – A media statement from UVC responding to the proposed budget cuts and outlining the Council’s position and call to action.

These materials should demonstrate both messaging strategy and policy understanding, and will be used to assess the candidate’s ability to lead from the front in advocacy, organizing, and public engagement.

Salary: $105,000.00 – $120,000.00

Apply here: https://aflcio.exacthire.com/

Equal Opportunity Employer