Arizona Education Association

Campaigns and Elections Director

Based in Phoenix, AZ

 

Position: AEA Campaigns and Elections Director
Date of Posting: September 2, 2025
Close of Posting: Until Filled, First Application Review September 12, 2025
Staff Relationship: Reports to the Senior Director of Public Affairs

Application:
Please submit your cover letter, résumé, and 3 professional references to: 

Nicole Adams, Executive Assistant to Governance & Management 
Nicole.Adams@arizonaea.org

Should your résumé generate further interest, AEA will send you an Employment Application. This completed application must be submitted for further consideration of employment.

The Campaigns and Elections Director leads the Arizona Education Association’s (AEA) issue organizing and political campaign efforts at the local, legislative, and statewide levels. This role focuses on growing inclusive membership, improving retention, and expanding political activism among members.

The Director advises the AEA Fund Council and other governance bodies on campaign strategy, supports local associations in electoral work, and serves as the primary liaison to the AEA Retired local. In addition, the role coordinates closely with NEA staff, labor partners, and community coalitions to advance AEA’s mission of ensuring high-quality public education for all Arizona students.

This is a strategic, team-centered role that requires strong knowledge of campaigns, coalition building, and member engagement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Representing AEA in political, labor, and grassroots coalitions
• Leading trainings for members and staff on elections and PACs
• Collaborating with AEA Field Organizational Consultants (OC) to support locals with active campaigns
• Collaborate with NEA Campaign and Elections team on all electoral and legislative advocacy campaigns/projects
• Oversee electoral grants and programs and member engagement

Qualifications Required:

• Knowledge of the Arizona labor and political landscape and grassroots partners
• Knowledge of campaign finance laws and PAC operation
• Knowledge of direct candidate, ballot, and independent expenditure campaign laws
• Knowledge of electoral organizing tools, including VAN, Mobilize, Hustle, and others, used for voter outreach
• Experience building and executing electoral, ballot measure, member, and voter outreach field plans
• Strong commitment to the labor movement and to public education
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours, including weekends
• Experience designing and delivering campaign training for adults
• Understanding of membership-based organizations, especially unions
• Ability to plan and coordinate grassroots and electoral campaigns

Key Responsibilities and Preferred Core Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Over 5 years of experience working in political campaigns and elections.
• Leading local and statewide campaigns, including school board, bond/override, and ballot initiatives
• Organizing grassroots efforts and supporting PAC fundraising and compliance
• Representing AEA in coalitions and building relationships with political, labor, and community partners
• Delivering training on elections, organizing, and PAC strategy
• Collaborating with internal teams to advance AEA’s political and legislative goals
• Campaign and legislative strategy knowledge
• Community organizing and coalition building
• Demonstrated use of sound professional judgment.
• Fundraising and PAC development
• Strong communication and public messaging skills
• Bilingual or Spanish speaking 
• Ability to train, collaborate, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Other duties as assigned

Compensation and Benefits
This is a bargaining unit position with a Salary based on experience and proven track record in the area of member recruitment. Excellent comprehensive benefits package provided-- including health, dental, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid sick, personal, and vacation leave.

The Arizona Education Association is an equal opportunity employer with an affirmative action employment program. Candidates from communities of color and women are encouraged to apply. The Arizona Education Association is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. AEA will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.