Private Sector Human Services (PSHS) Co-Director

ABOUT SEIU LOCAL 509

SEIU Local 509 is a fast-growing, progressive union representing over 28,000 state workers, human service workers, higher education faculty and family child care providers in Massachusetts. In the current political environment, the union has a steadfast vision to increase participation and power among its rank-and-file membership.

SEIU Local 509 is part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), one of the largest and fastest-growing labor unions in the United States.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Local is in a time of unprecedented growth, and as part of it, we are implementing a multi-year staffing plan to build our capacity for the fights ahead. This is a new management position that will share supervisory responsibility for the Private Sector Human Services (PSHS) team. When fully staffed, this is a team of nine internal organizers, including two leads.

Our 9,000 PSHS members work in direct care, mental health, and elder services at various nonprofit agencies. This division, at the time of writing, encompasses 40 separate contracts.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Mentor and supervise staff. Offer support and accountability to the team through individual check-ins, team meetings, regular debriefs, and accompaniment in the field and/or at bargaining tables.
• Develop and implement division-wide plans for member growth, bargaining and contract campaigns, political action, social justice goals, and other internal organizing projects as needed.
• Support and/or execute contract, fightback, and issue campaigns; this will involve close coordination with external organizing, political, communications, legal, data, and other departments of the Local.
• Determine coverage and/or personally cover representation, organizing, and negotiation responsibilities in times of staffing need.
• Research and share professional development opportunities relevant to staff.
• Create internal tracking documents to measure progress toward goals.
• Set bargaining standards and coordinated bargaining demands in collaboration with the private sector chapter leadership, members, and staff.
• Collaborate with external organizing in efforts to build power within the private human services field.
• Represent the Local in external matters, including meetings with other labor, community, and political organizations, employers, and state agencies as needed.
• Periodically review internal systems and processes for efficiency and work with other members of the senior staff to revise them as necessary.
• Perform related work and union-wide duties as required and assigned.
• Specific duties may change at the direction of the respective supervisor and/or President of the Local.

TEAM AND SUPERVISION:

As a manager, responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, training, assigning, delegating, evaluating, promoting, transferring, investigating, disciplining, and terminating, as needed.

While listed as a Co-Director, this position may be sole director or deputy based on experience and fit.

This position will report either to the Field Director or (in the case of a Deputy Director) to the Director of Private Sector Human Services.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This job is based in our Marlborough, MA office and often requires in-person work at member work sites, but may also work remotely as appropriate. Frequent travel within Massachusetts and occasional out-of-state travel is required. Working long hours, evenings, and weekends is often necessary; the baseline expectation is to work 37.5 hours across 5 days each week.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Attending various outdoor events, sometimes for a full working day, even in potentially uncomfortable (but not unsafe) weather.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Required:
  • Experience with the duties of internal organizing, including representation, bargaining, and member recruitment and development.
  • Contract negotiation skills, especially experience as a lead negotiator.
  • Experience designing and executing contract campaigns.
  • Knowledge of United States and Massachusetts labor laws.
  • Basic computer skills and a willingness to learn new technologies.
  • Willingness to work nights and weekends, including travel throughout the state and some out of state travel.
• Preferred:
  • Experience with supervision and staff development.
  • Experience managing a geographically dispersed workforce.
  • Familiarity with Massachusetts politics and geography.
  • Knowledge of national trends in the labor movement and the Local’s constituencies.
  • Fluency in another language prevalent in our membership (Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole).
  • Experience working as a rank-and-file member in private sector human services

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

There are many qualities that make up an ideal candidate. You might be a perfect fit for this role if this describes you:

• Committed to the labor movement and progressive social change.
• Able to earn trust and build strong relationships across different teams.
• Able to work effectively with limited guidance, both independently and as part of a team.
• Able to accurately assess priorities and balance the progress of multiple short and long-term projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong technology skills (Google Apps, email, web-based apps, database usage).
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Discretion and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Highly organized and efficient, with meticulous attention to detail.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & LOCATION:

This is a full-time management position based in Marlborough, MA, with some flexibility for local remote work. The salary for the Co-Director position is $120,372.80. Benefits include, at no cost to the employee: health insurance with FSA and HRA, dental insurance, short and long-term disability, a pension, an optional 401k, and generous paid time off.

Must have a driver's license, vehicle registration, and/or intent to purchase a vehicle. Our main office is located in Marlborough, MA, and the position will require travel around the state.

SEIU Local 509 requires new employees to have a record of COVID-19 vaccination or a valid accommodation at the time of hire.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to this position, please submit an updated resume and a thoughtfully written cover letter to jobapplication@seiu509.org and indicate “PSHS Co-Director” in the subject line. The application deadline is April 10, 2026.

We want to interview the best candidates for our organization. If you think you have the skills to fill the role and serve our mission, even if you don’t meet every qualification in the list, please consider applying. We review all applications thoroughly and are open to considering candidates from different backgrounds.

If you would like to request accommodation during the interview process, please email hr@seiu509.org. Accommodation requests will be handled confidentially. Please do not send inquiries about the status of your application.

SEIU Local 509 is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, cultural heritage, ancestry, political belief, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability or veteran status. SEIU Local 509 is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and we are committed to making special accommodations for your interview or work as a member of our team.