California Coalition for Worker Power Executive Director

About the Coalition

The California Coalition for Worker Power (CCWP) is a growing coalition of worker centers, worker advocates, labor policy experts, and labor unions dedicated to ensuring that every worker in California has the power to collectively improve their workplaces and communities. We believe that all work is valuable and that all working people must have a voice in order for California to succeed in creating a more just and equitable society. Our core strategies include policy advocacy, strategic campaigns, building organizing capacity, and creating movement infrastructure. Our accomplishments include passing and implementing The Anti-Retaliation and Equal Pay Act (2023).

Position Overview

The Executive Director (ED) will direct strategy, serve as spokesperson and operational leader, and anchor the fundraising team of the California Coalition for Worker Power. The ED will guide the vision, cultivate strong partnerships, oversee operations, manage staff, and work closely with coalition leadership and member organizations to advance our shared strategy and build our infrastructure.

This is a unique opportunity for a bold, collaborative, and movement-oriented leader to grow and strengthen a coalition that is reshaping labor power in the 21st century.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of long-term strategies to build worker power in California.
• Work in close collaboration with coalition members to align priorities and ensure accountability to the broader labor movement.
• Represent the coalition publicly to media, funders, policymakers, and allied movements.

Coalition Building & Member Engagement

• Expand and sustain the coalition, in partnership with the Steering Committee.
• Foster deep, trust-based relationships with diverse member organizations. Manage structures for shared leadership, decision-making, and conflict resolution. Maintain a high level of member engagement, transparency, and responsiveness.

Organizational Development & Management

• Oversee all aspects of organizational development, including budgeting, staff hiring and supervision, fundraising, and compliance. Oversee annual workplan and budget process.
• Lead a strong, values-driven staff team. Maintain a healthy, inclusive, and equitable organizational culture.

Fundraising & Financial Stewardship

• Develop and execute fundraising strategies, including foundation grants, major donors, and institutional partnerships.
• Ensure sound financial management and long-term sustainability.

Program Oversight

• Ensure that programs advance strategies to build organizing capacity, advance and implement policies that support organizing, and align the broader labor movement.
• Supervise the Campaign Director to plan and implement campaigns that build worker power at the local, state, and/or national level.

Required Qualifications

• 10-15 years of experience and proven track record of leadership in labor or grassroots organizing that builds a base.
• Deep commitment to racial, economic, and gender justice.
• Strong experience in coalition leadership and collaborative governance.
• Demonstrated success in managing staff, operations, and finances.
• Experience with organizational leadership, campaigns (policy, worksite organizing, etc), and strategic planning.
• Fundraising experience, especially with foundations.
• Familiarity with worker organizing models and the broader progressive ecosystem.
• Humility, curiosity, emotional intelligence, and a deep belief in collective power.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with worker organizing
• Excellent communication including public speaking
• Knowledge of laws governing California workplaces
• Experience fundraising from major donors
• Proficiency in Spanish and/or other languages spoken by California workers

Work Environment & Compensation

• This is a full-time, exempt position.
• Some travel and evening/weekend hours are required.
• The coalition supports flexible work arrangements and a remote-friendly culture.
• Salary ranges from $130,000 to $150,000 depending on experience. Includes healthcare, retirement contributions, and generous paid leave.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and three references to jorge@californiaworkerpower.org. Candidates will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

• This is a full-time, exempt position.
• Some travel and evening/weekend hours are required.
• The coalition supports flexible work arrangements and a remote-friendly culture.
• Salary ranges from $130,000 to $150,000 depending on experience. Includes healthcare, retirement contributions, and generous paid leave.

Proficiency in Spanish and/or other languages spoken by California workers