Arizona Education Association

Political Liaison

Based in Phoenix, AZ

 

Position: AEA Political Liaison 
Date of Posting:
Application Deadline: 
Reports to: Senior Director of Public Affairs
Location: In person: Arizona Education Association Headquarters, 345 E. Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004

How to Apply
Please submit your résumé, cover letter, and 3 references to:

Ms. Nicole Adams
Arizona Education Association
Email: nicole.adams@arizonaea.org

Position Summary
The AEA Political Liaison leads and coordinates the Arizona Education Association’s political, electoral, and ballot-measure efforts across the state. This role serves as AEA’s primary link to Arizona’s political, labor, electoral and community partners—ensuring that AEA’s voice, priorities, and members are fully represented in coalition spaces and at political decision-making tables.

This position represents AEA at the Ballot Initiative Table providing direct communication to AEA leadership on strategy, decisions, and progress within education-related ballot-measure coalitions. The Political Liaison works closely with AEA Staff to strengthen member political engagement and support AEA’s signature-gathering and ballot-measure goals.

This is a strategic, outward-facing role that requires deep knowledge of Arizona’s electoral landscape, strong relationships with labor partners, and proven experience in campaign leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as AEA’s primary political and labor liaison, representing the association in coalitions, electoral, ballot-initiative tables, and strategic partnerships.
• Act as AEA’s Ballot Initiative Liaison, providing regular updates to AEA leadership and aligning AEA strategy with coalition work.
• Support local associations in candidate campaigns, bonds/overrides, ballot-measure efforts, and member political engagement.
• Work with Field OCs to help mobilize local membership toward meeting AEA’s signature-gathering goals and participation in statewide ballot efforts.
• Provide campaign training and political education for members, leaders, and staff.
• Collaborate with AEA Field Organizational Consultants and NEA Campaigns & Elections teams.
• Oversee electoral programs, voter-engagement efforts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Arizona political leaders, labor organizations, and grassroots partners.
• Assist with political strategy development for the AEA Fund Council and governance bodies.
• Manage multiple campaigns and priorities in a fast-paced political environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Strong relationships with senior labor leadership in Arizona.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a labor-union–driven ballot measure.
• Strong knowledge of Arizona’s political, labor, and electoral landscape.
• Experience working with labor partners, political coalitions, and grassroots organizations.
• Strong commitment to public education and the labor movement.
• Experience providing campaign or political training.
• Willingness to work extended or irregular hours, including weekends.
• Understanding of membership-based organizations, especially unions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in political, electoral, or ballot-measure campaigns.
• Demonstrated leadership in a labor-union–driven ballot-measure campaign.
• Strong interpersonal relationships with Arizona’s senior labor and grassroots leadership.
• Experience leading local or statewide campaigns (candidate, bond/override, or ballot initiative).
• Strong communication, messaging, and public-speaking skills.
• Experience designing and executing field plans for candidate races and ballot measures.
• Bilingual/Spanish speaking preferred.
• Proficiency with tools such as VAN, Mobilize, Hustle, or similar organizing platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong judgment and strategic focus.

Salary & Benefits
This is a bargaining-unit position. Salary is based on experience and demonstrated campaign effectiveness. AEA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, life insurance, 401(k), and paid sick, personal, and vacation leave.