SEIU Local 509
 

Chief of Staff

Based in Marlborough, MA

 

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. This position is part of the Local’s communications department. 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 OF POSITION
The Chief of Staff is a senior leadership role with primary responsibility for coordinating the programs and strategy of the union in collaboration with the President of the Local. This is a highly visible position that serves as a trusted advisor to union leadership and provides strategic guidance on policy, programs, campaigns, staffing, and organizational change. In addition to managing the daily operations of the union, the Chief of Staff coordinates with HR partners to support effective personnel management, IT partners to maintain and upgrade the Local’s infrastructure, and supervises members of the senior management team. Reporting directly to the President, the Chief of Staff ensures that the union’s workforce, systems, and practices are aligned with its mission and advance its strategic priorities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Supervise management staff, as directed by the President of the Local
• Direct strategic planning initiatives for the Local and membership
• Periodically review the Local's programmatic structure and operational policies for efficiency and lead organizational change when appropriate
• Coordinate with the Field Service Director to support the strategic goals of each chapter and sector and ensure continual progress
• Work with the President to coordinate functions among all departments to ensure member engagement is fully supported
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Local, as directed by the President of the Local
• Represent the Local in external matters as needed
• Serve as representative of the Local in labor-management matters and/or negotiations with the Local 509 Staff Union
• Collaborate with HR partners on personnel policies and the employee life cycle
• Consult with senior managers regarding department staffing needs
• Facilitate & supervise long-term projects involving multiple departments (e.g. major events, campaign coordination, change initiatives)
• Plan and direct monthly staff meetings and facilitate communication between senior leadership and staff at large
• Perform related work and union-wide duties as required
• Specific duties may change at the direction of the President of the Local

SUPERVISION:
You will report directly to the President of the Local. As a manager, you will directly supervise managers of the Local’s programmatic operations. You share supervisory authority for all Local 509 staff, which may include interviewing, hiring, training, assigning, delegating, evaluating, promoting, transferring, investigating, disciplining, and terminating, as needed, alongside the Local’s outsourced HR partner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
This job is based in our Marlborough, MA office, but may 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 & EXPERIENCE

• Required qualifications for a successful candidate include:
  • Experience as an organizational leader in a labor union context
  • Demonstrated experience in supervision and leadership development
  • Demonstrated success in change management and guiding teams and organizations through transitions or adopting new practices
  • Strong project management experience, with the ability to manage multiple short and long-term projects and make effective use of the union’s resources
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated experience building productive relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., staff, union members, leadership, consultants/vendors, ally organizations)
  • Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, particularly under pressure
  • Discretion and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality
  • Highly organized and efficient, with a meticulous attention to detail
  • Ability to consistently prioritize and deliver on job responsibilities independently and in a timely manner
  • High proficiency with Google Workspace (including Mail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets) and willingness to learn new tools
  • Commitment to working collaboratively in a unionized environment and to the principles and values of the labor movement
  • A team player who is comfortable pitching in during “all hands on deck” situations
  • Willingness to work long and irregular hours and travel within Massachusetts and out of state when necessary
• There are many qualities that make up an ideal candidate. You might be a perfect fit for this role if this also describes you:
  • Commitment to the labor movement and progressive social change
  • Experience as a union member and/or working in the labor movement
  • Familiarity with the basic principles of organizing, political action, and collective bargaining
  • Familiarity with Massachusetts politics
  • Familiarity with Massachusetts geography
  • Familiarity with the working conditions and issues of the Local's various constituencies, including public employees, human service workers, family childcare providers, and workers in higher education

COMPENSATION:
Salary is determined by the Local 509 budget: $126,369 annually as of the time of posting. 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 (3 weeks vacation to start, personal time, and sick time).

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 résumé and a thoughtfully written cover letter to jobapplication@seiu509.org and indicate “Chief of Staff” in the subject line. The application deadline is January 25, 2026.

Candidates who advance should expect in-person interviews with the hiring committee at our Marlborough, MA headquarters beginning in early February. The expected start date is mid to late March 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 many 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.