Program Manager, Research & Strategy, Racial Justice Center

Program Manager, Research & Strategy, Racial Justice Center

SEIU (Service Employees International Union)

GRADE: MGT D ANNUAL SALARY: $108,104.86 LOCATION: All USA or Washington, DC HQ

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: We are the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a union of about 2 million diverse members in healthcare, the public sector, and property services. We believe in and fight for our Vision for a Just Society: where all workers are valued and all people respected, no matter where we come from or what color we are; where all families and communities can thrive; and where we leave a better and more equitable world for generations to come. We are an anti-racist union determined to check corporate power and uproot structural racism through unions, worker power, collective action, and government, legislative, and political action. We fight for Unions for All and a Government that Works for All so that all of us, across race and place, can have power together in unions and participate fully in our democracy.

ABOUT THE RACIAL JUSTICE CENTER: The Racial Justice Center (RJC) was established in 2017 to anchor SEIU's conviction that racial justice is fundamental to building union power and achieving economic justice. The RJC is now poised to move into a new chapter of its work. In this next phase, the RJC will serve as a strategy partner, supporting SEIU to integrate racial justice across campaigns and programs. The RJC will drive systemic change through research and analysis to inform SEIU's campaign strategies to build power to win Unions for All and end poverty wages forever, writing new rules so that all workers, of every race and from every place, can organize across employers, industries, sectors, and geographies.

PURPOSE: SEIU is seeking an experienced applied researcher and strategist to deepen the union's understanding of the racial histories, economic conditions, policies, institutional practices, and industry trends shaping the sectors where SEIU members work and organize.

The Program Manager will lead race-class, historical, sector, and emerging-issues research; develop clear findings and strategic analysis; and connect that work to Racial Justice Center priorities, campaigns, programs, organizational decision-making, and efforts to build worker power.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead applied research into the sectors and industries where SEIU operates, with attention to racial history, economic conditions, labor structures, and implications for workers and organizing.
• Analyze laws, policies, economic systems, institutional practices, and industry trends that have created or reinforced racial exclusion, disinvestment, occupational segregation, and racial wealth and income gaps.
• Develop race-class analysis that connects historical and current conditions to campaigns, programs, organizational priorities, and opportunities to build worker power.
• Research emerging racial- and economic-justice issues affecting SEIU members, sectors, campaigns, and communities.
• Examine barriers and opportunities related to cross-racial solidarity, collective action, and worker organization across employers, industries, sectors, and geographies.
• Produce research reports, sector analyses, briefing materials, presentations, and other products that clearly communicate findings, implications, and strategic considerations.
• Work with the Director and RJC colleagues to frame research questions and develop evidence-based recommendations for campaigns, programs, and organizational strategy.
• Collaborate with SEIU departments, centers, local unions, and campaign teams to identify research needs, interpret findings, and apply race-class analysis to their work.
• Build relationships with scholars, researchers, movement organizations, and external experts to strengthen the union's analytical depth and remain current on relevant research and thinking.

DIRECTION & DECISION MAKING: This position reports to the Director, Racial Justice Center and works independently in planning and carrying out assigned research. The Program Manager exercises judgment in selecting research approaches, evaluating evidence, developing findings, and identifying strategic implications, while working collaboratively with the Director, RJC colleagues, and internal and external partners. This position does not supervise staff.

QUALIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Five to seven years of experience conducting applied research related to racial justice, economic justice, labor, public policy, industry conditions, social movements, or comparable subject matter, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience advancing racial or economic justice in a union, worker organization, movement organization, research institution, policy organization, or comparable social justice setting.
• Demonstrated experience conducting historical, sector, industry, policy, economic, qualitative, or quantitative research and connecting findings to current strategy or decision-making.
• Deep knowledge of racial and economic justice theory and practice, including the ability to apply race-class analysis to institutions, industries, policies, and worker experiences.
• Working knowledge of labor, unions, worker organizations, or worker-led campaigns; direct union experience is preferred.
• Strong analytical judgment and the ability to develop clear, well-supported conclusions from complex, incomplete, or competing sources of information.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce substantive research products and explain complex findings to varied internal audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple research projects, work across functions, and build productive relationships with staff, leaders, local unions, scholars, and external partners.
• High emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and political judgment, particularly when researching or discussing sensitive racial, historical, economic, or organizational issues.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is generally performed in an office setting, but may be required in other settings conducive to performing the work required to complete the assignment, such as field assignments. Long and extended hours and travel required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: SEIU offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our values as a labor organization and our commitment to the well-being and long-term security of our staff. Benefits include:

• A comprehensive, employer-sponsored health benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• A defined benefit pension plan
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Additional benefits consistent with a mission-driven workplace

SEIU believes that workers deserve dignity, stability, and the ability to plan for their futures, and our benefits are designed to support that belief.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.