The Vermont Democratic Party (VDP) is hiring a Senate Democratic Caucus Director (SDCD) to work with the Senate Majority and the Assistant Majority Leaders (SMAML) to help manage the Senate Democratic Caucus (SDC) for the 2023-2024 legislative biennium and through the 2024 general election cycle. The Senate Caucus Director will work with the Senate Majority Leaders to help the Senate Democratic Caucus accomplish its priorities during the Legislative Biennium. This work includes internal and external communications, supporting Senate work, fundraising, and caucus management. It also includes recruiting, training and helping manage incumbent and new Senate candidate’s campaigns for the 2024 cycle. Currently, 23 of the 30 Vermont Senators, caucus with the SDC.
This position reports directly to the Senate Majority Leader and the VDP Executive Director. In addition to working with the SML and the VDP Ex Dir, the SDCD works closely with Senate Democratic Leadership including the President Pro Tem, Assistant Majority Leader and the Pro Tem’s Chief of Staff, and is expected to coordinate with the House Democratic Caucus Director. The position is based in Montpelier, VT. Ideal candidates will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and responsible self-starters with proven leadership, management, and interpersonal skills. Other essential skills include: discretion, integrity, communication skills, fundraising capabilities, strong work ethic, thick skin, fearlessness, and a sense of humor.
DUTIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to)
Caucus Communications
Serving as the primary Senate Democratic Caucus contact.
Managing internal and external SDC communications.
Internal: Caucus committee updates, draft responses to mass emails campaigns for coordinate Caucus response, newsletters
External: draft press releases, draft messaging responses when appropriate, help with social media for both the SDC and individual Senators
Produce other communications both for the Caucus and for individual Senator when needed.
Assist in Coordinating in person and virtual townhalls for Senators/District teams.
Working with Senators to implement constituent outreach plans.
Fundraising
Developing a fundraising plan and budget to fulfill the goals and objectives of the SDC and the VDP
Maintaining and expanding donor lists, including institutional and high-dollar donors.
Planning and producing fundraising events and materials.
Integrating the donor lists of multiple Senators and Senate candidates and building a fundraising relationship with the Caucus.
Maintaining records to create internal budget and finance reports.
Lead coordinator for all Caucus fundraisers, including (but not limited to) the Annual Golf Open and Celebration of Senate Democrats.
Campaign Work
Developing and executing a statewide candidate recruitment strategy.
Writing campaign plans, advising on message, mail, targeting, fundraising, and other issues that may arise.
Organizing and conducting trainings for candidates, volunteers and staff.
Building relationships with constituency and advocacy groups and leveraging those relationships into actionable campaign activity.
Establishing relationships with town and county Democratic committees for recruitment and relationship management.
Developing and implementing a direct mail plan.
Advise Senators in off-years on political opportunities for the next cycle.
Opposition research.
DESIRED SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Familiarity with Vermont legislative process.
Knowledge of Vermont’s communities and political landscape.
2-5 years of campaign experience
Ability to track and report regional activity in an accountable structure.
Experience with NGP and Votebuilder.
Political or non-profit fundraising experience
Events planning and producing experience.
Ability to work independently, multi-task and prioritize with minimal supervision.
Flexibility to allow for frequent evening and weekends in the office, and travel around the state.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
SALARY
This is full-time salaried position shared with State Party Operations, with time divided into 30
hours per week Senate Caucus Director duties and 10 hours per week State Party Operations
duties as prescribed by the Executive Director. Salary for this full-time position begins at $ 45-
55,000/year with benefits as described in the USW District 4 Union contract, including personal,
sick and vacation leave, fully paid health, vision, and dental insurance. This position is part of a
union team represented by USW District 4.
For more information or to apply, please email Jim Dandeneau at jdandeneau@vtdemocrats.org
The Vermont Democratic Party is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in
hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity and
expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or any other
characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Women, people of color, members of the
LGBTQ community, and members of historically disenfranchised groups are especially
welcome and encouraged to apply.
The Vermont Democratic Party is committed to cultivating a culture of diversity and belonging among our staff, party and elected officials. We are prioritizing outreach to partner organizations working with marginalized communities to recruit and train new elected and party officials, and committed to building a diverse pool of campaign and party staff for campaigns, elected officials, and the party to hire from. That includes identifying and training staff and providing them with professional development resources to further their careers in politics, and ensuring that the Vermont Democratic Party supports them as they become more public figures.