Executive Director

Overview

Who We Are

SAG-AFTRA is the iconic American labor union that represents approximately 160,000 media professionals. SAG-AFTRA employees support our members and thrive on securing the strongest protections by negotiating the best wages, working conditions, health and pension benefits. We preserve and expand members’ work opportunities, vigorously enforce our contracts and protect our members against unauthorized use of their work. 

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

The Local executive director is the chief executive for the SAG-AFTRA Portland and Seattle Locals. Under the direction of the Executive Director, Locals Operations and the Locals’ Boards of Directors, this person is responsible for administering the business affairs of the Portland and Seattle Locals, including the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and overseeing policies and programs adopted by the Locals’ Boards of Directors in conjunction with SAG-AFTRA’s national strategies and policies.

Location: This position is based in Seattle, Washington, with regular travel to Portland, Oregon.

 (This section provides a general summary of the most significant job duties performed. It does not explain in detail every single duty performed.)

● Oversees and manages all aspects of the SAG-AFTRA Portland and Seattle Locals operations including compliance with internal union governance procedures, member outreach and local communications, local organizing initiatives, local budgeting, and the negotiation, administration and enforcement of the broadcast and non-broadcast contracts under which local members work.

● Leads and/or supports negotiations of Local collective bargaining agreements covering members working at television and radio stations. Resolves complex issues and disputes  with performers, agents and studio/producer representatives, including attorneys and business affairs people, including processing grievances and providing support for arbitration proceedings and matters before the NLRB.

● Oversees the administration and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements for performers employed in commercials, television/radio programming, feature and independent films, corporate-educational programs, interactive games, sound recordings and other work that may be covered by SAG-AFTRA agreements.

 ● Work to cultivate member leadership, develop and provide leadership training and other programming for member leaders, including work with local and national committees. Serves as liaison to all relevant member committees, either directly or through supervision of appropriate staff. Actively manages internal decision-making processes to ensure timeliness and maximize consensus.

● Establishes and maintains regular communications with SAG-AFTRA members including outreach, print and email communications, and training and guidance. Oversees the development of programming for members

● Develops and maintains SAG-AFTRA’s relationships with industry stakeholders and strategic partners in the Local’s jurisdiction, including SAG-AFTRA members and staff, member representatives, employer labor relations representatives, news and sports directors, station managers, program directors, producers, entertainment unions, local and state elected officials, labor and community organizations (e.g., state and local affiliates of the AFL-CIO) and other organizations.

● Works in alignment with national strategy and serves as a lead for the Local on broadcast member issues such as minimum contractual standards, coordinating bargaining, contract and employer campaigns and organizing in conjunction with the Chief Broadcast Officer and all national and local staff working in news and broadcast. Provide consultation related to personal service contracts.

● Works closely with the Local Board to develop and carry out internal and external organizing efforts.

● Leads, assigns or otherwise takes part in legislative advocacy efforts in connection with the state’s film tax credit program and other legislative matters that may affect SAG-AFTRA members.

● Supervises, manages and participates in the assessment of work performance of Local staff. Attracts and retains committed, results-oriented staff through personal engagement, supervision, training and development.

● Ensures Local office compliance with all human resources and organizational policies.

● Performs other duties as assigned or as the situation dictates

Qualifications

What You’ll Need

We want to make sure you’re successful. To be considered, you must have:

(The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.)

 ● Advanced level of management experience and demonstrated leadership skills required to effectively manage and develop a team and individual contributors.

● Demonstrated negotiation and/or collective bargaining skills and fundamental knowledge of federal labor law. Able to negotiate with tact and diplomacy. Experience in dispute resolution.

● Exceptional oral and written communication skills in order to explain complex subject matter, promote collaboration and teamwork, build consensus, and persuade others.

● Responsible; self-directed; proactive; excellent follow-through.

● Effective problem solver.

● Superlative interpersonal skills: high degree of patience and tact. Must be able to cultivate respectful, strategic and collaborative relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, both internally and externally.

● Hold yourself and others accountable for a high level of performance and integrity.

● Have an understanding and awareness of workers’ rights impacting SAG-AFTRA members.

● Able to invite, accept and give constructive feedback.

● Able to effectively project and manage the local’s budget and other related financial matters.

● Must be available and willing to work extended hours per day or per week, including weekends and holidays, as SAG-AFTRA determines is necessary to meet its business needs.

● Must be available and willing to travel to such locations and with such frequency as SAG-AFTRA determines is necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and/or Experience:

● Undergraduate degree in relevant field from an accredited college/university ; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

● 5 + years of management/supervisory experience.

● Experience in labor negotiations and collective bargaining agreement enforcement, labor organizations, union organizing, or non-profit administration.

Certificates, licenses, and/or registrations:

● Must have a current driver’s license, automobile (in reliable working condition), and current automobile insurance that meets the state minimum requirements.

Location: This position is based in Seattle, Washington, with regular travel to Portland, Oregon.

PREFERRED BACKGROUND:

• Knowledge of entertainment and/or news and broadcast industry, as well as issues affecting creative artists and professional workers, strongly preferred.
• Juris Doctor or advanced degree in labor relations preferred.

What You’ll Get

We are a great place to work because we offer: 

• Annually salary of $158,751.00
• Colleagues that are passionate about what we do and how they contribute to our mission
• Balance between work and home life responsibilities
• Affordable and comprehensive medical and dental plans
• Generous pension plan
• Employee discounts and perks

Notice to Applicants:

• It is SAG-AFTRA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, union status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. 
• SAG-AFTRA will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements.
• To be eligible for employment with SAG-AFTRA, applicants must have current authorization to work for any employer within the U.S. We cannot offer sponsorship for an employment visa or assume responsibility for an existing one at this time.
• Employees are required to work in the state/location indicated on the job posting and relocation assistance is not provided. SAG-AFTRA operates on a 35-hour workweek schedule.
• As part of the selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview.
• A voluntary hybrid work schedule may be authorized for some positions. This schedule requires a minimum of two to four days per week of in-office attendance.  SAG-AFTRA reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time based on business needs.
• If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].