Definition

The Strategic Research Director will play a leadership role and manage a department with a primary focus on developing comprehensive and strategic research for UTLA campaigns. The research will support bargaining, communications, organizing, political action, and public policy analysis, along with any other tactical initiatives required for building the necessary power to support members, students, and communities. The Director will work on a range of projects, including exploratory campaign research, data gathering and analysis, creation of reports, and community education activities.  The breadth of responsibility will extend from support of broad city-wide organizing plans to school based rank-and-file member fights. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyze the LAUSD budget, including but not limited to consultants, contracts, real estate holdings, corporate relationships, and potential conflicts of interest, to develop campaigns, targets, tactics, and communications.
• Analyze the LAUSD budget in relation to State and Federal budgets and trends.
• Research areas of fiscal improprieties, financial misappropriations, and organizational issues within LAUSD, charters or educational entities that employ UTLA members.
• Compile and analyze information on related industries, organizations, companies, individuals, and issues.
• Analyze legislative and public policy issues, collective bargaining proposals and labor agreements, as well as relevant economic and demographic data.
• Prepare salary comparisons for various occupations and levels of employment.
• Prepare reports, data analyses and presentations on economic and demographic information affecting UTLA members.
• Prepare user-friendly presentations on research and data for internal and external audiences, as well as media.
• Develop and maintain tools for local leaders to support bargaining, communications, and organizing efforts and campaigns.
• Monitor and maintain a database of pertinent information that is relevant for bargaining, organizing and preservation of the tenets of UTLA.
• Maintain research library.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationship

The Strategic Research Director will report to the Executive Director.

Primary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience supervising and coordinating the work of research staff, interns, members, and volunteers
• Strong commitment to staff and leader development through ongoing training, planning and mutual accountability and demonstrated values that support the struggle for racial, social, and economic justice.
• Demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills as well as familiarity with public and private data sources.
• Competency with software applications including working knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, analytical tools, and incorporation of graphs.
• Comprehensive communication skills for oral, written, and visual presentations. 
• Knowledge about current educational issues and organized labor issues.
• Experience collecting and analyzing data related to budgets, compensation, economic and demographic surveys, reports and databases, employer staffing and financial reports, real estate, contracts, corporate structures and relationships, and labor agreements.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.

Secondary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Completion of an undergraduate degree. 
• Experience in union campaigns, community organizing campaigns, and/or political campaigns.
• Experience conducting industry research considered a plus, especially in the education sector.
• Prior work experience in a union environment is preferred.
• Familiarity with UTLA and its affiliates.

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary $12,584-$13,371/monthly; salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage for the employee and their eligible dependents.  There is an excellent retirement plan and a monthly automobile allowance.

For consideration for this position, please contact:
Cristina Alfonso
Confidential Assistant to Diana Darty, Operations Director
[email protected]. 

Applicants will be required to submit a resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation and complete an employment application by May 24, 2024. UTLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer