Link to application and full position listing

The San Francisco Municipal Executive Association (MEA) is currently seeking qualified, experienced applicants, with excellent interpersonal, strategic and staff management skills.

MEA Overview

MEA has been serving and advancing the interests of San Francisco managers since its founding in 1944. It is the exclusive representative for contract negotiations for over 1,000 managers from the City and County of San Francisco and the San Francisco Superior Court. MEA's mission is to enhance the quality of life for San Franciscans and visitors by promoting sound government practices, supporting professional excellence among city managers, and upholding the highest ethical standards in public service delivery. MEA is governed by a 12-member board of directors and is sta ed by a team of five, including the Executive Director. For more information about MEA please visit the SFMEA website. 

Job Description

The Executive Director reports to the President of the Board of Directors and works collaboratively and in consultation with the Board of Directors and the various member committees and is responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of MEA’s activities including overseeing operations, managing staff, ensuring financial stability, executing board policies, and coordinating with union members and external stakeholders.

The Executive Director (ED) is directly responsible for negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements, informing and influencing important public policy discussions, advocating for affordable and sustainable benefits and providing networking and professional development opportunities for those represented by the contracts.

Supporting the ED is a Deputy Director, two labor representatives, and an o ice administrator. The ED is responsible for setting annual goals and targets, and for conducting annual reviews for staff . 

Primary Duties

• Oversee administrative o ice functions, including membership, budgeting, taxes, finance, legal, reporting, staff development, and Board meetings. 
• Identify, develop, analyze issues and draft contract language informed by member surveys and relevant research. 
• Serve as second chair or lead on collectively bargained contracts up to and including binding arbitration; currently there are four (4) separately negotiated contracts.
• Administer labor agreements and represent members with various City agencies, in various settings including Skelly hearings, arbitrations, investigative interviews, and meet and confers.
• Design, write and organize the distribution of internal and external written and electronic communications. 
• Prepares and submit detailed reports to the president of the board, covering areas such as financial performance, membership engagement, staff activities, caseload status, legal concerns, and progress on strategic initiatives.
• Identify and engage future member leaders in MEA initiatives. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors. 
• All aspects of staff management., including hire/fire, evaluation, discipline, and exercising decisive, sound judgment, responsibility and oversight to move the organization forward. 

Experience/Competencies

Interpersonal Effectiveness   
An effective communicator with excellent listening skills and a proven track record of building and maintaining successful relationships in complex, politically sensitive, and high-pressure environments. Demonstrates openness to diverse individual and cultural perspectives, effectively manages conflict, and fosters creative problem-solving.

Strategic Planning and Execution. 
Experienced in leading organization-wide efforts in campaign planning, precise and detailed analysis, implementation, process improvements, innovation, financial management, and building high-performance teams. A history of executive leadership in strategic planning requiring significant organizational change, utilizing reliable methods to ensure accountability and timely execution of strategic goals and objectives, and developing and maintaining organized information systems.

Judgment   
Possesses broad knowledge and the seasoned ability to influence others when defining and articulating complex strategic issues clearly and simply. Exercises sound judgment in di icult situations and handles highly confidential information with integrity and discretion. Demonstrated success in considering all factors when making pragmatic decisions promptly.

Staff Management   
Proven ability to manage effectively in a unionized environment with a highly successful record of managing, training, and mentoring staff and implementing accountability systems. Skilled in internal organizing, human resources, leadership, and organizational development.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA or BS from an accredited college or university. 
• At least five (5) years of progressively greater responsibility in a management role in labor relations including contract negotiations for a union or in a political or issue-driven environment or a combination of relevant education work experiences. 
• At least three (3) years of experience in a supervisory role involving other labor professionals. 
• At least three (3) years of experience in o ice management
• Demonstrated extensive experience working with the labor movement and its leadership.
• Extensive knowledge of union governance and fiscal procedures.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge and experience with online tools, programs and methodologies. 
• Computer proficiency for Microsoft O ice products like Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and PowerPoint along with web conferencing and other social medica applications, required. 
• Ability to generate performance reports.
• Ability to perform weekend and evening work required. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate or advanced degree(s) in education, labor/union advocacy, public policy, nonprofit leadership, or other related fields.
• Experience with the collective bargaining processes of the City & County of San Francisco or other city/county governments.

Salary/Benefits

This position is an exempt, at-will position with an annual salary range between $174,253 and $222,441, commensurate with experience.  The position includes employer paid medical, dental, vision care, a retirement account with 3% employer match, vacation leave, paid holidays, and sick leave. 

Application

To be considered for this position, please provide the following: 

• A current resume reflecting qualification for this position, including month and years of employment, and reason for separation from each position. 
• A Letter of Application, which specifically addresses how accomplishments in your career have prepared you to meet the essential functions and requirements, presented in this position.   

All application materials must be sent electronically to MEA Search Consultant:

Unionsearch.org, Margolies, Potterton and Associates
Debra Schwoch-Swoboda, Managing Partner:  [email protected]
Confidential inquiries, questions may also be emailed to Debra Swoboda
Position open until filled. INITIAL APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Friday, August 30, 2024,  5 pm PDT