Program Manager, Research & Strategy – Racial Justice Center

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in District of Columbia, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Oversee applied research within the sectors and industries where SEIU operates, with an emphasis on racial history, economic conditions, labor frameworks, and their impact on workers and organizing efforts.

• Examine laws, policies, economic systems, institutional practices, and industry trends that contribute to racial exclusion, disinvestment, occupational segregation, as well as racial wealth and income disparities.

• Create race-class analyses that link historical and contemporary conditions to campaigns, programs, organizational priorities, and opportunities for enhancing worker power.

• Investigate emerging racial and economic justice issues that impact SEIU members, sectors, campaigns, and communities.

• Analyze barriers and opportunities related to cross-racial solidarity, collective action, and worker organization.

• Generate research reports, sector analyses, briefing documents, presentations, and other materials that convey findings and strategic insights.

• Collaborate with the Director and colleagues at the Racial Justice Center to define research questions and formulate evidence-based recommendations.

• Partner with SEIU departments, centers, local unions, and campaign teams to assess research needs, interpret findings, and implement race-class analyses.

• Establish connections with scholars, researchers, movement organizations, and external experts.

• Plan and execute assigned research independently, reporting to the Director of the Racial Justice Center.

⛳️ Requirements

• Five to seven years of experience in conducting applied research on racial justice, economic justice, labor, public policy, industry conditions, social movements, or relevant subjects, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in promoting racial or economic justice within a union, worker organization, movement organization, research institution, policy organization, or other similar social justice contexts.

• Proven experience in undertaking historical, sector, industry, policy, economic, qualitative, or quantitative research and linking findings to current strategies or decision-making processes.

• Profound knowledge of racial and economic justice theories and practices, including the application of race-class analysis to institutions, industries, policies, and worker experiences.

• Familiarity with labor, unions, worker organizations, or worker-led campaigns; direct union experience is preferred.

• Strong analytical judgment with the capacity to draw clear, well-supported conclusions from complex, incomplete, or conflicting information.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce substantial research outputs and clarify complex findings to diverse internal audiences.

• Capability to manage multiple research projects, collaborate across functions, and foster productive relationships with staff, leaders, local unions, scholars, and external partners.

• High emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and political judgment in addressing sensitive racial, historical, economic, or organizational matters.

• Willingness to work long hours and travel as necessary.

🏝️ Benefits

• A comprehensive health benefits package sponsored by the employer, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• A defined benefit pension plan.

• Paid time off, which includes vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Additional benefits aligned with a mission-driven workplace.