Iowa Senate Majority Fund

Executive Director Job Description

Position Overview

Iowa Senate Democrats are hiring an Executive Director to lead our campaign committee, the

Iowa Senate Majority Fund. The Senate Majority Fund Campaign Director will oversee the 2026

Campaign, working with the Democratic caucus as Democrats continue to rebuild in this key battleground state and work towards taking back the majority. We picked up two seats in very red areas in the past eight months in special elections.  This position reports directly to the Senate Democratic Leader and will work with all members of the Democratic caucus and staff. 

Qualifications

The Executive Director must have significant campaign management experience, with at least

three cycles of campaign experience and at least one as the campaign manager for a contested

race. Campaign experience in Iowa or other rural or red states is strongly preferred, along with experience working on and/or running state legislative races. Qualified applicants must have success in managing both consultant teams and multiple staff, motivating people, and developing and executing winning strategic plans. Experience in targeting and polling would also be a plus, and experience with communicating with the legislative side is helpful. The successful applicant will have demonstrated skills in writing and implementing campaign plans, writing and managing budgets, evaluating paid communications, social media, and working with volunteers, partners, staff, candidates, and elected officials. Planning skills include developing and monitoring clear objectives, key results, and key performance indicators in the areas of field, fundraising, operations, communications, and more. Interest in and familiarity with cutting-edge campaign technology is required. Experience in both regular campaign cycles and special elections is helpful.

 Job Responsibilities

1.  Strategic Planning and Staff Management

· Work with the Leader and the caucus to develop a plan to retake the majority.

· Set clear objectives, key results, and key performance indicators for staff and

candidates.

· Monitor execution on these objectives and regularly update the Leadership team on progress.

· Work with the Leader and Leadership to expand the processes used in the 2024 cycle regarding working with candidates in the primary process and those without primaries to better prepare, set expectations, train, and support candidates for the general.

·  Help create and monitor incumbent protection plans for caucus members.·

–  Manages SMF staff, including hiring of staff.

– Lead the training program for both candidates and staff to ensure every campaign is running successfully.

2.  Candidate Recruitment and Management

·Primarily responsible for working with members of the caucus, local activists, and other

party members to identify and recruit Senate candidates.

·  Will be available to Senate candidates to answer questions as needed.

3.  Campaign Operations

· Leads RFP process to hire consultants and vendors for 2026 and beyond.

· Leads consulting team and vendors to plan and execute paid communications and polling in

targeted legislative races.

· Proactively explores innovative campaign strategies, tactics, communications, technology, and tools. 

· Ensures compliance with Iowa state election law.

4.  Voter Engagement Leadership

· Work with the partner organizations to engage and mobilize voters in preparation for 2026 and increase volunteer capacity for targeted campaigns.

· Work in conjunction with candidates to develop a targeted universe for their campaigns to help them win in November 2026.

– Serve as the primary point of contact for the Iowa Coordinated Campaign with partner organizations

5.  Fundraising Leadership

· Work with the SMF Finance Director to assemble and execute a Finance Plan.

· Staff the Leader in various fundraising activities and prepare necessary materials.

· Build and maintain relationships with national and state partners and potential investors.

6.  Communication Leadership

· Serves as the primary point of contact on the campaign side for media organizations, party, partners, and allied groups.

– Work with candidates to develop their campaign’s brands, themes, and platforms.

· Ensure Iowa Senate Democrats are being represented in intraparty affairs and

Decisions made.

·Implement the SMF’s communications program by drafting, editing, and distributing media communications documents and digital creatives for SMF social media platforms.

 How to Apply

This position will require extensive hours and statewide travel. The salary range for this position

is $75k – $90k, with core benefits including healthcare with vision reimbursement and dental, a Simple IRA match, paid vacation and paid sick leave. Additional benefits may be available.  

Please email a cover letter, resume, list of three or more references, and a short (two pages or

less) writing sample (e.g. a brief, fundraising memo, persuasion script, or other document from a

prior role), as well as a campaign plan, to the Iowa Senate Majority Fund at janice4iowa@gmail.com.  References should

include one person who was directly managed by the applicant and one person who directly

managed the applicant. Please contact Senator Janice Weiner at 571-426-9869 or

janice4iowa@gmail.com for any accommodations you need for the application or interview

process. For questions about this position, please contact the above email address. 

Consideration of applications will begin immediately and will be ongoing until the position is filled. 

The Iowa Democratic Party is an equal opportunity employer, and employs without regard to

race, color, religion, gender, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation),

parental status, family medical status or genetic information, military service, age, national

origin, ancestry, marital status, height, weight, creed, economic status or disability.