Malcolm Rivera
Political campaigns are complex operations requiring a large staff and a structured hierarchy. The campaign team is usually made up of volunteers and employees of the candidate or political party, with various departments such as field, communication, fundraising, legal, and technology. The specific positions within a campaign team can vary depending on the type of election and the campaign size. Campaign jobs cover a wide range of roles, including campaign management, campaign finance, and voter outreach, all working towards the ultimate goal of getting enough votes for the candidate to win an election.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Campaign Manager | Creates, implements, and oversees a campaign's strategic plan, reporting directly to the candidate |
| General Consultant | Aids the candidate and managers in developing the campaign strategy and plan, helping navigate major issues and events |
| Fundraising Consultant | Advises the finance director on strategy and planning for fundraising, with experience introducing candidates to potential donors |
| Media Consultant | Advises on messaging and strategy, and handles the creation of advertisements |
| Field Director | Leads and organizes the campaign at the grassroots level, creating a field plan for tasks such as persuasion, voter identification, and high turnout |
| Field Organizer | Train, recruit, and manage volunteers in grassroots efforts to persuade, identify, and mobilize targeted voters |
| Social Media Director | Creates and implements strategies for reaching the targeted demographic over social media platforms |
| Policy Advisor | Researches, develops, and creates the candidate's public policy agenda, evaluating current policies and creating reports to implement new programs |
| Pollster | Requires a background in statistics for polling and voter analysis |
| Spokesperson | A role often filled by a campaign manager or lawyer |
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What You'll Learn
Campaign managers and their senior aides
Campaign managers are responsible for creating, implementing, and overseeing a campaign's strategic plan. They report directly to the candidate and are responsible for conducting the campaign in accordance with the candidate's mission, vision, and values. Campaign managers must ensure that the campaign is organised to make decisions effectively, efficiently, and quickly, and must have final approval of the budget and all sponsoring decisions. They write the campaign plan, hire and manage the core team, and make strategic and tactical decisions.
Campaign managers are supported by senior aides, who often have a great deal of job mobility. Successful campaign officials often become senior political aides, and managers move back and forth between party and campaign positions. Senior aides may also be hired as consultants, who are experts in particular areas of planning and running campaigns. Consultants are often hired when existing staff and volunteers do not have sufficient expertise or time, or when it is financially advantageous. Consultants can be freelancers or work for outside firms, and they may work across multiple campaigns simultaneously.
Networking is a crucial way to obtain a job as a campaign manager or senior aide, as these positions are rarely secured through the cover letter and interview process alone. It is important to cultivate connections with people already working on campaigns, as well as with alumni from your college or law school who may be affiliated with partisan work.
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Policy advisors and speechwriters
Policy advisors play a vital role in shaping the campaign's policy platform. They research, develop, and create the public policy agenda, evaluating current policies and creating reports to inform new program and policy development. These professionals may choose to specialise in a particular area or work across various issues. They often work closely with speechwriters and the communications director to ensure that the candidate's messages are consistent with the policy agenda. The national average salary for a policy advisor is $83,645 per year.
Speechwriters work closely with policy advisors and the communications team to craft messages that resonate with the target audience and effectively communicate the candidate's ideas and goals. They collaborate with other departments, such as marketing and advertising, to ensure that the campaign's message is consistent across all platforms. Speechwriters may also be involved in writing op-eds, talking points, and other forms of content to support the campaign.
Landing a job as a policy advisor or speechwriter often requires a strong understanding of campaign laws and regulations, excellent writing skills, and a background in a related field such as political science, journalism, or law. Networking is crucial in the political field, and many jobs are obtained through personal connections and referrals. It is also important to monitor job boards, campaign websites, and other online sources for job postings, as well as reaching out directly to campaigns or leveraging alumni connections.
Both policy advisors and speechwriters need to stay up-to-date with the campaign's strategy, the changing political landscape, and public opinion to ensure their work remains relevant and effective. They may also collaborate with consultants, who are often brought in to provide additional expertise in specific areas of the campaign, such as media, advertising, or fundraising.
These roles are integral to the success of a political campaign, as they shape and communicate the very foundation of the candidate's platform, and those in these roles are well-compensated for their expertise and influence.
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Grassroots campaigners and field organisers
Grassroots campaigning and field organising are crucial aspects of any political campaign. These roles are essential to the success of a campaign, as they involve directly engaging with the public to promote the candidate's message and increase voter turnout.
Grassroots campaigners are the boots on the ground, so to speak, of any political campaign. They are responsible for spreading the candidate's message to the target demographic and persuading voters to support the candidate. This can involve going door-to-door, attending community events, and participating in get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts. Grassroots campaigners need to be passionate and knowledgeable about the candidate's platform and policies, as they will be the ones directly interacting with voters. They may also be involved in monitoring public opinion and the changing political landscape, to ensure the campaign remains relevant and appealing to voters.
Field organisers, on the other hand, are responsible for training, recruiting, and managing these grassroots campaigners and volunteers. They focus on specific geographical areas and report to the field director. Field organisers create strategies and plans to achieve goals for persuasion, voter identification, and high turnout among target groups. They may organise canvassing and GOTV efforts, and ensure that volunteers are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively promote the candidate. Field organisers play a crucial role in ensuring a united and cohesive campaign message at the grassroots level.
These roles are often filled by volunteers, who can gain valuable experience and rise through the ranks to more senior positions. Networking is key to securing these roles, as they may not always be advertised through traditional job boards. Reaching out to campaign alumni or utilising alumni connections from college or law school can be a great way to get in touch with the right people.
Grassroots campaigning and field organising are essential to the success of any political campaign, as they help to spread the candidate's message, engage with voters, and ultimately, increase voter turnout on election day. These roles require dedication, passion, and a strong understanding of the candidate's platform and the political landscape.
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Media and advertising consultants
Media consultants are wordsmiths and storytellers who can craft compelling messages that resonate with the target audience. They work closely with the campaign's communications director and policy advisors to ensure that the messaging aligns with the candidate's values, vision, and policy agenda. They may also collaborate with the campaign's creative team to develop catchy slogans, design effective advertising materials, and produce engaging content for various media platforms.
Advertising consultants often have a more strategic role, planning and executing advertising campaigns across different media channels. They are responsible for creating a cohesive and integrated advertising plan that maximizes reach and frequency within the allocated budget. These consultants are experts in media buying, negotiating rates, and placing ads in the most effective outlets to target the desired demographic. They may also utilize new media platforms, such as social media and online advertising networks, to reach younger or more tech-savvy audiences.
In addition to their creative and strategic roles, media and advertising consultants also provide valuable insights and analysis. They monitor the campaign's media coverage and track its impact on public opinion. They conduct focus groups, demographic studies, and polling to test the effectiveness of their messaging and advertising strategies. By staying attuned to public sentiment, they can quickly adjust their tactics and develop damage control strategies if needed.
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Fundraisers and finance directors
Fundraisers may work directly for the campaign or be hired as consultants. They are typically well-connected individuals with extensive knowledge of the donor landscape and experience in introducing candidates to potential donors. They may also have expertise in organizing fundraising events, call programs, mail, and internet fundraising.
Finance directors, on the other hand, often work closely with the campaign manager to create and manage the campaign budget. They ensure that the campaign's financial resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to support the campaign's strategic plan. Finance directors may also be involved in fundraising efforts and work closely with fundraisers to align these efforts with the campaign's financial goals.
Both fundraisers and finance directors play a critical role in ensuring the campaign has the financial resources it needs to operate effectively. They may also be involved in other aspects of the campaign, such as strategy development and event planning.
Landing a job as a fundraiser or finance director in a political campaign often requires a combination of relevant experience, connections, and an understanding of campaign laws and regulations. Networking is crucial, as many campaign jobs are filled through personal connections and recommendations. Demonstrating expertise in fundraising strategies, donor relations, and financial management can also increase one's chances of securing such roles.
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Frequently asked questions
Networking is a crucial way to obtain a job in politics. Campaign jobs are rarely secured through the cover letter and interview process alone. If you do not have any connections, you can reach out to campaign alumni or use your college or law school alumni connections. You can also check the campaign website for job postings and follow the application instructions.
Political campaign teams have various departments, such as field, communication, fundraising, legal, technology, and scheduling. Some common roles include campaign manager, communications director, field director, field organizer, political consultant, and fundraising consultant.
The campaign manager creates, implements, and oversees a campaign's strategic plan, making sure that the campaign is organized to make decisions effectively, efficiently, and quickly. They also have final approval of the budget and all sponsoring decisions.
Political consultants are experts in particular areas of planning and running campaigns who take on advisory roles. Campaigns hire consultants when existing staff and volunteers do not have sufficient expertise or time. A general consultant might aid the candidate and managers in developing the campaign strategy and plan and then help navigate major issues and events. They may also oversee advertising and messaging.
