Isabella Carter
Political campaign staff are the people who formulate and implement the strategies needed to win an election. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a campaign, which can be a huge logistical operation requiring a large staff and an organized hierarchy. Campaign staff can include both unpaid volunteers and paid employees, with the latter often going on to work in government after the campaign season. The campaign team typically consists of volunteers and employees of the candidate or the political party, with most campaigns having various departments, such as the field, communication, fundraising, legal, technology, and scheduling departments. The campaign manager is at the heart of the campaign, coordinating the campaign's operations and reporting directly to the candidate, although in small local campaigns, they may be the only paid staff member.
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What You'll Learn
- Campaign managers coordinate and oversee the campaign's strategy
- Field staff organise “on-the-ground” operations to contact voters
- Communications staff handle public messaging, media events, and press relations
- Fundraising departments secure campaign finances and manage donations
- Legal departments ensure compliance with the law and file the appropriate forms
Campaign managers coordinate and oversee the campaign's strategy
Campaign managers are responsible for creating, implementing, and overseeing a campaign's strategy and operations. They work closely with the candidate to conduct the campaign according to the candidate's vision, mission, and values. They are also responsible for making sure that the campaign is organized to make decisions effectively, efficiently, and quickly.
Campaign managers have a wide range of responsibilities, including writing the campaign plan, hiring and managing the core team, and making strategic and tactical decisions throughout the race. They also work with other professionals, such as consultants and advisors, to execute the campaign strategy. Campaign managers may also be responsible for tasks such as fundraising, creating media events, and responding to press inquiries.
In smaller campaigns, the campaign manager may be the only paid staff member and will handle most aspects of the campaign, including those not covered by the candidate or volunteers. In larger campaigns, such as a United States presidential campaign, there may be hundreds of staff members, including consultants and advisors, who support the campaign manager in executing the campaign strategy.
Between elections, campaign managers may reflect on the previous campaign's performance and make adjustments to their strategy. They may also use this time to build and maintain relationships with potential voters, donors, and supporters through various means, such as digital outreach platforms and social media. This helps to keep the campaign relevant and active even when elections are not imminent.
Overall, the role of a campaign manager is crucial to the success of any political campaign, and they must possess strong leadership, organizational, and decision-making skills to effectively coordinate and oversee the campaign's strategy.
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Field staff organise “on-the-ground” operations to contact voters
Field staff are responsible for organising and executing "on-the-ground" operations to contact voters. This involves direct voter contact through canvassing, phone calls, and local events. They are tasked with building and maintaining a voter file to better target and persuade voters, identifying which voters the campaign wants to turn out on election day. Field staff also run local "storefront" campaign offices, organise phone banks, and stage locations for canvasses and other campaign events.
Field organisers, who are paid workers, conduct direct voter contact full-time and assist the Deputy Director. They train, recruit, and manage volunteers in grassroots efforts to persuade, identify, and mobilise targeted voters. Field organisers typically focus on specific geographical areas and report to the field director. They are usually professionals with extensive experience working with electorates and community members.
Field staff are an essential part of the campaign team, which also includes the communications, fundraising, legal, technology, and scheduling departments. The campaign team is composed of volunteers and paid employees of the candidate or political party. Volunteers may take on tasks such as addressing envelopes, entering data, and canvassing voters.
The campaign manager plays a crucial role in leading the campaign team and overseeing operations. They work closely with the candidate, staff, and volunteers to create and execute an effective campaign plan. The manager ensures that the campaign is organised for efficient decision-making and has final approval on budgeting and sponsoring decisions.
Political campaigns are complex logistical operations requiring a large staff and a structured hierarchy. They offer a unique perspective on the electoral process and provide an opportunity to develop valuable skills in a fast-paced environment.
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Communications staff handle public messaging, media events, and press relations
Communications staff are responsible for public messaging, media events, and press relations during a political campaign. They write speeches, create and place ads, respond to press inquiries, and oversee the campaign's public image.
In the fast-paced and high-pressure environment of a political campaign, effective communication is crucial. Communications staff play a pivotal role in shaping the campaign's message and ensuring it resonates with the target audience. They collaborate closely with speechwriters, policy advisors, and researchers to craft messages that align with the candidate's vision, values, and policy agenda.
As part of their media event responsibilities, communications staff members create press coverage and publicity for the campaign. They organize press conferences, interviews, and events where the candidate can engage directly with the electorate and the community. This involves coordinating with journalists and media outlets to ensure the campaign's message is accurately conveyed.
With the rise of digital media, the role of communications staff has expanded to include digital communications management and social media strategy. They leverage digital outreach platforms to reach supporters and voters, including email campaigns, social media advertising, and content creation. A content calendar is an essential tool for communications staff to optimize their digital communication efforts and ensure a consistent and timely online presence.
Between elections, communications staff continue to play an important role in maintaining the public image of the politician or party they represent. They may work on refining the campaign's message, developing long-term media strategies, and building relationships with journalists and media outlets. Additionally, they can use the time to reflect on the effectiveness of their previous campaign strategies and make adjustments for future elections.
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Fundraising departments secure campaign finances and manage donations
Political campaigns are often supported by a dedicated fundraising department, which is responsible for securing campaign finances and managing donations. This department is typically composed of both volunteers and paid employees, who work together to ensure the campaign has the financial resources it needs to be successful.
Fundraising departments employ a variety of strategies to secure campaign finances. This includes seeking donations from individuals, corporations, labor organizations, and membership groups. In the US, presidential campaigns also receive funding from taxpayers who choose to direct $3 to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund when filing their tax returns. To be eligible for these funds, candidates must agree to certain spending and fundraising restrictions. Additionally, campaigns may establish political action committees (PACs) or leadership PACs to solicit donations from members and associates. It is important to note that there are legal limits on the sources and amounts of funds that can be contributed to federal campaigns, and campaigns must register and disclose their financial activities in accordance with the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Managing donations is another critical function of the fundraising department. This involves tracking all financial transactions, including donations, bank reconciliations, loans, and in-kind contributions. Campaigns must also ensure they comply with regulations regarding the use of funds, both during and after the election. For example, funds cannot be used for personal use and any leftover money must be used to pay off campaign-related debts or donated to charitable causes or other candidates.
The fundraising department also collaborates closely with other teams within the campaign structure, such as the operations department, which handles financial operations and tracks the budget against actual spending. They may also work with communications staff to develop fundraising strategies, such as direct mail campaigns or online fundraising appeals.
Overall, the fundraising department plays a crucial role in ensuring the campaign has the financial resources it needs to operate effectively and comply with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
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Legal departments ensure compliance with the law and file the appropriate forms
Political campaigns are complex operations that require compliance with various legal requirements and financial regulations. The legal department plays a crucial role in ensuring that the campaign operates within the boundaries of the law. This department is responsible for filing the necessary forms and disclosures, maintaining financial transparency, and providing legal counsel to the campaign.
The legal team's primary role is to ensure the campaign's compliance with applicable laws and regulations. They are well-versed in campaign finance laws, election regulations, and other legal aspects that may impact the campaign. This includes staying up to date with legal requirements at the federal, state, and local levels, as these laws can vary across different jurisdictions.
One of the key tasks of the legal department is to file the appropriate forms with government authorities. This includes financial disclosure forms, campaign finance reports, and any other documentation required by law. For example, in the United States, campaign finance law is enacted by Congress and enforced by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Campaigns must comply with eligibility requirements to qualify for government subsidies, and those accepting public funding are typically subject to spending limits. The legal team ensures that all necessary paperwork is accurately completed and submitted within the specified deadlines.
Additionally, the legal department is responsible for tracking and maintaining financial records. This includes monitoring campaign expenditures, donations, loans, and in-kind contributions. They work closely with the campaign's treasurer or controller to ensure compliance with campaign finance laws and to prepare and certify the accuracy of financial reports. The legal team may also be involved in managing debt retirement and responding to audit requests, even after the election has concluded.
In some cases, the legal department may also provide legal counsel on various issues that arise during the campaign. They may advise on matters such as intellectual property, defamation, or contract disputes. Larger campaigns may have a team of lawyers on staff, while smaller campaigns may rely on a single individual or external counsel for legal guidance. Regardless of the campaign's size, the legal department plays a critical role in mitigating legal risks and ensuring the campaign's integrity and compliance with the law.
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Frequently asked questions
Campaign managers are responsible for creating, implementing, and overseeing a campaign's strategic plan. They work closely with the candidate and are responsible for making certain that the campaign is organized to make decisions effectively, efficiently, and quickly. They also have final approval of the budget and all sponsoring decisions.
The field department focuses on the "on-the-ground" organizing that is required to personally contact voters through canvassing, phone calls, and building local events. They also help construct and clean the campaign's voter file to better target voter persuasion and identify which voters the campaign wants to bring out on election day.
A scheduler organizes and manages the candidate's calendar. They ensure that the candidate has an effective and efficient schedule of events to help maximize their impact on the electorate. They also approve all invitations and internal requests for the candidate's time.
A policy advisor does research to help develop and shape the candidate's public policy agenda. They report to the campaign manager and may also work with the speechwriter or communications director to craft messages for the campaign.
Many campaign staffers go on to work in government after the campaign season, some in high-profile political appointments. Campaign work can put you in touch with many individuals who could further a job search related to the public sphere, whether in government or the private sector.
