Director of Field Operations

MINNESOTA NURSES ASSOCIATION (MNA)

Position Title: Director of Field Operations

DATE: 7//2026

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Executive Director

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of MNA’s Executive Director, the Director of Field Operations works collaboratively with other Directors, Managers, and MNA staff to achieve MNA’s strategic goals and priorities through member engagement, representation, and organizing.

The Director of Field Operations is primarily responsible for leading all aspects of the union’s labor relations and organizing programs, which include collective bargaining, contract enforcement, new member organizing, internal organizing, and member advocacy. The Director of Field Operations directs and evaluates the field staff.

This position oversees the planning and effective integration of organizational strategic priorities and their evaluation with the other MNA departments.

MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

I. Partner with the Executive Director to establish and execute a comprehensive labor relations and organizing strategy that advances the organization’s mission, strategic priorities, and long-term objectives.

Serves as a liaison to the Board of Directors for all labor relations, collective bargaining, organizing strategy, and field operations, providing strategic analysis recommendations and regular performance reporting.

II. Participates in organizational policy development, analysis, strategic planning and alignment, including serving as staff co-facilitator of the Board’s Collective Bargaining Committee.

III. Directs the development, execution, evaluation, and continuous improvement of labor relations, collective bargaining, contract administration, and enforcement strategies to maximize member outcomes and organizational impact.

IV. Develops and manages a budget that ensures strong stewardship of members’ dues, concentrating on a measurable return on investment for targeted campaigns.

V. Develop and implement effective procedures and performance standards that promote operational effectiveness, consistency, and continuous improvement across labor relations, organizing, and administrative programs and services.

VI. Advises the management team on labor relations strategy, collective bargaining, day-to- day field operations, and the progress on organizing targets and campaigns.

VII. Build, lead, assign work, and develop high-performing teams by mentoring, evaluating, coaching, and supervising all field operations and managers assigned. This includes development and approval of policies directing the work of the Labor Relations Specialists, Administrative Assistants, Researchers, and Field Organizers.

VIII. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement through regular meetings with the field and administrative staff.

IX. Represent the organization at key local, state, and national meetings as requested and approved by the Executive Director.

X. Develop, implement, and maintain a staff and member leadership development program with other departments as appropriate.

• XII. Participate in management meetings and functions.

SUPERVISION OVER

Oversees staff assigned to field operations, including Organizing Manager, Field Managers, and other professional staff as assigned.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

• Minimum of five years’ experience working for a labor union as a labor representative, business agent, or UniServe consultant.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Equivalent work experience will be considered.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and auto insurance are required.

TRAVEL & WORK HOURS

• Extended work hours, the possibility of working on weekends, and extensive travel throughout the Upper Midwest are required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible labor relations, organizing, and collective bargaining experience as a union representative, business agent, or UniServe consultant or comparable union leadership role, including at least two (2) years of direct experience managing and supervising staff
• Demonstrated success leading, coaching, and developing managers, organizers, labor relations specialists (labor representatives), and other field staff on the implementation of strategic campaigns, achieving organizational goals and member engagement initiatives.
• Proven work experience developing and executing coordinated labor relations and organizing campaigns that achieve measurable outcomes, including negotiating union contracts, contract enforcement, and grievance administration and member mobilization.
• Demonstrated experience leading collective bargaining negotiations, developing bargaining strategies, resolving complex labor disputes, and successfully administering labor agreements.
• Experience developing, managing, and monitoring departmental budgets, allocating resources strategically, and ensuring sound financial stewardship and accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to direct and evaluate the work of others, establish organizational priorities, and manage competing deadlines
• Strong analytical and strategic problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess organizational challenges, identify risks and opportunities, develop data-informed recommendations, and implement effective solutions;
• Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and organize multiple campaigns/projects; identifying and analyzing problems/issues, and recommending strategies and solutions;
• Excellent written, verbal, and public communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex labor relations, organizing and strategic issues to the management team, board of directors, staff, and members.
• Demonstrated ability to build cooperative working relationships across departments, with the management team and staff.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple strategic initiatives while maintaining attention to detail, quality, and measurable outcomes.
• Must have the ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends;
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical leadership, sound judgement, accountability, professionalism, equity, and advancing the organization’s mission and values.
• Must have extensive knowledge of federal and state labor laws governing union organizing, collective bargaining, strikes, protected concerted activity, unfair labor practices, representational elections, neutrality and recognition agreements.

Competencies

• Strategic Leadership and Organizational Development
• Change Management

Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining Strategy

• Conflict Resolution and Consensus Building
• Performance Management and Continuous Improvement

SALARY

A salary range of $112,407 – 159,991, dependent on experience, with generous benefits including defined benefit pension, 401K matching, 100% employer-paid single and family health insurance coverage, 25 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 3 personal days, along with 12 paid holidays annually. MNA is an EEO/AA Employer.

Contact

To apply, please submit resume and cover letter to

Teresa A. Mazzitelli, President

The Mazzitelli Group

Executive Search Consultants

tm@mazzsearch.com