Description

MONTANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY MISSION STATEMENT

The Montana Democratic Party recruits, trains and elects Democrats to local, statewide and federal office to ensure a government of the people, by the people, and for the people of Montana. 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

The Montana Democratic Party seeks a dynamic, committed individual to lead our staff.  A strong Executive Director is critical to the Montana Democratic Party’s success. The 2026 races will be fought in one of the most challenging yet opportunity-rich environments the party has faced in years — with competitive contests up and down the ballot, shifting voter coalitions, and national attention on federal races. This is a huge opportunity for Democrats in Montana! The Executive Director serves as the operational and strategic backbone of the organization: overseeing staff, driving field and fundraising goals, ensuring message discipline, and coordinating with candidates, county central committees, Tribal central committees and partner organizations. 

This is a year-round, full-time salaried position with a comprehensive benefits package, travel reimbursement and flexible schedule. Position will be based in Helena, MT with extensive statewide and out-of-state travel. The Montana Democratic Party Executive Director reports to the Montana Democratic Party State Chair. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Strategy

• Support the Chair and Executive Board in the development and adoption of a comprehensive strategy to elect Democrats across Montana.
• Work closely with the State Party Chair, Executive Board, and Central and Tribal Committees to advance party priorities across all levels.
• Foster collaboration and mutual support between MDP, Montana DLCC, candidates, elected officials, national Democratic organizations, and allied/partner groups.

Finance and Budget   

• Oversee compliance to make sure all finance reports, tax returns, and other required reports are filed accurately and on time.   
• Plan fundraising efforts and work with party leadership to implement plans. Oversee fundraising efforts, including large and small-donor events, and online fundraising.  
• Work closely with the State Chair, Executive Board Officers, and coordinated campaign partners to develop and manage an operating budget and a coordinated campaign budget.

Political and Electoral Strategy 

• Oversee candidate recruitment, campaign training, and election programs, including
  voter registration, persuasion, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts and other opportunities as needed. 
• Support central and Tribal committees and campaigns in organizing, messaging, and field operations.
  Develop and maintain relationships with the Democratic National Committee, Democratic Party leaders, elected officials, key constituencies, and donors. Act as liaison with the staffs of the DNC, the DGA, DSCC, DCCC and the ASDC. Represent MDP with partner organizations.

Communications 

• Work closely with the State Chair to develop a clear message, issue press releases, and respond to media inquiries. 
• Represent the MDP in an effective, clear, factual and professional manner at all times.
• Collaborate on messaging and branding strategies to communicate the party’s vision effectively.
  

Staffing and Party Support 

• Supervise a permanent staff and a campaign staff that grows exponentially during election season. Provide guidance and mentoring and set staff priorities to reflect changing needs. May include the management of staffers in remote offices. Interview and hire additional staff when conditions warrant; restructure jobs, as necessary.  
• Work with staff to organize all meetings and trainings.
• Ensure efficient day-to-day party operations, including employee personnel policies, office equipment, etc.  

Requirements

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 5-8 years of political experience. 
• At least 5-8 years of supervisory experience, including experience in a senior leadership role. 
• Demonstrates successful experience in planning projects and/or programs, tracking progress, and adjusting resources as needed.  Ability to articulate long and short-term strategy to board, staff, and others on a need-to-know basis. Ability to help create long-term plans for the party, monitor progress, and stick to goals.
• Demonstrates Personnel Management Skills: An individual who is self-directed. Understanding of team-building, prioritizing, coaching, and professional development for those you supervise; ability to manage remote staff. Demonstrate exceptional listening skills with the ability to maintain a steady, accountable, and positive attitude and patience under high pressure circumstances.  
• Stellar Communication Skills, both written and oral: Ability to craft press releases, write fundraising letters, and create web copy; be an effective speaker, whether talking to large or small groups, the press, the media, activists, donors, etc.
• Proficiency in current communication, political and finance technology. 
• Political Savvy: Understand, or be willing to learn, all aspects of elections, including election law, campaign techniques, campaign planning, targeting, polling, and GOTV programs. Ability to make decisions grounded in informed political judgement and experience specific to Montana. 
• Fundraising and Compliance Experience: Understand how both low and high-dollar fundraising works; creation of a realistic and ambitious fundraising plan and goals; experience with online fundraising; creative outreach to new funding sources. Experience overseeing political and finance compliance reports. 
• People-focused: Be able to inspire and support volunteers; show respect for all, from impassioned single-issue activists to cynical long-time political workers (and everyone in between); be especially sensitive to gender, rural, and Indigenous issues and fairness and equity issues in general.  
• Energetic: a candidate who is creative, patient, and flexible… with a well-developed sense of humor. 
• Strong preference for candidates with rural and tribal organizing experience. 
• Strong preference for candidates experienced in working with a unionized staff and  negotiating union contracts. 
• Strong preference for candidates with agricultural policy experience and ability to work with agricultural producers. 
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel extensively throughout the state and nationally, often for several days at a time.
• College degree desired.

COMPENSATION

$100,000 annual salary based on experience with comprehensive benefits package, travel reimbursement and flexible schedule. 

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter and resume to apply@montanademocrats.org with “Executive Director Application” in the subject line. 

The Montana Democratic Party is an equal opportunity employer and is dedicated to the achievement of equality of opportunity for all its employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin or disability.