Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Field Director

🎯 Role Definition

As a Field Director, you are the strategic mastermind and operational leader of our on-the-ground efforts. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive, multi-faceted field program that engages communities and achieves ambitious organizational objectives. This role requires a dynamic leader who can translate high-level strategy into effective, day-to-day actions, while simultaneously building, coaching, and inspiring a high-performing team of field staff and dedicated volunteers. You are the critical link between headquarters and the community, ensuring our message resonates and our goals are met through meticulous planning, data-driven decision-making, and relentless execution.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Regional Field Director
Deputy Field Director
Senior Field Organizer
Campaign Manager (Small to Mid-Size)

Advancement To:

National Field Director
Campaign Director / Campaign Manager
Director of Organizing
Chief Operating Officer

Lateral Moves:

Political Director
Community Engagement Director
Director of Public Affairs

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive, data-driven field plan designed to achieve specific goals such as voter persuasion, Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) targets, or supporter acquisition metrics.
Recruit, hire, train, and provide ongoing management for a diverse team of Regional Field Organizers, canvassers, and team leaders, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented culture.
Establish, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) for all field activities, holding staff accountable to daily and weekly goals for voter contacts, volunteer shifts, events, and data collection.
Design and oversee the execution of large-scale direct voter and constituent contact programs, including door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, text banking, and relational organizing initiatives.
Manage the field program's budget, including resource allocation for staffing, offices, and materials, ensuring all operations are cost-effective and financially disciplined.
Serve as the primary point of contact between the field team and senior leadership, providing regular, detailed reports on progress, challenges, and data-driven insights to inform overall strategy.
Oversee the integrity and effective use of the organization's CRM database (e.g., NGP VAN, PDI, Salesforce), ensuring meticulous data entry, list management, and timely reporting.
Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key community stakeholders, including elected officials, coalition partners, community leaders, and allied organizations to amplify our impact.
Develop and deliver comprehensive training curricula and materials for field staff and volunteer leaders on topics such as canvassing techniques, data management, and leadership development.
Plan, coordinate, and execute a robust calendar of field events, ranging from community meetings and volunteer trainings to large-scale visibility events and town halls.
Create and manage a powerful volunteer recruitment, retention, and appreciation program, focused on building a sustainable leadership pipeline and empowering local supporters.
Analyze field data, polling, and targeting models to make real-time strategic adjustments, reallocating staff and resources to maximize impact in high-priority areas.
Collaborate closely with Communications, Digital, and Political departments to ensure the field program is fully integrated with broader messaging and strategic initiatives.
Ensure all field activities are conducted in strict compliance with all applicable legal, financial, and ethical regulations and reporting requirements.
Develop and implement rigorous quality control protocols to ensure the accuracy of data collection and the effectiveness of all public-facing interactions.
Write, review, and approve scripts, talking points, and training materials used by field staff and volunteers to ensure message discipline and clarity.
Oversee all logistical aspects of field operations, including the setup and maintenance of field offices, and the procurement and distribution of necessary supplies and literature.
Lead regular check-in calls and meetings with the field team to review progress against goals, troubleshoot challenges, share best practices, and maintain team morale and focus.
Proactively identify and resolve complex logistical, personnel, and strategic challenges that arise in a fast-paced, dynamic field environment.
Act as a key public representative and spokesperson for the organization at community events, press conferences, and meetings with allied groups.

Secondary Functions

Support senior leadership with ad-hoc reporting requests and in-depth analysis of field performance data.
Contribute to the organization's long-term strategic planning process by providing insights and feedback from on-the-ground operations.
Collaborate with the digital team to integrate online organizing tactics with offline field activities for maximum supporter engagement.
Participate in cross-departmental working groups and planning sessions to ensure strategic alignment across the organization.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

CRM & Data Management: Expert proficiency in field databases and CRMs such as NGP VAN, PDI, or Salesforce for list-building, tracking, and reporting.
Data Analysis: Ability to analyze large datasets to assess performance, identify trends, and make data-driven strategic recommendations.
Budget Management: Experience creating and managing complex budgets, tracking expenses, and ensuring fiscal responsibility across multiple teams or offices.
Project Management: Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Slack, Trello) to manage complex timelines, deliverables, and team workflows.
GIS/Mapping Software: Familiarity with turf-cutting and mapping tools to create and manage efficient canvassing territories.
Advanced Spreadsheet Skills: Mastery of Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for data manipulation, pivot tables, and performance dashboards.

Soft Skills

Strategic Leadership & Vision: Ability to develop a long-term vision for a field program and inspire a large team to execute it effectively.
Exceptional Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly and compellingly articulate strategy to staff, stakeholders, and the public.
Team Management & Development: Proven ability to recruit, train, manage, and mentor a diverse, high-performing team, fostering a positive and accountable work environment.
Adaptability & Problem-Solving: Capacity to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, making smart decisions and adapting strategy in response to changing circumstances.
Interpersonal & Relationship-Building: Excellent skills in building rapport and cultivating strong, productive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Resilience & Composure: A strong sense of personal accountability and the ability to maintain a positive, solutions-oriented attitude under pressure.
Public Speaking & Presentation: Confidence and skill in presenting to diverse audiences, from small volunteer groups to large public forums.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree or 4+ years of equivalent work experience in a related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Political Science / Government
Public Policy / Public Administration
Communications
Business Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-7+ years of progressively responsible experience in field organizing, with at least 2-3 years in a management role.

Preferred:

At least two full cycles of experience managing a large-scale field program for an electoral campaign, non-profit, or issue-advocacy organization.
Demonstrated track record of successfully meeting or exceeding ambitious goals for voter contact, volunteer recruitment, or supporter mobilization.
Experience managing paid staff, budgets, and operations across multiple offices or geographic regions.
Proven success in building and leading diverse coalitions and working effectively with community partners.