About the Candidate
Joey Ruzevich is a lifelong resident of the district, working-class advocate, and community-focused Democrat running for Congress in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District. Joey is a committed public servant who believes in fighting for the everyday families too often overlooked by career politicians and entrenched incumbents. His campaign is driven by a belief that leadership should be accountable, accessible, and rooted in real conversations with the people of this district — not Washington insiders. Joey is running to deliver bold, people-centered leadership on economic fairness, public safety, affordable healthcare, and strengthening the middle class. He is building a campaign focused on transparency, community empowerment, and authentic engagement with every part of the district.
Position Overview
The Campaign Manager will serve as the senior leader responsible for the strategy, operations, and execution of the Ruzevich for Congress campaign. This role requires a highly organized, strategic, and decisive manager who can build and manage an operation from the ground up. The Campaign Manager will oversee field, fundraising, digital, communications, compliance, and political outreach efforts — ensuring all parts of the campaign are aligned, effective, measurable, and mission-driven. This is a demanding, high-impact role in a competitive primary, requiring creativity, resilience, and a commitment to Democratic values.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Campaign Planning
Develop, implement, and continually refine the campaign’s comprehensive strategic plan (field, digital, communications, political, and fundraising).
Manage all day-to-day campaign operations, ensuring smooth coordination across all departments.
Set and track key performance metrics to ensure the campaign meets goals, benchmarks, and deadlines.
Build an accountable, inclusive, and professional campaign culture.
2. Team Management & Workflow
Recruit, hire, train, and manage staff, interns, and volunteers.
Coordinate with consultants, advisors, and external partners to ensure all work aligns with strategic priorities.
Oversee internal communications, meeting structures, task tracking, and decision-making processes.
3. Candidate Management
Manage the candidate’s schedule to maximize voter contact, fundraising, and visibility.
Prepare the candidate for events, call time, interviews, and stakeholder meetings.
Advise the candidate on messaging, political strategy, and rapid response.
4. Field, Organizing & Voter Contact
Design and execute a robust field plan, including voter targeting, canvassing, phone banking, text outreach, relational organizing, and GOTV.
Build and manage a volunteer base that reflects the full diversity of the district.
Ensure accurate data collection and reporting using VAN/Votebuilder and MiniVAN.
Develop relationships with local activists, grassroots leaders, precinct captains, and Democratic organizations.
5. Fundraising & Budget Management
Work with the finance consultant to execute the campaign’s fundraising plan.
Staff call time, manage donor follow-up, and support digital and grassroots fundraising efforts.
Assist in planning and executing fundraising events.
Oversee budgeting, cashflow, compliance, and vendor relationships.
6. Communications, Press & Digital Integration
Support message development and ensure consistency across earned, paid, and digital media.
Assist communications team with rapid response, drafting press releases, prepping the candidate, and coordinating interviews.
Ensure digital, field, and communications strategies are integrated and mutually reinforcing.
7. Political Engagement & Coalition Building
Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, labor unions, advocacy organizations, and community groups.
Lead endorsement outreach and manage political strategy within the district.
Represent the campaign in political, community, and coalition meetings when necessary.
8. Compliance & Legal Requirements
Ensure compliance with all FEC regulations and reporting deadlines.
Work with treasurer/compliance vendors to maintain accurate filings and financial documentation.
Qualifications
Required
At least one full campaign cycle of campaign experience (organizer, field director, deputy manager, finance staff, or similar).
Strong understanding of campaign strategy: field, data, fundraising, communications, and political.
Demonstrated experience managing staff or volunteers.
Exceptional organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
Strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills.
Proficiency with VAN/Votebuilder; ability to quickly learn new systems.
Ability to work long, irregular hours including evenings and weekends.
Commitment to Democratic values and electing leaders who put people first.
Preferred
Campaign management or senior-level leadership experience.
Prior experience in competitive or insurgent Democratic primaries.
Experience building systems and processes for start-up campaigns.
Familiarity with IL-06 political landscape is a plus but not required.
Reliable transportation, laptop, and cell phone.