Campaign roles
What does a field director do?
A field director runs a campaign's whole field program. They write the plan and set targets for doors and calls. They manage the organizers and make sure every polling site is covered.
Field director duties
- Write the field plan: goals for doors, calls, and volunteers by week
- Hire, train, and lead field organizers
- Track progress against the plan and move people where the gaps are
- Plan who covers each site on the voting days
- Send the campaign manager the numbers each week
A typical week
Monday is numbers: last week's doors and calls against the plan. Midweek is coaching organizers and fixing short shifts. Friday is the weekend plan. Weekends are in the field at canvass launches.
Skills that matter
Making a plan, leading people, reading the numbers, and staying calm on election day.
How it compares to nearby roles
| Role | Owns |
|---|---|
| Field director | A field director runs a campaign's whole field program. |
| Field organizer | Owns one area and its volunteers |
| Campaign manager | Owns the whole campaign, including money and message |
Field director questions
Is a field director the same as an organizing director?
Often, yes. Some use both titles. On big campaigns, the organizing director works on volunteers and the field director owns the plan.
Who does a field director report to?
Most of the time, the campaign manager.
How many organizers does a field director manage?
On a local race, two to five. On a statewide race, regional directors sit in between.
How many volunteers will you need?
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