Assistant Director of Communications for Organizing

SEIU (Service Employees International Union)

Job Title:  Assistant Director of Communications for Organizing                    Grade: MGT F
Annual Salary: $135,609.02
Location: Washington, DC, or All U.S.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: We are the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a union of about 2 million diverse members in healthcare, the public sector, and property services. We believe in and fight for our Vision for a Just Society: where all workers are valued and all people respected, no matter where we come from or what color we are; where all families and communities can thrive; and where we leave a better and more equitable world for generations to come. We are an anti-racist union determined to check corporate power and uproot structural racism through unions, worker power, collective action, and government, legislative, and political action. We fight for Unions for All and a Government that Works for All so that all of us, across race and place, can have power together in unions and participate fully in our democracy.

PURPOSE: SEIU’s National Organizing Hub drives the central mission of our union to win for working people on the job, in our communities, and in our economy and democracy. This Assistant Director position on the Worker Power team will be responsible for developing and executing public-facing national, regional, and state communications strategy around SEIU’s unionwide priorities and campaigns. As a key driver in our integrated structure, this position will work closely with the Assistant Communications Directors on the Movement Building and Culture Shift teams, as well as across disciplines and with SEIU locals and ally organizations to win economic and racial justice for working people in 2021 and beyond. A strong teamwork ethic, commitment to worker-centered movement building, and creative thinking are each key to success in this role.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Any one position may not include all of the specific duties and responsibilities listed. Examples provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in the classification.

• Lead the development and execution of vibrant and cohesive communications across SEIU’s organizing priorities, with particular focus on public-facing, worker-centered campaign communications to drive organizing breakthroughs.
• Work with the Deputy of Integrated Organizing Communications and other senior staff as required, to build and develop a team of campaign communicators to execute priority campaigns.
• Write and develop strategic communications plans and oversee the development of talking points and campaign materials, op-eds, background pieces, fact sheets, press kit materials, leaflets, brochures, and other collateral materials. Work with digital strategy, communications, and design teams to produce multimedia materials.
• Work directly with IU Division and campaign staff to create and share communications strategy, messaging, and materials, to drive engagement of workers and other stakeholders, and to build awareness of SEIU’s organizing demands.
• As part of the senior leadership team in the communications department, work with colleagues to coordinate strategic communications plans and goals, to tell one, cohesive story about our Unions for All fight.
• Support internal and cross-sector movement building.
• Provide consistent leadership and model good judgement as a key member of national organizing communications team. May directly supervise individuals on the national organizing communications team.
• Supervise the work of campaign communications managers, staff, and consultants, if applicable.
• Perform other duties as required to assist the International Union.
• Must be available for frequent travel with overnight stays required. Long and irregular hours.
• This position is responsible for clear and effective planning, budgeting, and project management, and coordinates with divisions, departments, and campaign leaders.
• As an effective manager, prioritizes the growth and development of communications staff that may report to this position, including training, feedback, reviews, skills and career development.
• Act and organize time with independence. This position will work with International Union staff, campaign staff, local leaders and members, nonunion workers, and community partners in order to implement and execute communications strategy. This position must be able to represent the International Union with independent judgment and a high level of professionalism.
• Handle multiple priority projects simultaneously and meet established deadlines.
• Model consistent leadership, intentional teamwork, and a desire to develop and grow as a campaigner.

QUALIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Five to seven years of related work experience or combination of education and experience that would provide for the knowledge, skills and abilities as laid out above.
• Knowledge of unions and other advocacy organizations preferred. Priority given to candidates with real-world communications and organizing experience, regardless of formal education.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is generally performed in an office setting, but may be required to work in other settings conducive to performing the work required to complete the assignment, such as field assignments. Long and extended hours and travel required. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: SEIU offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our values as a labor organization and our commitment to the well-being and long-term security of our staff. Benefits include:

• A comprehensive, employer-sponsored health benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• A defined benefit pension plan
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Additional benefits consistent with a mission-driven workplace

SEIU believes that workers deserve dignity, stability, and the ability to plan for their futures, and our benefits are designed to support that belief.