Assistant Director - Executive and Internal Communications

JOB TITLE:  Assistant Director - Executive and Internal Communications  

GRADE: MGT F; $129,074.61

LOCATION: Washington, DC

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

The 2 million members united in the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are at the forefront of a movement to build power for working people and empower all workers to form unions, no matter what job they do. SEIU members are from every walk of life, every political party, every background, and every faith. They come from communities with their own stories and strengths, and that makes the Union all the more powerful because there’s strength in numbers. SEIU members work across the healthcare spectrum providing high-quality care and services. They are the workers who keep our nation’s airports running and make sure landmark buildings are clean and secure. They provide essential public services and give a foundation of learning to our youngest and brightest. SEIU members believe in and are fighting for a Just Society where all workers are valued and all people respected—no matter where they come from or what color they are; where all families and communities can thrive; and where we leave a better and more equitable world for generations to come.

PURPOSE:

Provide strategic communications management and expert-level writing communications for SEIU’s International Executive office with a principal focus on internal union communications to leaders, members and staff. 

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.)

National Communications

• Facilitates and executes content strategy and development of communications outputs developed for SEIU’s international executive office.
• Provides strategic management leadership and support of content and information for internal communications.
• Manages and executes executive communications for internal events such as International Executive Board meetings and Executive Committee meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of critical national communications priorities of the national communications team.

Management and Administration

• Manages internal communications for the department, including planning, budgeting, and project management, and coordinates with leaders in divisions, departments, and field on key
• Helps prepare and monitor communications budgets.
• Recruits, reviews, and recommends hiring for potential communications staff.
• Directly responsible for retention of communications staff, including training, feedback, reviews, skill, and career development (if applicable).
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the work of the department.

Contacts:

Must be able to represent the International Union with local leaders, members, staff, and outside organizations and utilize independent judgment and a high level of professionalism.

Interfaces with high-level organizational and external contacts, including:

• SEIU officers, International senior staff, project and program managers, field, political, and organizing directors, local union officers, and staff.
• External: news media, politicians, government officials, partners, and allies.
• Vendors: design and production companies, consultants, pollsters, freelancers, video and multi-media producers, and advertising agencies.
• Ensures that sophisticated choices are made about appropriate vendors and support services.

Direction and Decision Making:

Reports to the National Communications Director and works with extreme independence.

• Must have demonstrated ability to manage own work and work of others without supervision.
• Requires a high level of judgment and the ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Must use a high level of judgment and discretion in resolving problems within the Communications Department and throughout SEIU.
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality in handling SEIU affairs.
• Must be able to work with International and local union elected leaders and senior staff in complex and sometimes politically sensitive situations.
• Must be able to act and organize time with extreme independence.
• Must be able to handle multiple “priority” projects simultaneously and set and meet deadlines, and ensure that staff team does the same.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degre