Assistant Director of Communications for Politics - SEIU

SEIU (Service Employees International Union)

Job Title: Assistant Director of Communications for Politics         

Grade: MGT F

Annual salary: $132,301

Location: Washington, DC (HQ) preferred or Remote (All USA)

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 of a just society: one where all workers are valued and all people are 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: The Assistant Director of Communications for Politics will lead SEIU’s digital-first, narrative-shifting communications to:

• Saturate online platforms with worker voices and concerns so we’re dominating conversations, shaping narratives, and mobilizing people to vote. You’ll make sure that wherever people are consuming information—whether on social media, YouTube, podcasts, or group chats—they are seeing, hearing, and engaging with our message.
• Mobilize SEIU members to vote, volunteer, and organize using creative, targeted communications strategies.
• Build a narrative that unites members and voters across ideology and demographics to win political power for workers and advance our agenda.
• Engage new audiences through paid media, podcasters, influencers, and emerging media platforms that shape our culture.

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.)

Strategy and Execution

• Lead and direct SEIU’s political communications strategy to build political power, drive turnout and shift the public conversation on the economy and democracy.
• Develop innovative, narrative-driven messaging that resonates with workers, voters, and key political audiences.
• Oversee rapid response and real-time messaging across press, digital, and influencer networks.
• Coordinate with SEIU’s organizing, political, and digital teams to integrate storytelling, influencer activations, and paid media strategies.
• Work with research and data teams to analyze polling and data to optimize messaging and audience engagement.

Digital

• Design and lead innovative, high-impact digital campaigns that drive SEIU’s political and economic message to key audiences.
• Build and manage partnerships with influencers, podcasters and creators to extend SEIU’s reach beyond traditional political spaces
• Test and scale new tactics to meet people where they are and move them to action

Member Engagement

• Develops communications strategies that move SEIU members up the ladder of engagement—from awareness to action and from voters to leaders
• Supports training programs that empower members to tell their own stories online and in person to influence their communities.

 Shape the Economic & Political Narrative

• Develop storytelling strategies that center workers’ experiences and connects SEIU’s members' struggles to the everyday experiences of workers.
• Create bold, accessible, and culturally relevant messaging that challenges corporate power and makes economic issues feel personal.
• Turn data and polling insights into social-friendly content that moves opinion and drives action.
• Experiment with new ways to reach people—whether that’s interactive media, chatbots, meme culture, or IRL activations.

Management and Administration

• Manages a team of communicators and vendors for political work.
• Directly responsible for the retention of political communications staff, including training, feedback, reviews, skill and career development.
• Prepares and monitors political communications budget, including budgets for campaigns.

CONTACTS:

• Contacts include SEIU officers, executive staff, and other SEIU international staff, including Division/Department Directors, Local Union leaders and staff.

DIRECTION AND DECISION MAKING:

• Reports to the Political Director and the Deputy Director of Communications
• Works with a high degree of autonomy and independence
• Must exercise strong judgment, political sensitivity and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and ensure team members do the same
• Must be comfortable engaging with Senior leaders and navigating complex organizational dynamics

Education and Experience

• 8+ years of experience in political communications, digital strategy, organizing, or related work.
• Proven track record of leading impactful, digital-first campaigns that move people to act.
• Experience using paid and organic social media, influencer engagement, and content strategies to shape narratives.
• Deep knowledge of how to reach, mobilize, and engage working-class voters across race, geography and language.
• Strong project and team management skills with the ability to lead under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Spanish language skills, video editing, or design experience are all a plus, but not required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is primarily performed in an office setting but may occasionally occur in other environments as needed to fulfill job responsibilities. This role requires travel, including overnight stays, and may involve occasional evening or weekend hours. The ability to connect with staff and consultants across different time zones is also necessary.