Deputy Director of Communications for Politics and Government Relations

SEIU • Washington, DC

45d • Onsite

About The Position

The Communications Deputy for Politics and Government Relations 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 demand policies that support working people. This role ensures that wherever people are consuming information—whether on social media, YouTube, podcasts, or group chats—they are seeing, hearing, and engaging with our message. The position aims to ensure that our message impacts the actions of voters and would-be voters to increase turnout and support for pro-worker candidates and policies. It also focuses on mobilizing SEIU members and community supporters to speak out, volunteer, vote and organize using creative, targeted communications strategies, building a narrative that unites members and voters across ideology and demographics to advance our agenda, and engaging new audiences through paid media, podcasters, influencers, and emerging media platforms that shape our culture.

Requirements

• 8-9 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 with advocacy and/or electoral campaigns.
• 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.
• Knowledge of video editing, ad and digital design best practices.
• Deep understanding of elections, policy making process and how to mobilize to impact both.

Nice To Haves

• Spanish language skills are a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the execution of SEIU’s government relations and political communications to build public support and understanding of our issues, create and mobilize new activists in support of worker issues 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 government relations teams and leaders 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.
• Uses a deep understanding of electeds’ interests to influence their actions and hold leaders accountable to promoting worker-friendly policies.
• Design and lead innovative, high-impact digital campaigns that drive SEIU’s racial justice 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.
• Oversee large-scale ad campaigns and multiple vendor contracts.
• Develops communications strategies that move SEIU members up the ladder of engagement—from awareness to action and from voters to leaders and activists.
• Ensures team’s programs create high-quality content that captures compelling stories that advance our narrative.
• Develop storytelling strategies that center workers’ experiences and connect 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.
• Has experience managing campaigners; manages a team of communicators and vendors for government relations work.
• Manages and mentors a multi-level team, including managers of managers.
• Directly responsible for the retention of government relations communications staff, including training, feedback, reviews, skill and career development.
• Prepares and monitors political and government relations communications budget, including budgets for campaigns.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed