Manager, Digital Communications & Partnership at Specialty Equipment Market Association – WASHINGTON, District of Columbia

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serves as a leading voice for the worldwide car culture, representing over 7,000 member companies that create, buy, sell, and use specialty-automotive parts that make vehicles more unique, attractive, convenient, safer, fun, and even like new again. Business member benefits include product development resources, market research, networking, education, legislative advocacy and more. The Association organizes the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and actively supports the career and business opportunities that the aftermarket generates. The industry contributes nearly $337 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, supports 1.3 million jobs nationally, and generates $52 billion in parts sales annually. For more information, visit www.sema.org.

Position Summary:

SEMA is seeking a Manager, Digital Communications & Partnerships, to lead strategic digital engagement and content creator/influencer partnership efforts to drive the organization’s advocacy priorities. This role drives messaging, content strategy, and grassroots activation across digital platforms, ensuring SEMA’s issue education and legislative campaigns reach and mobilize key audiences.

This role will oversee SEMA’s content creator/influencer engagement program, manage digital advocacy initiatives, and collaborate cross-functionally in and out of the department to execute integrated campaigns that advance policy objectives and strengthen stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Influencer Engagement & Advocacy Partnerships

• Lead the development and execution of SEMA’s content creator/influencer engagement strategy in support of issue advocacy priorities across the automotive aftermarket and performance racing industries.
• Identify, cultivate, and maintain long-term relationships with content creators, influencers and digital amplifiers aligned with SEMA’s advocacy objectives.
• Develop and execute innovative content creator/influencer engagement campaigns that support legislative and regulatory priorities.
• Monitor industry trends, key moments, and culturally relevant events to inform proactive advocacy strategies and real-time engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with communications, federal affairs, state affairs, and political teams to ensure integrated campaign execution.
• Draft briefing materials, talking points, and educational resources designed to inform, educate, and engage creators are informed on SEMA’s policy positions and priorities.
• Lead outreach and engagement strategy for digital amplifiers; manage partnerships from identification through execution and evaluation.
• Coordinate virtual and in-person briefings and training sessions to strengthen influencer understanding of advocacy initiatives.
• Analyze program performance and engagement metrics; meet goals and adjust strategy based on data-driven insights.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for advocacy-focused content creators and partners.
• Develop retention and recognition strategies to maintain strong relationships with high-impact creator partners.

Communications & Digital Advocacy

• Develop and produce original digital content across platforms, including written, graphic, and video assets in support of advocacy campaigns.
• Conceive, script, film, and edit short-form video and static content and multimedia storytelling pieces that advance SEMA’s policy priorities.
• Draft press releases, statements, talking points, and other external-facing materials in coordination with the communications team.
• Manage and grow SEMA Action’s social media platforms, overseeing content strategy, collaborations, publishing, and performance optimization.
• Develop persuasive digital organizing content to identify, engage, and mobilize supporters and grassroots automotive enthusiasts.
• Produce longer-form advocacy campaign materials (e.g., sizzle reels, campaign recap videos, etc.).
• Monitor analytics and engagement metrics to inform content strategy and campaign optimization.
• Utilize CRM and digital organizing platforms to segment audiences, track engagement, and support targeted outreach and activation campaigns.

Pay Range: $85,000 - $110,000

Qualifications:

• 4-6+ years of experience in digital advocacy, public affairs, political campaigns, coalition building, or related communications roles.
• Strong awareness of online trends, personalities, and culture, and the ability message through a variety of voices for varied audiences (members, enthusiasts/advocates, congressional staff).
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated digital campaigns in support of legislative, regulatory, or issue advocacy priorities.
• Proven ability to identify content creators with whom to engage, and the build and manage relationships with influencers, digital creators, coalition partners, or external stakeholders in support of advocacy initiatives.
• Experience owning content creation from concept through publication, including ideation, drafting, scripting, basic production/editing, publishing, and performance optimization.
• Strong hands-on experience managing and growing social media platforms with the ability to tailor content to platform-specific audiences.
• Strong writing and message development skills, including drafting talking points, briefing materials, and external-facing advocacy communications.
• Ability to analyze digital and engagement metrics and translate data into actionable insights.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong writing, editing, and visual storytelling skills
• Proficiency in social media platforms and scheduling tools (e.g., Sprout Social, Buffer, etc.)
• Basic graphic design skills and familiarity with tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience in basic video editing
• Excellent writing, conceptual, analytical, and organizational skills
• Ability to attend events outside of traditional work hours and travel up to 20%

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities, skills, relationships or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.