Deputy Director of Communications for Politics and Government Relations in Washington, District of Columbia at SEIU

SEIU (Service Employees International Union)

Job Title: Deputy Director of Communications for Politics and Government Relations
Grade: MGT G
Location: Washington, DC, (HQ)

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: 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. 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.

• Ensure that our message impacts the actions of voters and would-be voters to increase turnout and support for pro-worker candidates and policies.
• Mobilize SEIU members and community supporters to speak out, volunteer, vote and organize using creative, targeted communications strategies.
• Build a narrative that unites members and voters across ideology and demographics to 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 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.

Digital

• 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

Member Engagement

• 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

Shape the Economic & Political 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.

Management and Administration

• 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.

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

Direction & Decision Making:

• Reports to the Director of Amplification and Movement Building and works in close contact with the Director of Government Relations, Director of Politics and Government Relation and Politics Hub Director
• 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

Qualification & Experience:

• 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.
• Spanish language skills are a plus, but not required.
• Knowledge of video editing, ad and digital design best practices.
• Deep understanding of elections, policy making process and how to mobilize to impact both

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.

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.