SEIU
 

Assistant Director
Executive Speechwriter

Based in Washington, DC

 

Job Category: Non-Bargaining Salary
Requisition Number: ASSIS002842
Type: Full-Time
Location: Washington | DC | 20036 | USA

SEIU (Service Employees International Union)
JOB TITLE: Assistant Director – Executive Speechwriter
GRADE: MGT F
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 and 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: Directs communications and speechwriting for SEIU's International Executives with a principal focus on maintaining coordination of topline messaging and voice for SEIU International President and Secretary-Treasurer, including public speaking engagements and internal union communications.

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

• Coordinates at very high levels in the organization to manage speechwriting for SEIU's international Officers.
• Manages and leads teams to input content and information for speechwriting and other visibility work for leadership.
• Produces communications for the President for internal events such as International Executive Board meetings and Executive Committee meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of key national communications priorities of the national communications team.

Management and Administration

• Manages officers' public speaking for the department, including planning, budgeting, and project management, and coordinates with leaders in divisions, departments, and field on those issues.
• Assists with media relations as an integral component of the national media team.
• 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 Deputy Director of Communications 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 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 degree in communications or related field. Five to eight years of related work experience or a combination of education and experience that would provide for the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Experience developing and implementing earned and social media strategy.
• Experience writing principal-level national speeches.
• Thorough knowledge of media relations strategies.
• Thorough knowledge of digital and print media.
• Excellent writing, verbal, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to continuously develop knowledge and skills related to use of rapidly changing technology.
• Knowledge of unions or other advocacy organizations.
• Skill in the use of personal computer including Microsoft Office Suite

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is generally performed in an office setting, but may also occur in a variety of settings that are conducive to advancing the goals of the organization which may include settings such as driving, work-site visits, rallies, strikes, or other union activities. Must be available for frequent travel with overnight stays and able to work long and irregular hours.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT: Candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for either a) a certain medical condition(s); or b) on the basis of sincerely held strong religious beliefs and practices; c) as otherwise required by law.

Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/5ZAQZkTYDOJEAIgQ4uo8OA

PI207439784