SEIU Local 32BJ

Communications Specialist

Based in Charlotte, NC

 

At the forefront of building the nation’s labor movement, 32BJ SEIU is changing the narrative around important social and economic issues facing working families. 32BJ is the largest union of property service workers in the nation. Our mission is to build and grow a diverse, effective, and politically independent organization of workers to change our lives for the better, improve our communities, and build a more just society.

32BJ is engaged in winning strong contracts for members, organizing workers, supporting progressive candidates for elected office and moving a broad policy agenda, such as paid sick days, expanding access to health care and the Fight for $15.

The Union has approximately 460 staff in sixteen offices from Boston to Miami. 32BJ SEIU represents over 175,000 property service workers including janitors, security officers, airport workers, and food service employees in 11 states and Washington, DC. We are an affiliate of SEIU, the Service Employees International Union.

32BJ SEIU’s headquarters are in New York City.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Communications Specialist will plan and execute communications to advance the goals of the union’s work in North Carolina and 32BJ as a whole.

The Communications Specialist is a key member of the Union’s communications team, responsible for external communications in North Carolina. Candidates should be creative thinkers, capable and skilled multi-taskers, who can utilize a range of communications tools to help advance our strategic organizing, political and contract campaigns. The Communications Specialist reports to the Regional Communications Manager. Responsibilities include:

• Working with Regional Communications Manager to drive and execute communications plans throughout the region, including media relations and digital media;
• Initiating contact with and responding to inquiries from print, radio, and television journalists; pitching story ideas and providing information to generate positive media coverage in the region;
• Building relationships with labor, immigration, political and other key media in the region;
• Writing news advisories, news releases, background pieces, message documents and other press materials for the union’s work;
• Preparing speeches, talking points, legislative testimony and public presentations for union members, leaders and allies, and developing them as effective spokespeople for media interviews, speeches, public testimony and other occasions.
• Managing freelance photographers, videographers, and other consultants as needed.
• Planning, budgeting, and executing paid media campaigns on all platforms as needed.
• Developing and posting graphic and written content for use on the union’s social media channels, and website.
• Training and developing union representatives, members and workers for public speaking;
• Other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum two to three years of experience in the field of journalism, or communications in labor, politics or advocacy organizations;
• Outstanding writer, able to create strong press releases, message documents and member communications materials;
• Familiarity with digital media tools and openness to expanding skills in this area;
• Demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice, especially work with union members, low-wage and immigrant communities;
• Experience creating communications for union or organizational members on advocacy campaigns preferred;
• Ability to work independently, coordinate across departments, handle multiple priority projects and meet deadlines;
• Fluency or knowledge of Spanish a plus;
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and flexibility in approach to project assignments and planning.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is full time and is based in the Charlotte, North Carolina office.
• This position may require hours outside normal business hours, including some nights, weekends and holidays.
• This position requires travel to worksites, events and member meetings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• This position is largely computer/office based, with many in-person and Zoom meetings as well as events.
• This position requires traveling to worksites/events and participating in events, marches and demonstrations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary for this role is $74,000 to $77,000. 32BJ provides a benefits package that includes employer-paid medical, dental and vision plans, for full-time employees and their qualified dependents) and retirement benefits, including a defined benefit pension plan and 401k. The Union currently offers a remote work policy of one remote day per week at the discretion of the manager.

APPLICATION
Please send a résumé and letter of interest to: HR@seiu32bj.org. Please use “Communications Specialist - NC” in the Subject line of your email.

Please note: 32BJ has implemented a covid vaccine mandate. Bona fide religious and medical exemptions are permitted with additional safety measures.

32BJ is an inclusive and diverse organization, committed to advocating for social, racial and economic justice. We promote diversity and strongly encourage applications from people who believe in our mission. We strongly encourage women and people of color to apply.

For more information on 32BJ SEIU, visit: www.seiu32bj.org.