SEIU (Service Employees International Union)JOB TITLE: Assistant Director - Executive Speechwriter GRADE: MGT FSALARY: $121,858LOCATION: 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 AdministrationManages 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 SuitePHYSICAL 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.