Communications Director needed SEIU Local 1000 Sacramento CA

[Jim Potterton]

SEIU Local 1000 Communications Director

Sacramento, CA

We’re searching for a Communications Director who brings extensive experience in crafting winning messages and strategies in a progressive campaign and or advocacy setting, fluency in 21st century tactics and a record of success directing rapid response and crisis communications efforts.

You’ll lead a team of eight communications specialists and work closely with the leadership of the union to engage and mobilize key internal and external audiences for organizing, representation, bargaining, and political and legislative campaigns. Local 1000’s Communications Department is a full-service operation responsible for print, design, digital, video and earned media communications, as well as event production.

About Us
SEIU Local 1000 represents 95,000 California state employees in a wide variety of professional, administrative, health care, education and support occupations. The purpose of Local 1000 is to have the power necessary to give its members - and all Californians - the opportunity to have a good life, live in sustainable communities, and enjoy the fruits of social and economic justice. This purpose is achieved by engaging and developing its members and by creating strategic alliances with key leaders and organizations who share Local 1000’s purpose and values.

To learn more about our union, please visit SEIU1000.org.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Communications Director serves as key advisor to senior Local 1000 leadership in a variety of internal and external communications. They assist in developing short-term and long-term campaign strategies and plans for increasing the size, strength, activism and savvy of our union membership.
• The Director serves as chief speech writer for union officers.

The Communications Director is the manager responsible for leading a department of eight communications professionals charged with the following responsibilities:

• Development and implementation of Local 1000’s internal and external strategic communications plans, including in the areas of press, graphic design, mail and digital communications.
• Production of newsletters, website, social media content, press releases, public remarks and speeches, fliers, brochures, op-eds, talking points, letters to the editor and other materials.
• Development of proactive earned media and digital campaigns that reinforce, protect and expand awareness of the union’s branding and mission.

An ideal applicant will possess these qualifications:

• Strategic Vision: A successful record of implementing innovative internal and external communications strategies and initiatives that have contributed to significant advancement of an organization’s purpose and goals.
• Creativity: A record of effectiveness utilizing novel and creative approaches that engage constituent members, allies, and adversaries. Solid grasp of how to use emergent technology to connect across a wide demographic spectrum.
• Team Leadership: A record of assembling, inspiring and leading departmental and cross disciplinary teams that maximize staff talent and resources and leads to measurable results. Contributes to a work environment that brings out the best in others.
• Organizing/Results Orientation: Has shown results in building power and accomplishing goals through messaging, branding and related communications efforts aligned with the needs and aspirations of constituents and strategic allies.
• Effective Communicator: Strong interpersonal skills, evidenced in group and individual settings. A significant team contributor with political savvy. Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Self-awareness: A mature sense of one’s strengths and growth edges; a willingness to accept feedback non-defensively and operate flexibly in a complex and sometimes ambiguous work environment.
• Values Match: Demonstrated commitment to principles of organizational equity and inclusion. A core belief in the importance of empowering people through active engagement and collective action at work and in the community. Comfortable with taking direction from elected member leaders.

Additional Knowledge/Experience:

• 5-7 years’ experience in political campaigns and progressive advocacy communications, branding and media relations.
• Proven record of success directing rapid response and crisis communications efforts.
• Extensive on the record media experience.
• Familiarity with social media strategy and digital best practices.
• Project management experience, the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, and meet established deadlines.
• Experience in designing and implementing strategic communications plans for organizing and political campaigns, as well as collective bargaining.
• Excellent writing, editing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Familiarity with local and national media.
• Proficiency with both PC and Mac-based word-processing tools.
• 3-5 years’ experience supervising people and processes.

Education
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and a record of life-long learning including recent professional development work.

Degree in media, communications, marketing, writing, or related area a plus.

Compensation Package:
SEIU Local 1000 is prepared to offer a generous and competitive salary and benefits package consistent with experience, skills and demonstrated abilities.

To Apply:
To be considered for this position, please provide the following:

• Letter of Application which specifically addresses how accomplishments in your career match the qualifications we are looking for in this position.
• A current resume reflecting qualifications for this position.
• A sample of your work most relevant to this position.
• Links to your professionally-related social media presence (For example: LinkedIn).

All materials must be sent electronically to the following:

Margolies and Potterton, SEIU Local 1000, Search Consultants
Attention: Communications Director Search
jpott...@sbcglobal.net AND ka...@cornell.edu

For all questions regarding this search including confidential inquiries please contact:

Ken Margolies (East Coast)  |   Jim Potterton (West Coast)
ka...@cornell.edu           |   jpott...@sbcglobal.net
(845) 499-6636                    |   (831) 332-9324

This position is open until filled.