SEIU Local 2015 is the largest local union in California, representing more than half a million long-term care workers (home care, skilled nursing facility, and assisted living center workers) throughout the state. We are also the largest long-term care union in the U.S. and the largest local union in SEIU. Our members are as diverse as the state’s population and united in their commitment to caring for California’s older adults and those with disabilities.
SEIU 2015 is a leading voice, advocate, and authority—both locally and nationally—for quality long-term care as we endeavor to raise standards in the industry for both our members and their consumers. Our members lead with their justice agenda and commitment to being an Anti-Racist Organization. For more information please visit seiu2015.org, @SEIU2015. Position
Summary
The SEIU Local 2015 Communications Deputy Director strengthens the union’s Communications Department by building the internal capacity of staff, managers, and systems to achieve department goals and organizational priorities. Reporting to the Communications Director, the Deputy Director is responsible for leading all aspects of staff development and department operations—ensuring team members are resourced, trained, and supported to deliver powerful communications campaigns that
amplify the voices of long-term care workers.
The Deputy Director focuses on staff development, quality control, and workflow systems, while also serving as a key partner to the Director in planning, evaluation, and organizational leadership. This
position ensures that the department consistently produces clear, engaging, and high-quality communications that mobilize members, shape public debate, and advance SEIU Local 2015’s mission.
The Deputy Director shows a demonstrated commitment to racial, economic, gender and social justice in messaging, leading staff, and interacting with colleagues and members. This position requires directing multiple staff and consultants working on high profile and sometimes confidential issues.
Primary Responsibilities:
Team Development & Capacity Building
- Lead training and professional development within the Comms Department, ensuring all staff have the information, tools, coaching, and growth opportunities needed to thrive.
- Strengthen quality control practices within the Comms Department, ensuring department outputs are effective, accessible, disciplined, and connected to union strategic priorities.
- Lead accountability and performance evaluation practices within the Comms Department.
- Supervise Comms managers and staff as assigned, providing direct coaching and evaluation.
Department Operations & Planning
- Partner with the Director on annual department and long-term strategic planning and evaluation that advances team goals and organizational strategic priorities.
- Contribute to the development and monitoring of multi-year strategic communications plans, ensuring alignment with the union’s overall strategic vision.
- Strengthen project management practices within the Comms Department, ensuring Comms staff and consultants collaborate effectively within the team and across departments.
- Strategic Communications Leadership
- Assist in developing, and lead implementation of, campaign communications, media strategy, member to member communications programs, message development and message discipline.
- Evaluate communications strategies and integrate lessons learned to improve future campaigns.
- Follow emerging media, digital, and organizing trends; equip staff with tools and strategies.
- Ensure the department makes full and effective use of all available communications channels, guided by a cohesive, long-term strategic framework.
Organizational Leadership
- Represent the Comms Department in cross-departmental meetings and collaborative projects.
- Help manage workflow between the Comms Department and other internal departments.
- Lead internal (staff) communications program including staff newsletters, meetings, and retreats.
- Lead on and demonstrate the organizations’ core values (Leadership, Compassion, Excellence,
- Accountability, Transparency, and Empowerment) through: High ethical standards; Training, nurturing and mentoring members and staff; encouraging teamwork and participation by staff and members.
- Serve as acting lead of the department when the Communications Director is unavailable, assuming key responsibilities during absences, leaves, or periods of high workload.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated success supervising, training, and mentoring staff, with a focus on leadership development and accountability.
- Proven ability to build systems that raise quality standards, strengthen team capacity, and sustain high performance.
- Experience in campaign communications, media relations, and/or public affairs in labor, advocacy, or social justice organizations.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with ability to develop strategy, plan, evaluate, and improve systems.
- Excellent collaboration skills and the ability to build constructive relationships across teams and with external allies.
- Commitment to racial, economic, gender, and social justice, to building a progressive labor movement, and to organizing the unorganized.
- Ability to work effectively in politically sensitive and fast-paced environments.
Experience:
- 5+ years of experience in campaign communications, media relations, public affairs, or related fields.
- 2+ years in a supervisory role, including direct responsibility for staff development and team capacity building
Scope and Nature of Supervision:
The Deputy Director of Communications reports directly to the Communications Director. The Deputy Director supervises staff and managers as assigned and may serve as acting lead of the Communications Department during the Director’s absence.
Working Conditions:
- Work is generally performed in the field with members and staff.
- Willingness and ability work long and irregular hours, including weekends and holidays.
- Willingness and ability to travel as required.
- Must have a valid California driver’s license, reliable use of car for work, and required automobile insurance.
Job descriptions are not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of every activity or responsibility that is required for each role.
SEIU Local 2015 is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. We are committed to finding talent that is not determined on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities—such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color—are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. SEIU Local 2015 is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings
