Communications Director

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR –
CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS

TITLE:   Communications Director
DEPARTMENT:  Campaigns
REPORTS TO: Director and Deputy Director
LOCATION:  Headquarters [Washington, DC]

Temporary- Fund Position, not to exceed three (3) years

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The AFL-CIO Campaigns Communication Director develops and manages external and internal communications plans as a part of political and issues campaigns in targeted states. The campaign communications program has a multi-part purpose:
(1) to advance the goals of political and issues campaigns through external communications;
(2) to help shape a worker oriented message around key issues;
(3) to help the AFL-CIO shape the public’s opinion of today’s unions and make workers’ voices heard through on-the-ground activities
(4) to develop people with the skills needed to fill the labor movement’s growing need for effective communicators and activists.
(5)  to deliver rapid response around comprehensive campaigns and issues in key states

The Communications Director supervises a team of State Campaign Communications Coordinators who work in targeted states.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

• Develop comprehensive communications campaign strategies for both internal and external audiences in collaboration with Affiliates, State and Local Federation leaders and staff;
• Develop comprehensive communications campaign strategies for both internal and external audiences for all campaigns include electoral, legislative, issue, organizing and collective bargaining;
• Work with all media outlets relevant to specific campaigns and states for national, state and local campaigns;
• Craft messages for political and issues campaigns;
• Develop and execute communications trainings for union leaders, staff, and members;
• Monitor press coverage of labor and workers’ issues throughout the country and identify opportunities to cultivate earned media opportunities and garner media coverage for AFL-CIO campaigns;
• Work with union communications staff throughout targeted states to assist with strategic campaign communications planning and conducting external and internal communications;
• Pitch reporters on workers’ issues and AFL-CIO other initiatives;
• Stage press conferences and events;
• Develop, write, edit and distribute internal and external campaign communications materials, such as sample letters to editors, Op Eds and other materials as necessary and working with member activists to place LTEs, etc.;
• Utilize broad communications platforms with Digital Strategies department:  blogs, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Salsa, and other online, social media, broadcast and print communications;
• Produce regular reports on activity and background materials for internal and external use. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA or BS in relevant field is required;
• At least five years of relevant work experience in political communications and demonstrated success in relevant areas especially political or issue campaigns;
• Experience managing staff at multiple levels;
• Experience conducting media relations with at least 5 years of on-the-record experience;
• Demonstrated experience in developing comprehensive communications plans and personal work plans and goals;
• Experience working in politically sensitive situations with demonstrated diplomacy;
• Previous experience with unions, community, electoral and/or political organizations and other labor related organizations is preferred;
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in politically sensitive and high-pressure environments;
• Demonstrated ability to exercise excellent political judgment and discretion;
• Ability to work independently within context of a plan;
• Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks;
• Demonstrated strong analytical and resolution skills;
• Commitment to labor issues;
• Well-organized, thorough and attentive to details;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and work under tight deadlines;
• Demonstrated effective communicating skills, both oral and written, and the ability to make professional and persuasive presentations;
• Computer proficiency is required; database/spreadsheet, internet, word processing, online social networking skills.
• Ability to travel on a regular basis as needed, and for extended periods of time;

Writing sample is required.

AFL-CIO Human Resources Department
815 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006

Apply here: http://aflcio.hirecentric.com/jobs/

Equal Opportunity Employer