Senior Communications Strategist, Campaigns

Organization:

United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is North America’s neighborhood union; standing together to improve the lives and livelihoods of workers, families and communities. Our members work primarily in the retail food, meatpacking, poultry, food processing and manufacturing and retail store industries.

Location:

Washington, DC, near Metro (on-site)

Position Description:

The Senior Communications Strategist, Campaigns conceives, develops, plans and implements comprehensive and diversified strategic communications, media and messaging strategies to support UFCW’s objectives. This position assesses communications capacity across UFCW International campaigns and affiliates and develops strategies to improve communications effectiveness. The role works closely with the Director and Assistant Director, Campaigns to ensure UFCW communications programs and messaging are implemented effectively in the field.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned. This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented.

Conceives, develops and leads the implementation of strategic communications plans for assigned campaigns with minimal supervision.

Conceives and prepares cohesive communications packages for specific UFCW campaigns and programs, including written materials and visual content for print and digital platforms.

Ensures effective messaging strategy and brand identity are applied consistently across all platforms and audiences for assigned campaigns.

Assists with and/or leads the coordination and on-the-ground execution of rallies, press conferences and other events for assigned campaigns across the United States and Canada.

Develops functional expertise in UFCW-represented industries and topics related to the work performed by UFCW members.

Exercises expert judgment in identifying opportunities and risks in difficult messaging environments and provides crisis communications support, as assigned.

Develops and provides training and ongoing support for local leaders, members and workers on effective messaging, media-content production, and UFCW communications practices and platforms.

Assesses new communications technologies for union-wide program potential and recommends strategies to improve and expand the communications capacity of UFCW campaigns and affiliated local unions.

Works with outside organizations and partners to execute joint communications and campaign goals.

Provides communications support for UFCW conferences, International Executive Board meetings, and other work-sponsored and related events. Responsibilities include writing speeches and remarks, developing visual materials and presentations as directed, staffing rehearsals, and providing logistical support.

Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline. A minimum of five years of communications experience in communications and/or media relations or public relations for a nonprofit, political campaign or similar organization is required.

Experience developing and executing a comprehensive communications plan within a campaign environment is required.

Computer/Software Skills

Knowledge of word-processing and graphic-design software, including Canva, and mass email and text-message platforms.

Understanding of digital communications platforms, including websites, text messaging, social media, email and video, with an eagerness to adapt to emerging trends.

Experience using Microsoft Office, including Outlook and PowerPoint, as well as Google Drive and Zoom.

Communication Skills

Ability to write, prepare and edit creatively and clearly with minimal supervision. Strong oral communication and presentation skills, including public speaking, are required.

Exceptional interviewing skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly and elicit personal stories from speakers with varied backgrounds and communication abilities.

Ability to interpret abstract concepts and craft narratives that communicate complex information in a compelling, reader-friendly manner.

Ability to exercise discretion involving the relationships among the International Union, regional offices, local unions and members.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required

Ability to plan and execute the moving parts of a comprehensive plan effectively, with excellent documentation, follow-through and attention to detail, often with minimal supervision.

Ability to organize time efficiently and work quickly and accurately on multiple long- and short-term projects and last-minute requests.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and present potential solutions to supervisors.

Team player who takes direction well and works collaboratively.

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to coordinate among parties while respectfully managing differing priorities and sensitivities.

Ability to respond to and manage numerous requests from various sources in a timely and efficient manner while accurately incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders.

Understanding of basic graphic-design principles and effective visual communications.

Familiarity with the principles of videography and photography, with the ability to stage portraits, events, and photo and video shoots visually.

Job Demands

Experience working in a fast-paced environment with quick turnaround, both in the office and at designated work locations.

Proactive problem-solving ability, with the capacity to multitask and work effectively under deadlines while ensuring assigned campaign timelines are met with minimal supervision.

Work is often performed under stressful conditions, with multiple projects occurring simultaneously under deadline. Irregular or unpredictable hours are required. Frequent and last-minute travel is necessary.

Working Conditions

Work involves travel, sometimes at the last minute, and may require extended stays, typically five to ten days, at designated work locations. Occasional irregular and/or unpredictable hours are required. Most work is performed in a normal office environment but may also be performed at designated locations throughout the United States or Canada. Attendance at off-site events outside normal working hours may be required. The noise level in a normal office environment is moderate but may be loud at certain work locations.

Physical Demands

The position involves, but is not limited to, written and oral communication, use of a computer keyboard, close and color vision, sitting for long periods, stooping, bending, lifting and reaching.

This is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Reasonable accommodations will be provided pursuant to state and federal laws.

COMPENSATION

Salary Range: $78,633 - $95,570

The UFCW provides a very generous benefits package, including:

Duration:

We believe our success rests on recruiting and retaining a diverse staff. UFCW is an equal opportunity employer.

Women and people of color are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided pursuant to state and federal laws.