Director of Communications and Community Relations

Organizational Overview:

The SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund (Training Fund) is a non-profit, labor/management partnership between major healthcare employers and the largest healthcare union in Washington State.  The Training Fund was formed in 2008 and is a statewide program that addresses the workforce needs of participating employers and supports the career, knowledge, and skill aspirations of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members. 

Position Overview:

The Director of Communications and Community Relations is responsible for communications, marketing, outreach and community relations, to support the strategic services and plan of the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training and Education Fund (Training Fund. This role plays a crucial role in in facilitating a strong labor/management partnership. They plan, implement, and oversee the overall marketing, communications, and outreach strategy for the Training Fund’s benefits and services, utilizing a variety of communications tools and channels, including print and digital promotional materials, website, direct mail, online marketing, social networks, conferences, surveys, emails, and advertising. They unify and align communications across channels. They prepare and follow an annual budget and analyze marketing and communication results and provide clear and accurate reports. They oversee new collateral material development and on-going evaluation of current communication materials.

The Director will consult and advise on the need of and most appropriate methods and techniques to publicize and promote Training Fund benefits and services, develop and implement changes for program effectiveness, and resolve complex issues or problems in the labor/management context.

This position, along with others in the Training Fund, is responsible for the safe, professional, and equal opportunity operation of all Training Fund activities.

The candidate must be willing to travel and work evenings and weekends as required.

Responsibilities

Planning and oversight

• Develop and execute a marketing, communications and outreach strategy, based on knowledge of Training Fund’s objectives and long-term vision. Maintain an immediate, short-term and long-term plan.
• This includes creating and implementing a strategy for becoming more visible in healthcare, government, college, workforce, labor, and other relevant stakeholder systems and reaching those not currently associated with or aware of the Fund; including a plan to cultivate and feature member success stories.
• Measure, analyze, and report on the effectiveness of communications, marketing, and outreach efforts.

• Strategize and plan in a team environment, including training fund staff, labor, and healthcare employers.
• Be a part of the executive leadership team to be informed of leadership priorities and decisions, and share a communications/marketing/outreach perspective.
• Lead assigned special projects. Maintain close communication with employers, union and other stakeholders throughout project implementation. Analyze and report on project effectiveness.
• Cultivate, lead, and manage a team of communications contractors, one staff person, interns and volunteers (writers, photographers, social media and website support, designers, people to network with union, employers and members, etc.) as well as coordinating with other staff who have communications/marketing/outreach responsibilities.
• Own and manage the Fund’s brand/identity.
• Participate in new product, website, social networking, and conference development.
• Develop and maintain marketing database which includes campaign timelines, contacts, communications, status and results.

Digital and print

• Continually look for ways to communicate existing Fund benefits and services in creative ways that will evoke a response from the employers, members, labor, government and workforce organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the creation of fresh and engaging content for social media and the website.
• Implement and oversee web and email advertising including SEM, mobile, and social networking.
• Produce marketing materials and presentations for specific projects on a short timeline that meets the needs of the stakeholders and the project goals.
• Collaboration with a variety of stakeholders prior to production of materials, presentations, or other communications.
• Write, edit, and proofread copy, design and/or direct design, and oversee production process for letters, postcards, brochures, proposals, speeches, newsletter, flyers, PowerPoint presentations, packages, print and electronic efforts, and other communications as required.
• Plan, write, design, and distribute subscriber emails to members and partners for awareness and marketing purposes; manage subscriber email lists and use analytics to monitor engagement.
• Oversee all marketing and communications collateral.
• Implement and oversee website maintenance and updates on a regular basis.

Community relations and outreach

• Develop and clearly communicate the scope and impact of Training Fund projects to all stakeholders–including an understanding of the strategic value each project brings to the organization’s core mission.
• Do presentations representing the Training Fund in a variety of situations including sensitive Labor/Management meetings
• Represent the Training Fund at meetings to build stronger partnerships.
• Proactively plan, solicit information, and work with Fund staff, union representatives and other stakeholders to develop communications processes, define priorities, provide the tools to support them and create an environment in which messages about Fund benefits, priorities and special projects can be communicated concisely, clearly, creatively, and effectively and support their communication needs in a timely manner to appropriate audiences.
• Educate people about procedures and processes for communicating the Fund’s messages. Meet them where they are in their level of understanding and help them come to know what we do and why we do it and how they can contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Fund’s communications.
• Oversee outreach scheduling and activities.
• Oversee and implement the planning, coordination and execution of Training Fund special events and conferences.

Internal communications

• Regularly update the Executive Director on all progress, challenges, and successes of ongoing projects.
• Connect with staff on a personal face-to-face and regular basis to understand their needs and wants.
• Facilitate internal communications so that Training Fund staff is well-informed about various projects and aligned on messaging.
• Prepare for, participate in, and present at staff and board meetings as requested.
• Serve as an “air traffic controller,” keeping communications requests on time and on budget.

Other related assignments as directed by the Executive Director

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• Skills to be a leader, big-picture planner, facilitator, creative director, problem solver, coach and motivator.
• Strong ability to problem solve, strategize and manage/prioritize/organize multiple tasks and projects.
• Exceptional communication skills including: presentation, reading comprehension, writing and editing, data analysis, and organizational/research skills.
• Ability to navigate well in labor/management settings and build and sustain partnerships with external stakeholders.
• Discipline in personal time management, self-motivation, accountability and responsibility. Can be depended on to get things done.
• Entrepreneurial vision that quickly recognizes an opportunity to capture a new audience and a sense of urgency and timing in reaching that audience.
• Current on creative, communications, and technological best practices and looks for opportunities to use this information to more effectively communicate with Fund members and other stakeholders.
• Experience directly managing and supervising staff, contractors, and interns.
• Ability to follow privacy policies (like the Health Insurance portability and Accountability Act, aka HIPAA) and respect confidential information.
• Ability to work with a diverse range of people.
• Knowledge of workforce development in healthcare and the higher education system.
• Professional appearance and demeanor
• Three years of experience with a labor/management organization or closely related type of organization.
• Five years’ experience in communications, marketing and outreach with a proven track record in developing and administering a communications, marketing, and outreach program.
• Working knowledge of WordPress, InDesign, Photoshop and Acrobat Pro, as well as Microsoft Office and Windows-based computer applications.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, humanities, public relations, or related field and three years of writing/editing experience; or equivalent education/experience.

Compensation:

Competitive compensation and generous benefit package, including medical, dental and pension. Salary Range $75,000 - $85,000 DOE. Full time exempt position.

Application:

A complete application includes:

• Cover letter which describes your interest in this position and how you meet the desired skill/experience and educational requirements
• Current resume which includes dates of all employment
• List of at least 3 references from previous employer/s

Position will remain open until filled.

Please email resume and cover letter to Audrey Slade at aslade@healthcareerfund.org.

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training and Education Fund

15 S Grady Way, Suite 321

Renton, WA 98057

(425) 255-0315

aslade@healthcareerfund.org

www.healthcareerfund.org

The SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training and Education Fund has a non-discrimination policy and is an equal opportunity employer. Women, persons of color, bilingual/multilingual and LGBTQ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.