Lead Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator

SEIU Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR)
Lead Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator

Location:

California, Washington (Seattle area) or New Mexico

The Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) is the largest house staff union in the United States. We are a local of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing more than 41,000 resident physicians who are dedicated to improving residency training and education, advancing patient care, and expanding healthcare access for our communities. CIR’s mission is to empower our nation’s interns, residents and fellows to fight for excellence for our patients.

The Committee of Interns and Residents, the largest resident physicians’ union in the country, is looking for a Lead Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator for our Western region. This position will be responsible for developing and executing strategic communications, media relations, digital campaigns, and public affairs strategies that advance our political, legislative, and community affairs campaigns. Working closely with the Political, Community Affairs and Communications teams, this position leads media relations, messaging, digital communications, storytelling, and content creation to build public support and elevate the voices of CIR members.

The role also supports legislative and electoral work through political analysis and strategic communications planning. The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator with strong writing, media relations, and interpersonal skills who is committed to advancing healthcare justice and the labor movement.

Develop and execute strategic communications plans that support CIR’s political, legislative, and community affairs campaigns. Create political messaging and strategic communications plans that include earned, paid, shared, and owned media tactics across a range of public affairs campaigns. Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Political and Community Affairs team, helping shape campaign strategy and plans. Provide guidance on communications risks, media inquiries, and sensitive public affairs issues.

Develop and maintain relationships with influencers, community leaders and reporters covering labor, healthcare, politics, and other relevant beats at the national and regional levels. Draft press releases, media advisories, statements, op-eds, talking points, and other communications materials. Identify and create opportunities to elevate the voices of CIR members in traditional and new media.

Develop strategic narratives and messaging that advance CIR’s political, legislative, and community affairs priorities. Identify and cultivate member stories that align with legislative and advocacy campaigns, translating personal experiences into compelling public narratives. Prepare and coach members for media interviews, legislative testimony, public events, digital media, and other storytelling opportunities. Create compelling digital content, including videos, Reels, graphics, and social media content, to amplify campaigns.

Translate complex policy, healthcare, and legislative issues into clear, accessible communications for members, the media, policymakers, community partners, internal audiences, and the general public. Review and edit a wide range of communications materials, including letters, statements, petitions, emails, web copy, and campaign materials, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and consistency. Draft memos, op-eds, talking points, messaging documents, strategic communications plans, and other written materials in support of organizational priorities.