Deputy Communications Director

SEIU Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) Deputy Communications Director Based in Chicago, IL;
New York City, NY;
Washington, DC areas

About Us 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 over 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.

Job Summary CIR is looking to hire a Deputy Communications Director to be located in the Chicago, New York City or Washington, DC areas to join the Communications team. The Deputy Communications Director strengthens the union’s Communications Department by building the internal capacity of staff, managers, and systems to achieve department goals and organizational priorities. The Deputy Director is responsible for leading staff development and supporting department operations—ensuring team members are resourced, trained, and supported to deliver powerful communications campaigns that amplify the voices of residents, interns, and fellows.

The Deputy Director focuses on 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 CIR’s priorities.

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.

The Deputy Director of Communications reports directly to the Communications Director. The Deputy Director supervises staff as assigned and may serve as acting lead of the Communications Department during the Director’s absence.

What You’ll Do

• 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 staff as assigned, providing direct coaching and evaluation.

• 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.

• Assist in developing and lead the 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.

• Represent the Comms Department in cross-departmental meetings and collaborative projects as needed.
• Help manage workflow between the Comms Department and other internal departments.
• Serve as acting lead of the department when the Communications Director is unavailable, assuming key responsibilities during absences, leaves, or periods of high workload.

What Makes A Great…