Application Guide

How to Apply for Campaign Director for Local Union Organizing Programs

at Service Employees International Union - SEIU

🏢 About Service Employees International Union - SEIU

SEIU is a dynamic, member-led union of 2 million workers in healthcare, public sector, and property services, uniquely committed to uprooting structural racism and building worker power through collective action. Working here means joining a movement that fights for economic and racial justice, with a strong focus on innovative organizing strategies and community alliances.

About This Role

As Campaign Director, you will architect and execute multi-faceted organizing campaigns that integrate field, digital, communications, research, and legislative components to win for workers. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape local union capacity to grow and achieve strategic goals, overseeing budgets, staff, and data systems to drive measurable results in high-stakes labor battles.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a check-in with campaign managers on field and digital metrics, followed by a strategy session with coalition partners to align on legislative asks. Afternoon could involve reviewing data dashboards, approving budget allocations, and coaching a junior organizer on using VAN for targeted outreach, ending with a call with local union leaders to coordinate upcoming actions.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Service Employees International Union - SEIU Is Looking For

  • A seasoned labor organizer with 10+ years of external experience, including at least 8 years planning/managing complex campaigns that combined field, digital, political, and communications strategies.
  • A proven leader with 7+ years of direct supervisory experience, skilled in managing diverse teams, allocating resources, and overseeing campaign budgets and data systems like VAN and digital tools.
  • Expert in building relationships across unions, community organizations, and government agencies, with a deep understanding of structural racism and commitment to equity in organizing.
  • Proficient in digital platforms (Zoom, PurpleText, VAN Dialer) and able to leverage data to drive strategic decisions, with experience in legislative and political engagement.

📝 Tips for Applying to Service Employees International Union - SEIU

1

Highlight specific campaigns you led that integrated at least three of: field, digital, communications, research, legislative, or political components—use metrics like new members organized or contract wins.

2

Emphasize your experience with data systems (VAN, digital tools) and how you used data to adjust campaign tactics; mention any experience with remote organizing or digital-first strategies.

3

Show your commitment to racial and economic justice by detailing how you've centered equity in campaign demands or team management—SEIU values this explicitly.

4

Tailor your resume to include supervisory roles with team sizes and budget oversight; use action verbs like 'orchestrated,' 'managed,' 'directed' for campaign planning.

5

In your cover letter, name a specific SEIU campaign (e.g., Fight for $15, Justice for Janitors) and connect your experience to their approach of building worker power through collective action.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express alignment with SEIU's mission to uproot structural racism and build worker power, and cite a specific example of how your organizing work advanced equity.", 'Detail your experience managing comprehensive campaigns with multiple components (field, digital, legislative) and your ability to lead teams through complex strategy tables.', "Demonstrate your proficiency with digital organizing tools and data management, and how you've used them to achieve campaign goals in a remote or hybrid context.", 'Mention your track record of building relationships across unions, coalitions, and government bodies, and your understanding of legislative and political dynamics in labor.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review SEIU's recent organizing victories (e.g., healthcare worker contracts, property service campaigns) and their strategic use of digital tools and coalitions.
  • → Study SEIU's racial justice framework and how it shapes their campaign demands, especially in local union programs.
  • → Familiarize yourself with SEIU's structure—local unions, joint councils, and the role of the International in supporting campaigns.
  • → Read about SEIU's use of data and technology in organizing, including their investment in platforms like PurpleText and VAN.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a campaign you led that integrated field, digital, and legislative strategies—what were the challenges and outcomes?
2 How do you approach building a campaign strategy table with multiple stakeholders, and how do you ensure alignment on demands?
3 Given SEIU's focus on racial justice, how have you incorporated equity into your campaign planning and team management?
4 Walk us through how you've used data systems (e.g., VAN) to track progress and pivot tactics in a real-time organizing drive.
5 How do you manage and develop staff in a remote environment, and what systems do you use to ensure accountability and morale?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus only on field organizing without showing integration with digital, communications, or legislative components—this role requires a holistic campaign manager.
  • Avoid vague language about 'team leadership'—be specific about number of direct reports, budgets managed, and how you developed staff.
  • Don't neglect to address racial equity—SEIU is explicit about structural racism; failing to mention it signals misalignment with their values.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Service Employees International Union - SEIU!

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