Communications & Digital Strategy Director (part-time)

The Office of Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab is seeking an experienced, highly skilled, and self-sufficient Communications & Digital Strategy Director to lead all communications, media relations, and digital content production for the Senator across Capitol and District operations. This role independently executes all written, digital, and multimedia communications; shapes the Senator's public narrative; manages media engagement; builds community trust; and ensures consistent, strategic messaging around the Senator's legislative, budget, and district priorities.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:
Under the direction of the Senator, Chief of Staff, and District Director, the Director is responsible for drafting press releases, speeches, talking points, op-eds, newsletters, e-alerts, and statements; creating and managing social media content; producing videos and graphics; capturing and editing photography and event footage; pitching stories to reporters; developing digital campaigns; curating and maintaining the Senator's brand; and facilitating outreach with organizations, constituents, and community leaders. This position also requires handling daily news monitoring, maintaining all digital platforms, preparing the Senator for public events, and staffing events as needed.

DUTIES :
Strategic Communications & Messaging

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with the Senator's legislative, district, and policy goals.
• Draft speeches, talking points, op-eds, statements, messaging frameworks, and narrative themes for all public-facing communication.
• Provide real-time communications guidance to the Senator and senior staff, including risk analysis and rapid-response strategy.

Media Relations & Press Operations

• Draft and distribute press releases, advisories, statements, and media narratives.
• Build and maintain direct relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and editorial boards.
• Pitch stories, coordinate interviews, secure coverage, and respond to media inquiries.
• Organize and execute press conferences, media availabilities, and editorial board meetings.
• Track coverage, correct inaccuracies, and manage the Senator's media reputation.

Digital Strategy & Social Media Content

• Develop and execute the Senator's digital strategy across all platforms.
• Create, write, edit, and publish all social media content including posts, videos, reels, graphics, and stories.
• Maintain a detailed content calendar and ensure consistency in tone, message, and branding.
• Analyze digital data to improve reach, engagement, and audience growth.

Multimedia Production (Video, Graphics & Photography)

• Capture and edit photos and videos at Capitol and District events.
• Produce high-quality multimedia content including video packages, explainers, graphics, and rapid-turnaround event content.
• Build and maintain an organized digital archive of all photos, videos, raw footage, graphics, and media assets.

Policy Communication & Public Education

• Translate complex legislation and budget items into clear, accessible public materials.
• Draft fact sheets, one-pagers, explainer documents, e-alerts, newsletters, and district updates.
• Collaborate with legislative staff to verify accuracy and consistency in all policy and bill-related communication.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, nonprofits, labor groups, advocacy organizations, and stakeholders.
• Develop messaging for town halls, roundtables, community meetings, and district events.
• Document constituent interactions and district success stories through video, photography, and written content.
• Support the Senator's in-person engagement through message guidance and event materials.

Monitoring, Insights & Rapid Response

• Track daily news, legislative developments, state and local political issues, and emerging crises.
• Produce daily news clips and insights and flag issues that require immediate response.
• Monitor public sentiment, social media trends, and opposition messaging.
• Adjust message strategy quickly based on fast-moving developments.

Website & Digital Platform Management

• Update and maintain the Senator's official state website.
• Publish newsletters, e-alerts, district updates, and public notices.
• Manage email lists, digital contact databases, and online engagement tools.
• Ensure compliance with accessibility and state communication requirements.

Event Preparation & Public Appearance Support

• Draft talking points, briefing memos, run-of-show documents, and message guidance for all events.
• Capture, edit, and publish event content for press and digital platforms.
• Staff the Senator at select district, media, and public events to ensure message alignment and strong communications presence.

Internal Coordination & Office Leadership

• The Communications & Digital Strategy Director is personally responsible for all coordination duties. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • cross-office collaboration,
  • workflow and project management,
  • brand and messaging alignment across the office,
  • internal briefings and updates, and
  • internal tools and management.

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
The ideal candidate will be familiar with the State legislative process, bill development and budget approval process, and proper journalistic and media practices. Familiarity with the committee and leadership structure and inter-relationships in the California Legislature is essential.

The Director must be a strategic thinker, exceptional writer, skilled multimedia producer, and proactive organizer who thrives under tight deadlines, manages competing priorities independently, and fully understands the demands of public service in the California Legislature.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree required. At least three (3) years legislative experience is required. At least five (5) years relevant experience is preferred. Please include verification of your degree with your completed application.

Candidates must possess outstanding written and oral communication skills, as well as attention to detail. The ability to assess the implications of news stories and public statements on legislative priorities of the Member is essential, and the ideal candidate will be able to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with staff, the media, and the general public.

Before being hired, candidates for this position may be required to participate in the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Employee Pull Notice Program and must complete a DMV Form INF 1101, which authorizes the release of their driving record to the Senate Rules Committee. You must possess a valid California Driver's License with a clean driving record. In addition you are required to have proof of liability insurance at all times. NOTE: Information from your driving record will be shared with the hiring supervisor which may impact your hiring status.

LOCATION, SALARY AND FILING DATE :
This position is located in Fremont, CA, but may need to travel to Sacramento and requires in-person attendance . The Senate's core business hours are 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and this part-time position will be scheduled to work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and may require after hours or weekend work.

Final salary will be commensurate with experience and education. Seniority and significant experience are required to reach the higher end of the salary range.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

BENEFITS :
The Senate offers a competitive benefits package, which includes:

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• 401(k) and 457 plans
• Flexible spending accounts

HOW TO APPLY:
Please use the "Apply Online" button above to apply.

A cover letter and resume are required in addition to the Senate application. NOTE : Please complete the Senate application in as much detail as possible. Include all work history for a complete review of your experience.

If you are unable to complete the online application, please email all required documentation to the contact listed below.

Nurges Gheyszada, Chief of Staff
Office of Senator Wahab
Nurges.Gheyszada@sen.ca.gov

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodation(s) if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding or requests for reasonable accommodations may be directed to Senate Human Resources at SenateRecruitment@sen.ca.gov .

The California State Senate values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment in which employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. The Senate believes the diversity of our employees and their unique ideas inspire innovative solutions to strengthen our ability to support the legislature. Join the California State Senate and help us support California communities.

Date Posted 11/13/25

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