Career Opportunities

We are currently hiring for 3 open full-time staff roles; information and application instructions for each are below:

1. Creative Director

2. Press Secretary/Director

3. Field Manager

    

CREATIVE DIRECTOR - The Office of Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and Co-Founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, is hiring a Creative Director to lead digital and visual communications for the office.

• Leading digital content strategy and production for Rep. Underwood’s official channels and website. This includes managing external relationships with content creators, community partners, other Member offices, and digital outlets; tracking and monitoring digital performance to adjust strategy as needed; and producing graphics, videos, and other creative content in the Member’s voice for various platforms – from ideation to creation. 
• Overseeing visual communication, branding, and graphic design for the office. The Creative Director develops and implements the Member’s style and branding guides; produces consistent and high-quality graphics for digital and print materials, including social media assets, handouts, posters, digital ads, and more; and serves as the Member’s primary photographer and videographer day-to-day. 
• Managing a communications team that includes interns, freelance photographers/videographers, and at least one other full-time staffer. This includes developing and maintaining approval and production processes and assisting in hiring and onboarding new communications staff. 
• Leading paid communications strategy in coordination with the Chief of Staff, District Director, and Member. This includes managing a budget, identifying strong content and messages to uplift, directly placing ads for paid communications campaigns on various digital platforms and billboards, and ensuring compliance with all House rules and regulations on mass communication and otherwise. 
• Supporting the Member’s digital communications work in Democratic leadership and other special projects. 

• At least 3-5 years of experience in creative and digital strategy, with a focus on graphic design and digital content creation. Prior experience working in political campaigns, organizing, nonprofits, or government offices is preferred.
• Excellent videography, photography, and tech skills, including the ability to correctly capture multiple skin tones in a wide range of environments. 
• Experience managing direct reports, developing and maintaining systems and processes, and driving projects with a team. 
• The ability to juggle multiple competing projects and produce high-quality work under tight deadlines with strong attention to detail in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. 
• Curiosity, commitment to public service, and a strong interest in culture, storytelling, and design.  

• Résumé 
• Cover letter 
• 2-3 professional references including name, current title and organization, phone number, email, and a one-sentence description of your relationship to the reference. Of course, we will not reach out to these references without separately obtaining your permission. 
• Examples or a link to a portfolio of your design, video/photo, and content work 

PRESS SECRETARY/DIRECTOR – The Office of Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and Co-Founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, is hiring a Press Secretary. This is an in-person position located in our Washington, D.C. office, with occasional travel and telework opportunities. Title is flexible dependent on experience and qualifications. 

Core responsibilities of this role include:

• Drafting high-quality written materials in the Congresswoman’s voice or other preferred style in line with all congressional rules and regulations, including press releases, speeches, talking points, email newsletters, talking points, website content, and logistics memos. 

• Pitching and staffing traditional media interviews, managing press inquiries and proactive media monitoring, maintaining press lists, and building and maintaining district and national press relationships. This includes assisting the Creative Director with capturing video and photos of the Congresswoman in D.C. for social media and for events. 

• Managing logistics and tech for town halls, press conferences, and other public-facing events, both virtual and in-person.

• Working with the Creative Director to manage staff assistant and intern press duties, including overseeing daily press clips. 

• Collaborating with the Member and staff to proactively identify messaging strategies and opportunities that help us serve our district and elevate the Congresswoman’s work to our constituents.   

This is not an entry-level position. Essential qualifications for the role include:

• Minimum 1-2 years of on-the-record experience, with a proven track record of successfully leading work and building relationships with reporters, bookers, producers, and members of the traditional media. 

• A strong working knowledge of Capitol Hill norms and processes, including at least one year of experience as a full-time staffer in a congressional office. 

• Excellent organization, writing, editing, and proofreading skills, including the ability to write in a principal’s voice. 

• The ability to juggle multiple competing projects and produce high-quality work under tight deadlines with strong attention to detail in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. 

• Curiosity, commitment to public service, and a strong interest in media, writing, and storytelling.

The annual salary range for this position is $70,000 – $95,000. The position offers health coverage; comp time; retirement benefits with an employer match; paid sick, bereavement, and vacation leave; paid parental leave; paid FMLA leave; access to life insurance coverage; and access to the Student Loan Repayment Program. 

The office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, military status, marital or parental status. Women, people of color, and other members of traditionally underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply, please email Underwood.CommsJobs@mail.house.gov with “Press Secretary” in the subject line and the following application materials attached as one combined PDF:

• Résumé (Required)

• Cover letter (Required)

• 2-3 professional references including name, current title and organization, phone number, email, and a one-sentence description of your relationship to the reference. Of course, we will not reach out to these references without separately obtaining your permission. (Required)

• Examples or a link to a portfolio of your photography, videography, or digital content work (Optional) 

• brainstorming, organizing, and executing rapid-response pop-up events, such as community workshops, roundtables, and forums; 
• identifying key community events, resource fairs, meetings, festivals, and other local gatherings and representing the office at them; 
• building and maintaining relationships with local organizations, municipal partners, schools, faith-based organizations, local officials, nonprofits, and other community stakeholders, including by conducting regular road days across the 14th District;
• leading the Congresswoman's community advisory council program; 
• proactively maintaining awareness of local events, emerging concerns, and outreach gaps; supporting contact list updates and stakeholder tracking; logging community feedback and follow-up needs in office systems; 
• identifying opportunities and brainstorming new ideas for constituent and stakeholder engagement; 
• assisting with the planning, security coordination, and execution of larger public events managed by the Outreach Director, including town halls and press conferences; along with other duties as assigned.

Essential strengths of successful candidates include a commitment to public service and deep knowledge of our community in northern Illinois; the ability to execute high-quality projects and events on accelerated timelines; strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; the ability to represent the office professionally in public settings; exceptional planning, organization and time management skills; strong attention to detail and follow-through; the ability to quickly synthesize community feedback; comfort working independently in the field; strong written and verbal communication skills; and the ability to build trust with diverse communities and stakeholders. Applicants with experience in event planning and coordination, community outreach, organizing, nonprofit or civic engagement, stakeholder management, or other public-facing fields are preferred.

This is an in-person role based in Illinois’s 14th Congressional District, which stretches across Will, Kendall, Kane, DeKalb, Putnam, Bureau, and LaSalle counties. A valid driver’s license and access to a car are required (mileage reimbursement is offered); this role requires regular travel throughout the district and occasional evening and weekend work for events held outside of business hours. The Field Manager will work from one of our two district offices in Joliet or DeKalb when not in the field. Occasional telework flexibility may be available based on office needs and supervisor approval.  

The annual salary range for this role is $60,000-$70,000. The position offers health coverage; comp time; retirement benefits with an employer match; paid sick, bereavement, and vacation leave; paid parental leave; paid FMLA leave; access to life insurance coverage; and access to the student loan repayment program.   

The office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, disability, age, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, LGBTQ+ identification, family status, or military status. Women, people of color, other members of traditionally underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The office will contact the best qualified candidates to begin the interview process. To apply, please email Underwood.DistrictJobs@mail.house.gov with “Field Manager” in the subject line and the following application materials attached as one combined PDF:

• Cover letter
• Résumé
• Three references including name, current title and organization, phone number, email, and a one-sentence description of your relationship to the reference (of course, we will not contact these references without reaching out to you for your approval).