Director of Strategic Communications

  • Full-time

Company Description

For more than five decades, the Bainum Family Foundation has invested in the well-being of children and families, evolving our strategy over the years to reflect new thinking and learning and changing community needs. We know that systemic racism in the United States leads to inequitable child outcomes, in part by interfering with the ability of communities and caregivers (such as parents, grandparents, guardians, and early childhood educators) to create the conditions and environment needed for children to thrive. Because of this, we are striving to build an equitable society that supports all children and families, particularly those who have been systematically excluded from power, resources, and opportunity because of poverty and racism.  

Job Description

Job Title: Director of Strategic Communications  
Internal Job Level: Director 
FLSA Status: Exempt  
Supervisory Responsibilities: Communications Associate, Communications Manager Reporting to Title: VP, Organizational Learning and Effectiveness (OLE) 
Salary Range: $175,000 - $225,000

This position is remote, but the demands of this role require this staff member to be located in the Greater Washington, DC Metropolitan area.

Reporting to the Vice President, Organizational Learning and Effectiveness (OLE) and working collaboratively with senior leadership and others across the team, this leader will lead efforts to define, develop, refine and deploy a coherent, cohesive, and multifaceted communications strategy that maximizes the department’s efficacy to support the impact of the Foundation and its sister 501(c)(4) across internal and external audiences. They will serve as a key thought partner to the executive team and department directors, braiding together thematic and functional communications from a strategic goals and planning perspective. This leader will effectively develop and oversee execution of the strategic communication plans for the foundation and its affiliates, marshalling the organizations’ resources, influence and evidence base to drive a proactive agenda that engages and supports the organizations and communities the organizations aim to serve.
The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of strategic communications impact, demonstrating an ability to influence target audiences by shifting mindsets, supporting communities and fostering a culture that supports equity, knowledge sharing and accountability to strong performance. As such, this leader will need to be a highly strategic, collaborative professional and bring an understanding of communications at the enterprise level of complex organizations, including the myriad platforms and avenues through which communications can have the greatest impact (media relations, digital, brand strategy, social media, and the like). Compelling candidates for this position are highly motivated, self-directed, holistic in their thinking, and able to work well to synergize efforts across teams and departments. Incumbents
must have a keen sense of responsibility and the ability to both develop and implement thoughtful plans while also being flexible to emergent needs. The successful candidate will have demonstrated success in leading multi-portfolio teams and designing and leading communications campaigns or initiatives. They will be a consultative business partner and strong relationship builder. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills are necessary. Strong verbal and written communications skills are absolute musts.
The foundation’s and its sister 501(c)(4)’s work is structured through a portfolio of interconnected initiatives. All staff play a role in connecting and synthesizing knowledge across teams to further the organizations’ Missions and Visions.
DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) is core to who we are and what we do. It is not separate but at the heart of our work. We are committed to driving change that centers communities and results in equitable societies, starting with a commitment to equity and inclusion for our staff.
Specifically, we have committed to center racial equity and become an anti-racist organization. Our team is expected to demonstrate and uphold our core values as well as our commitment to DEI in every facet of their work. As part of this commitment, we expect all staff to gather, care for, use and openly share knowledge in ways that advance equity, support shared learning and amplify community voice and expertise. Given the power inherent in knowledge and information and the reality that communication efforts can either advance or hinder equity, this individual is expected to intentionally approach their work in ways that contribute to equity
We strongly encourage and seek applications from all qualified individuals whose racial, socioeconomic, ability status and other individual dimensions allow them to bring unique and diverse perspectives.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Communications Strategy and Operations

  • Leads the development, execution and impact assessment of organizational strategic communications plans that support the broader OLE function, mitigates risk, and advances strategy, outcomes and impact, both for the foundation and for its sister 501(c)(4) organization.
  • Leads the development, implementation and maintenance of high-impact strategic communications and branding plans that build brand equity and positions the foundation, its 501(c)(4) affiliate and its partners as trusted voices among key audiences.
  • Leads the development and implementation of an executive communications strategy that aligns with broader strategic communications.
  • Leverages both internal and external communications as levers to unify the Foundation, its affiliates, partners and community and other stakeholders around a shared vision for impact.
  • Provides guidance and leadership that strengthens the staff’s ability to devise and implement strategies that employ cutting-edge technology, innovative thinking and communications best practices.
  • Leads the alignment of distinct communications streams, supporting efforts to ensure that the foundation and its sister 501(c)(4) speak with consistent, clear and courageous voices.
  • Drives overall communication strategy and brand development.
  • Proactively identifies challenges, risks and emerging issues faced by the organizations. Works with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
  • Oversees the day-to-day activities of the Communications function, including budgeting, planning, staff development and performance management.
  • Oversees the evaluation of effectiveness and influence of the foundation’s and its (c)(4) affiliate’s communications activities and implements ongoing quality improvement measures.
  • Serves as communications representative on various cross-organizational working groups and committees, and participates in leadership meetings that inform strategy and shape the future direction of our programmatic work.
  • Develops and manages relationships with key partners and organizations
  • Identifies, advocates for and secures resources (e.g., staff and consultants), capabilities and processes needed for the Communications team to deliver on strategies and long-term goals.
  • Proactively connects dots, presents ideas and acts as a strategic business partner.
  • Drives cross-functional alignment through the establishment of consistent and effective communication and collaboration routines. Ensures that all Communications activities operate consistently and ethically within the mission and values of the foundation and its affiliates.
  • Models the organizations’ brands to internal and external partners.
  • Represents the foundation and its affiliates in industry-group conferences, professional associations and other public venues.
  • Provides for all staff a strong day-to-day leadership presence; supports an open-door policy among all staff.

Team Development/Management

  • Recruits and manages a team to support the implementation of organizational initiatives.
  • Promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
  • Mentors and develops staff using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis.
  • Establishes and monitors staff performance and development goal, assigns accountabilities, sets objectives, establishes priorities and conducts annual performance appraisals.

Qualifications

FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Equivalent combinations of work experience and training that provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will also be considered 

Qualifications 
Education/Professional Background 

  • Degree in Strategic Communications, Communications, Public Relations or other related field preferred. Commensurate experience will also be considered.
  • 12 to 15 years of strategic communications experience required, including demonstrated history of crafting and managing communications strategies in issue or policy campaigns.
  • 5-10 years of functional leadership experience in a management position that includes supervision and development of individuals and teams to drive outstanding performance.
  • Experience in communication of educational issues, particularly Early Childhood education, preferred.
  • Experience in 501(c)(4) strategic communications strongly preferred.
  • A history of developing and assessing communications metrics, measurements and analytics to guide high-level strategy—shaping the trajectory of efforts in media relations, digital, executive communications, and message development.
  • Extended track record of results-driven, people-centered leadership that effectively models courage, humility, and honesty to peers, direct reports, and supervisors alike.
  • Must be able to read, write and speak the English language at a college or commensurate level, perform mathematical calculations and analysis and interpretation of data required for the position and learn to interpret and comprehend company policies and procedures.
  • Experience serving as an effective and persuasive internal change agent—with a history of effectively introducing new communications strategies, tools or processes to an organization.
  • Demonstrated unswerving and thoughtful commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in previous leadership positions.
  • Impeccable written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize material quickly, identify strategic communications opportunities, and see and articulate the big picture.
  • Exceptional project and people management skills, including the demonstrated ability to think and act independently and manage multiple priorities and projects in a decentralized, matrixed organization.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills that support collegial, thoughtful and the professional working environment within the department.
  • Demonstrated track record of exceptional operational effectiveness — with innate instincts for how to get things done within and across organizations.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described below are representative of the requirements by an employee for successful perform of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may occur to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  


WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position will be remote during the COVID-19 pandemic with the option to work out of the Bethesda, MD office, as preferred while complying with the in-person work protocols that are in place (i.e., vaccination and mask requirements, reserving a workstation). Remote work requires logging onto your computer during work hours, responding to emails, and participating in video calls and meetings throughout the day; therefore, access to high-speed, reliable internet is crucial. The foundation provides all required equipment and supplies to undertake the tasks of the job (laptop, monitors, and other accessories) which are shipped to the employee’s home.  
As the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, the Foundation may adopt different hybrid operating practices in the future that could require more in-person work for this position.