Director, Strategic Communications

Position Title:

Director, Strategic Communications

Department:

Narrative, Communications, and Storytelling

Reports to:

Senior Director, Communications and Storytelling

Position Category

Full-Time

FLSA Status (for HR):

Exempt

Salary Range:

• $98,301 - $109,053 / year

Last Updated:

June 2025

About Race Forward

Race Forward's mission is to support communities and public institutions to achieve a just multiracial democratic society through governance that advances racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, we build strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Race Forward imagines a just, multiracial democratic society free from oppression and exploitation, in which people of color thrive with power and purpose.

Since 1981, Race Forward has brought a systemic analysis and an innovative approach to complex race issues to help people take effective action toward racial equity.

Position Summary

The Director, Strategic Communications in close collaboration with the Sr. Director, Communications and Storytelling to develop a multi-media strategic communications plan for the organization. This role will also support the Honest Education Action and Leadership (HEAL) Together program in developing and leading the implementation of its strategic communications plan to foster a positive narrative of public education as the foundation for a just, multiracial democracy.

Through the use of marketing tactics, strategic communications tools, media relations, and narrative storytelling, the Director, Strategic Communications will work with the Narrative, Communications, and Storytelling and HEAL teams to develop strategic content to advance Race Forward's and HEAL's goals.

This strategic, highly cross-functional role requires communications savvy, organizing communication expertise, and analytical thinking to define HEAL Together's communications strategy and campaign approach, and to develop content that uplifts our narrative for honest, equitable and full-funded public education.

The ideal candidate is a multi-faceted communications strategist who is fueled by storytelling and has a knack for creating strategic content that motivates a diverse group of people to take action. This person enjoys taking initiative and is well-versed in communication strategy and tools that can be used across a varied set of platforms to meet specific campaign goals.

Duties/Responsibilities

Content Strategy and Development - 60%

• Work in collaboration with NCS Leadership Team to develop annual content strategy, incorporating executive leadership, narrative storytelling, and media relations.
• Leads the development of content tailored for target audiences over multi-channel platforms, and leads the execution of those efforts to inform, educate, and influence both internal and external audiences.
• Manages the strategy and day-to-day implementation plan for effective content production, management, and delivery that evangelizes Race Forward's narrative and brand strategy, and advances our mission, vision, values and efforts across all digital platforms to attract, acquire, and engage a broad set of internal and external stakeholders and audiences.
• EnsurecampaigncontentalignswithRaceForwardandRaceForwardAction'sstrategy and organizational theory of change.
• Designs, produces, and/or reviews communications for use internally and
• Develops message frameworks for diverse audiences based on narrative
• Develops and refines messaging to ensure organizational consistency in all aspects of
• Work in close collaboration with the VP, Narrative, Communications, and Storytelling on executive leadership content, including thought leadership pieces, video content, etc.
• Partner with subject matter experts across the organization and the HEAL Network to develop unique, relevant, and valuable content.
• Collaborates with the NCS and HEAL Together teams to identify opportunities to streamline communication processes and develop new procedures that support inter-departmental work.

HEAL Together and HEAL to Win Support - 40%

• Collaborate with the HEAL Together program team to develop annual marketing communications plans that align with the organizational marketing communications
• Leads the design of HEAL Together and HEAL to Win marketing and communications content and campaigns that raise awareness and inform, educate, and influence internal and external audiences.
• Develops an annual strategic content plan to support the HEAL Together and HEAL to Win
• Identifies and shares opportunities for public and media relations, thought leadership initiatives, social media, and digital tools that support HEAL Together and HEAL to Win programmatic objectives.
• Collaborates with the Digital Communications Manager to measure and provide monthly reports on HEAL Together and HEAL to Win digital content KPIs with respect to month over month growth, trends, and high-level performance.
• Develop, consult, and monitor budget and resources related to marketing, communications and storytelling for HEAL Together.
• Serves as project manager when working with contractors and external partners for HEAL Together and HEAL to Win, collaborating on timelines to meet project commitments and to ensure deliverables are on time.

Required Job Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

To perform successfully in this role, incumbent should possess skills identified below:

• Content development, marketing, storytelling, and branding
• Ability to develop compelling content through the use of written words and visual
• Superior interpersonal, written, and verbal communication
• Creative instincts and a natural intellectual
• Cross-cultural appreciation and a history of building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and colleagues.
• Deep listening
• Ability to handle pressure with equanimity and to thrive in a fast-paced, and accountability-focused organization.
• Superb critical thinking skills with the ability to synthesize complex information, confidently make recommendations based on data, and work with an action-oriented and equity approach.
• A passion for the mission, vision, and core values of Race
• Equally comfortable thinking big and strategically as well as focusing on the day-to-day operational details
• Knowledge of current best practices for content
• Ability to work independently, within a team, and cross-

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years' experience developing and implementing digital communications content strategies and plans aligned with organizational brand.
• Experience developing and overseeing the development of impactful storytelling content across all content types (websites, newsletters, blogposts, emails, brochures, thought leadership pieces, and social media).
• Experience working in Asana or similar project management tools
• Experience using content management technologies including but not limited to keyword research tools, social media platforms, SEO and SEM.
• Knowledge of content marketing trends and techniques, including channels, technology, and analytics.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with both internal and external
• Demonstrated ability to deliver on multiple simultaneous tasks with
• Highly organized, strong attention to detail, and outstanding time management

Physical Demands

Able to sit for long periods, working on a computer.

Benefits

• Health & Wellness: 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Work from Home: Enjoy flexibility of a 100% remote work environment
• Home Office Stipend: Receive a stipend to set up and maintain home office
• And much more...

Travel Requirements

Approximately 15%

Race Forward Core Organizational Competencies

Racial Equity Advocates

Consistently demonstrates, through behavior, understanding of racial equity, institutional racism, and structural racism and the ability to apply that analysis to Race Forward work and culture. Demonstrates, through action, commitment to centering Blackness in both internal and external work.

Accountable and Self- Reflective

Consistently practices self-reflection; follows through on commitments; treats others fairly and consistently; confronts difficult issues despite discomfort and supports others who do so; shows strong commitment to personal and professional values; champions new ideas. Demonstrates a strong understanding of how identity and corresponding power dynamics impact interactions.

Transparent and Collaborative

Actively builds and sustains authentic, meaningful relationships with colleagues and external partners, across race and other group identities, to strengthen our work and create new opportunities.

Communicates clearly and directly with colleagues. Engages in ways that are solutions- oriented and productive. Is proactive to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings, especially across differences in identity and experience; works to foster a culture that allows all voices to be heard and is respectful and supportive of staff, without expecting perfection.

Strategic and Creative

Cultivates and generates new ideas and customized approaches that add value and foster innovative solutions; thinks critically, anticipating unintended impacts of decisions; engages the correct stakeholders with a specific emphasis on BIPOC communities, and identifies ways to connect their work to the work of other departments and teams as well as to Race Forward's mission, vision, and values.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in the position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills of the employee. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Race Forward is an at-will employer and may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice.

AAP/EEO Statement:

Race Forward is an active Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status,

veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

ADA Statement:

It is the goal of Race Forward to ensure that its programs, services, buildings, employment opportunities, communications, and work environments are accessible to all individuals, and to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.