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:
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%
HEAL Together and HEAL to Win Support - 40%
Required Job Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)
To perform successfully in this role, incumbent should possess skills identified below:
Required Education and Experience
Physical Demands
Able to sit for long periods, working on a computer.
Benefits
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.
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:
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…
For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.
For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.