Director, Communications

NetHope is seeking a strategic, creative, and collaborative communications leader to serve as Director of Communications, a key partner to the Chief Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer (CPPO) and an essential force behind NetHope’s brand visibility, audience engagement, and communications strategy. This high-impact role blends strategic thinking with hands-on execution. You will supervise and mentor the Communications Manager and manage a portfolio of creative consultants, while also being an active creator of assets that reflect NetHope’s values and mission. The ideal candidate is a builder and connector. The Director is an exceptional communicator with strong strategic instincts, who enjoys both big picture and detailed execution, leads with both head and heart, and inspires collaboration across teams. You’ll play a key role in helping NetHope achieve its revenue goals, expand its visibility, and deliver critical programs to our community of nonprofits and those they serve.

Specific responsibilities include:

Strategic Communications, Brand Leadership, & Hands-On Execution (70%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-channel communications and audience acquisition strategy aligned with organizational priorities, revenue goals, and brand visibility objectives supported by the Communications Manager.
• Serve as lead writer and editor, personally producing and overseeing high-impact content, including messaging frameworks, talking points, presentations, impact stories, digital communications, email marketing, fact sheets, video scripts, social copy, web content, infographics, printed collateral, fundraising materials, press releases, partner communications, and promotional assets that drive audience growth and engagement.
• In collaboration with CPPO, lead NetHope’s brand and messaging strategy, developing and maintaining core messaging, narrative frameworks, brand voice and visual identity standards, and identifying new brand-building and audience expansion opportunities that elevate NetHope’s reach and impact.
• Work collaboratively across the organization to understand communication needs. Provide strategic consultation, triage and execute requests, and ensure excellent communications leadership, support, and alignment with organizational priorities with a focus on increasing audience participation, donor engagement, and program uptake.
• Lead and manage NetHope’s website strategy, including content creation and updates, news posting, user experience and architecture improvements, SEO and analytics tracking, and in coordination with the Communications Manager and web consultant ensure the site drives engagement, conversion, sustained audience growth, and brand visibility.
• Develop, execute, and refine a strategic communications and marketing plan and editorial calendar that drives multi-channel outreach, amplifies impact stories, strengthens brand awareness and increases engagement and conversion across all channels.
• Provide forward-thinking communications counsel to internal stakeholders and collaborate with CPPO and Senior Leadership Team on high-value, complex, or sensitive communications as requested, ensuring alignment with NetHope’s expanded marketing and growth priorities.
• Partner with the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy on aligned messaging, donor storytelling, and develop and maintain key materials as well as communications assets to elevate the visibility NetHope to current supporters and prospects and support donor recognition and visibility.
• Lead all marketing and communications for the NetHope Global Summit, including narrative strategy, digital marketing, website and registration communications, attendee and speaker communications, sponsorship collateral and activation, live event and platform assets and content, signage, press inquiries and media sponsorships, and overall acquisition and engagement strategies.
• Oversee and contribute to visual asset production by designing and editing digital assets such as social graphics, infographics, reports, event materials in collaboration with the Communications Manager and design consultant.
• Oversee digital marketing, analytics, and optimization across channels including SEO, email, social, paid media, audience segmentation, persona development, user journeys, testing strategies, and performance analysis to drive audience growth, acquisition, engagement, and conversion.
• Develop and maintain content and template library and asset management system to support efficient workflows, quality control, approvals, and team-wide use of communications materials.
• Oversee (and contribute to) communications and workflows for NetHope’s webinar series including planning, promotion, content preparation, and registration strategies.
• Provide rapid response communications including emergency response messaging, donation appeals, global and organizational event updates, time-sensitive media responses, and partner communications.

Team Management, Communications Operations, and Cross-Department Collaboration (20%)

• Develop, manage, and gain approval for budget and workplan for area of responsibility.
• Directly manage and mentor the Communications Manager, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable team culture.
• Recruit, hire, retain, develop, manage, and evaluate staff and contractors as needed to support NetHope communication goals.
• Champion NetHope’s collaborative culture by proactively working across departments, engaging others in communication efforts and keeping internal stakeholders informed.
• Monitor and optimize systems and procedures for efficient and effective functioning of the department and high-quality output.
• Develop and present compelling presentations and collateral for external stakeholders, draft and distribute department agendas and notes, and draft communications on behalf of CPPO and other leaders.
• Manage cross-departmental communications projects proactively, collaboratively, effectively, demonstrating strong teamwork and organizational alignment.

Communications Leadership (10%)

• Partner with CPPO to drive annual comprehensive communications strategy, goal setting, and team performance to meet year-over-year goals.
• Lead, participate, and support cross-departmental meetings, working groups, and internal opportunities to engage in high-level of internal team collaboration and innovation.
• Ensure communications function is aligned with NetHope’s philosophy and complies with internal policies and procedures.
• Represent NetHope at external events and attends workshops, conferences, events, as requested.
• Collaborates with CPPO to allocate internal resources effectively.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Personal Characteristics

• A passion for NetHope’s mission and for working collaboratively and nimbly in a fast-paced dynamic global environment
• Cultural sensitivity across all aspects of work
• Values and encourages diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives
• Solid judgement including handling of sensitive information
• Integrity/ethics beyond reproach
• Excellent at working in a networked & virtual team environment
• Ability to multi-task while maintaining vigilant attention to detail in a fast-paced working environment. Comfortable working in moments of ambiguity or urgency, able to adapt messaging and shift priorities when needed.
• A collaborative team player who builds strong relationships while working in a small, fast-paced team where everyone rolls up their sleeves.
• Clear communicator who listens well, shares information proactively, and engages with others generously.
• A flexible, solutions-oriented mindset – comfortable navigating change and working through ambiguity.
• A natural problem-solver who takes initiative and follows through.
• Strong project management instincts with a steady hand under pressure
• Curious, thoughtful, and eager to learn and grow within a mission-driven, highly collaborative, and matrixed team

Knowledge and Skills

• A creative thinker and do-er with experience developing content, growing audiences, and implementing campaigns across channels.
• Superior writing skills, editing, and verbal communication skills with ability to quickly synthesize detailed program information and professionally prepare dynamic content.
• Experienced team leader who builds high-performing, collaborative, and supported teams.
• Strong strategic planning, brand-building abilities grounded in data-driven strategy.
• Demonstrated success in designing and scaling audience acquisition strategies that deliver successful results.
• Ability to work independently; strong organizational and time management skills with ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Strong project management skills and comfort working across functions with limited resources.
• Ability to navigate change, complexity, and ambiguity while maintaining strategic focus.
• Relevant work experience in nonprofit communications and marketing; knowledge of international humanitarian and development sectors a plus.
• Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to toggle between high-level planning and day-to-day execution.
• Strong experience to incorporate technology and innovate to develop best-in-class nonprofit communications functions.

Education and Experience

• Nine to twelve years of experience in progressively responsible communication leadership positions.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding ambitious communication goals and developing and implementing strategy in a multi-dimensional nonprofit organization.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution preferred or equivalent work experience.
• NetHope Member experience highly valued, other NGO experience a plus.
• Experience with Salesforce, Instil, Asana, prospect research, Microsoft Office Suite, preferred.
• Superior writing skills, with ability to quickly synthesize detailed program information and professionally prepare funder-facing materials to include fact sheets, concept notes, proposals, grant reports and updates.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with internal and external stakeholders, navigating complex conversations to drive decision-making on funding opportunities.

Reporting and Working Conditions:

• This position is a full-time position that reports to CPPO and works closely with development, communications, engagement, programs, and finance teams.
• NetHope is a virtual organization, so our team, our Members, and our Partners are located around the world. Due to the global nature of the organization, meetings may be required at any time of the day to meet with our stakeholders in varying time zones. To meet these needs, NetHope embraces flexible schedules for team members, and we work with each other to be located globally, but still maintain a reasonable work time balance.
• As a global organization, we welcome qualified applicants with diverse backgrounds from various locations, and who may have non-traditional work patterns. Strong preference for candidates able to work Eastern Time Zone hours.
• NetHope is a networked team-oriented environment with staff working across functional areas to produce high-quality programs, services, and connections with our Members. We value open communication and believe that a staff working as a team produces the best outcomes.
• A reliable internet connection is required to perform the duties of the job and actively participate in on-camera meetings with both internal and external participants.
• This position is 100% remote and virtual. International or domestic travel may be required for 2-3 NetHope events annually and external events up to 15%.
• NetHope salaries are set according to in-country market benchmarking and salary bands, ensuring compensation is both equitable and competitive within each local labor market. The full compensation package includes additional benefits governed by country requirements and NetHope policies.

English fluency (reading, writing, speaking) is required for effective collaboration across our global team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and nationalities.