Director of Communications

Women Donors Network [WDN; 501(c)(3) organization] and WDN Action [WDNA; 501(c)(4) organization] are immediately hiring a passionate, seasoned, and inspiring Director of Communications to lead our communications function for both organizations. This is a full-time, remote role on WDN’s Management Team.

ABOUT US

Women Donors Network [WDN] is a national network of women donors [cis and trans], nonbinary, and gender-expansive individuals committed to protecting and advancing gender, racial, economic, and climate justice. As a growing multiracial and multigenerational community of donor organizers, we connect, grow, fund and mobilize together in solidarity with movements to transform people, culture, and systems rooted in justice. Through WDN Action, our c4 sibling organization, we work to transform policies, political infrastructure, and political possibilities by investing in advocacy and electoral strategies that center the leadership of historically excluded communities. Together, we envision a just and sustainable world where everyone can safely and freely determine their own futures. 

This is an exciting time at WDN and WDN Action as we embark on the first year of our bold new strategic plan. We are in a period of growth and transformation and are expanding our team of people who are passionate about social justice and motivated to amplify our impact. Our values are rooted in a culture of courage, commitment, curiosity, accountability, hope, and joy. You can read more about our path forward here.

We are a geographically distributed, remote team of 17 from a range of intersectional identities, including cisgender, BIPOC, and nonbinary people. We have a shared staffing structure across WDN and WDN Action, where our team dedicates a portion of their time to each organizational entity. We believe that a diverse team is integral to our work and strongly encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA+ and all other applicants from historically excluded identities in the United States.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of Communications will lead the communications strategy across WDN and WDN Action. The Director will have the vision and leadership to develop and operationalize a multi-year strategic communications plan that enables the organization to achieve its strategic objectives. Through the lens of narrative strategy, digital strategy, and internal/external communications strategies, the Director will help WDN/A grow a multigenerational, multiracial donor-activist network; strengthen our voice, presence, and influence in the field; inspire major gifts and fundraising; prepare thoughtful executive communications; and increase our membership’s connection and activation with the work and political landscape. 

The Director of Communications will be responsible for WDN/A’s communications platforms [including our public and member-only websites, asset management system, mailings and event platforms] and activities [including bi-weekly newsletters, impact stories, issue statements, political commentary, public relations, and social media]. Additionally, the Director of Communications will be expected to be an excellent people manager, developing and prioritizing the growth of Communications team members in alignment with organizational goals and priorities. The Director of Communications will have one direct report with the potential for the team to grow in future. 

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

As WDN/A continues to operationalize our new Strategic Plan, the Director of Communications will be focused on the following:

COMMUNICATIONS & MULTI-MEDIA STRATEGY

• Audit current communications strategies, platforms, metrics, and data tracking to update communications practices.
• Design and implement a values-aligned, multi-year communications strategy across earned and owned media to ensure that our work effectively informs, inspires, and converts key stakeholders.
• Leverage the communications strategy to meet strategic goals related to communications, including thought leadership, political commentary, donor mobilization, accessibility, positive user experience, and member education and activation to build and foster a multi-generational, multi-racial community.
• Create and review an editorial calendar in alignment with the multi-year communications strategy.
• Actively monitor and strategically capitalize on emerging trends in media and public relations, including digital media and other developments.
• Lead, create and design the development of communications collateral, campaigns, and other assets mobilizing WDN/A’s platform and network to maximize impact, in partnership with the Communications Manager.

STORYTELLING VISION, VOICE, & NARRATIVE POWER

• Update and execute a consistent, elevated vision for WDN/A’s brand to build partnerships, promote issue awareness, and mobilize more resources. 
• Drive the development of the annual report, conveying the work and impact of WDN/A and our grantee partners.
• Stay abreast of evolving political landscape and current events to craft timely, brief strategic analysis or summaries that connect to and advance WDN/A’s strategic priorities. 
• Oversee the collection of grantees’ stories and uplift stories to allow members and prospective donors to connect to WDN/A’s work and mission, learn about key issues, and mobilize transformational resources.
• Leverage communications platforms [including emerging platforms] and materials to broaden awareness of WDN/A’s programs, grantees, events, services, community, and priorities across key audiences.
• Develop copy with a bold, credible voice to understand audiences, meet members where they are, and activate members to prioritize learning, stewardship and engagement.
• Ensure WDN/A’s voice in the media is relevant, effective, and aligned with WDN/A’s brand, mission, approach, and impact goals.
• Consult on strategy for impact reporting, ensuring a seamless, people-centered approach to grantee check-ins and reporting so that WDN/A can amplify the impact of grantees’ work.

MEMBERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS 

• Redesign, manage, and leverage WDN/A’s listserv to ensure up-to-date, organic, and dynamic points of contact with the network.
• Strengthen and innovate communications assets and user experience in the membership portal.
• Develop strategy and materials for member newsletters, including blog posts, stories, and learning opportunities that boost member engagement, mobilization, and fundraising. 
• Share communications assets and member/grantee stories, programming, and reports internally with WDN/A staff to ensure team members are engaged, informed, and aligned on WDN/A’s voice and messaging.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS & BRAND AMBASSADORSHIP

• Act as a thought partner to the President & CEO by packaging stories, positions, and narratives to support external ambassadorship, leadership, and presence.
• Be responsive to emergent events, collaborating with the President & CEO and other WDN/A staff to create informed, thoughtful, and strategic communications.
• Develop op eds and public communications that convey strong brand presence and credibility, values alignment, and social justice-oriented perspectives.
• Craft public stances representing WDN/A’s brand and aligned with WDN/A’s Leadership and Board.
• Leverage social justice philanthropy expertise and mission alignment to enhance the thought leadership and influence of WDN/A and its President & CEO.
• Support and prepare the President & CEO for important communications by drafting talking points, issue area briefs, presentations, and other preparation materials.
• Steward and utilize productive, effective partnerships with peers to support the goals of WDN/A and its grantees.
• Advise WDN/A Leadership on strategy for public relations, media engagement, and public avenues for thought leadership.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Build and sustain a culture of collaboration, communication, excellence, and accountability in the communications team. 
• Collaborate with the President & CEO and other cross-functional partners on budgeting and other relevant WDN/A initiatives. 
• Coach and mentor peers to support their broader professional development.
• Lead, coach, and manage the Communications Team, aligning their scope with WDN/A’s strategy and goals.
• Manage and review the performance of the Communications Manager.

Requirements

PREFERRED CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of social justice philanthropy communications experience.
• A steadfast commitment to WDN/A’s mission, rooted in collective liberation and the ability to speak to, bridge and unite a dynamic audience behind our strategic path.
• Demonstrated track record in building and successfully scaling communications strategy, capacity and external influence; experience in a membership organization is strongly preferred. 
• Previous experience as a Communications Department Leader in a similar context [communicating across 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) work], with the ability to support, mentor, and grow varying skill sets and abilities.
• Understanding and fluency in the complexities that accompany communicating with a dynamic community of multigenerational and multiracial audiences, including differences across race, age, power, privilege, access, ability, etc.
• Attuned to political landscape and current events with the ability to craft timely, written analysis that connects to and advances WDN/A’s strategic priorities. 
• Verifiable experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with partners, donors, and media that strengthens our voice, presence, and influence in the field.
• Broad-based knowledge and experience with the full range of communications modalities with deep expertise in digital communications strategy, narrative strategy, executive communications, brand ambassadorship and public relations with an emphasis on storytelling.
• Demonstrated success leading well-organized, inclusive communications campaigns that inspire major gifts fundraising and increase our membership’s connection with the work and activation.
• Exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills and proficiency in Google Suite, Zoom, Slack and MacOS; experience WDN/A’s communications tech stack [Mailchimp, WordPress, Squarespace] preferred.

CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICS

• A collaborative, motivating and proactive leadership style. 
• A charismatic communicator with executive presence, commitment to transparency, a high level of emotional intelligence, and a willingness to have courageous conversations. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate plainly and directly – with empathy and insight.
• Ability to maintain a growth mindset even when met with challenges and able to problem solve by providing dynamic solutions.
• A flexible, agile working style that succeeds in fast-paced, entrepreneurial organizations that centers what is best for the organization, a culture of kindness and one team mindset.
• Outstanding team leadership, program management, relationship building, donor engagement and public speaking skills. 

CANDIDACY PROCESS AND TIMELINE

To be considered for the Director of Communications role, please submit an application, resume and cover letter. We will continue to accept applications for this opportunity until this role is filled, prioritizing applications received prior to May 1, when we will begin an initial application review. 

To protect the integrity of our structured candidacy process, we kindly ask that all applicants do not call, email or message our office or any member of the WDN Team or Board of Directors about this opportunity. We will review applications as received and will invite a short list of candidates to schedule a screening call with a member of our team.

WDN is an equal-opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. WDN encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. WDN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, country of origin, citizenship, ancestry, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, political affiliation, exercising one’s right to family care and medical leave, medical condition, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. WDN is not offering US visa sponsorship at this time.

Upon request, WDN offers accommodations for candidates with disabilities during the application, interview, and hiring process, such as additional time on hiring exercises, interview questions in advance, or closed captioning on Zoom.

Benefits

The base salary for the Director of Communications starts at $150K/year. This role is also eligible to receive WDN's Employee Benefits Package, which is inclusive of the following:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance [paid by WDN at 100% for employees and 80% for dependents]
• 401K Contribution [4% of your gross pay contributed by WDN and an additional 3% match of your gross pay]
• 20 Vacation Days, 14 Sick Days and 14 Company Holidays
• Partial Reimbursement of Your Internet and Phone Expenses
• Stipends to Support Remote Office Expenses, Co-Working, and Learning and Development