Communications Specialist

Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC); San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

403(b) retirement plan

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC) is seeking a Communications Specialist to coordinate communications strategies and ensure accessible, inclusive content across GGRC’s channels. This role collaborates with leadership and program teams to maintain consistent messaging and timelines.

The ideal candidate brings 5–8+ years in communications, with a BA in a related field and a preference for a Master’s degree. This on-site role supports disability-inclusive outreach and public affairs across

Qualifications

• BA in Communications, Marketing, Business, Literature or related field.
• 5–8+ years of experience in communications, public affairs, or related field.
• Experience managing social media for similar organizations.
• Experience coordinating communications across teams or departments.
• Demonstrated experience supporting disability inclusion, accessibility, and respectful representation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate communications strategies and tactics aligned with GGRC’s mission.
• Maintain calendars, planning tools, and cross-team workflows.
• Ensure accessibility and plain language standards across channels.
• Support storytelling and messaging reflecting GGRC’s impact.
• Collaborate with leadership and program teams to keep projects on track.

Skills

Public communications

Social media management

Cross-team coordination

Disability inclusion awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Marketing/Business/Literature

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Content management systems

Video/visual storytelling tools

Job description

Starting Salary Range: $75,518 - $90,621

GGRC is looking to hire a Communications Specialist for our San Francisco Office, also open to our offices in San Mateo, and San Rafael, CA. The Communications Specialist for GGRC serves as a go-to resource for quality, accessibility, and inclusive communications across all of GGRC’s internal and external channels. This role supports the implementation of communications strategies, manages workflows, and helps build and maintain the internal systems and practices that enable effective communication across the organization.

Working in partnership with GGRC leadership and program teams, the Communications Specialist focuses on project management, coordination, and execution of communications across departments. The role ensures that communications are clear, consistent, timely, and aligned, while keeping complex, multi-stakeholder projects on track.

At the center of this role is a commitment to accessible, inclusive, person-centered and disability-forward communication. The Communications Specialist helps ensure that all communications reflect dignity, clarity, and respect, and that accessibility is embedded as a standard across all of GGRC internal and external channels.

This position will require local travel within the Counties of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin. Periodic travel to Sacramento and throughout the state. Access to reliable transportation permitting travel to and between many different locations throughout the day to perform the outlined responsibilities of the position.

Responsibilities

• Communications Coordination & Implementation
• Implement communications strategies and tactics aligned with GGRC’s mission and priorities
• Maintain communication planning tools, calendars, and coordination systems
• Coordinate editorial calendars, cross-team content workflows, and messaging across teams to ensure consistency and alignment
• Track deliverables, timelines, and dependencies across multiple projects
• Ensure that requests that come through the website contact and elsewhere are routed to the appropriate department

Channel Management & Quality

• Serve as a quality control lead across all communications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with established standards
• Ensure all communications meet accessibility and inclusion standards (plain language, ADA compliance, multilingual access where appropriate)
• Manage and maintain communications channels, including website, social media, newsletters, and publications. Make sure information is accurate and current, especially on the website
• Use analytics, feedback, and community input to spot gaps or inconsistencies and drive continuous improvement
• Identify when to leverage external consultants or additional resources

Communications Culture & Capacity Building

• Implement an/or Support department teams in developing and delivering clear, consistent communications; maintain feedback loops that surface staff insights; and ensure materials are accurate, timely, and aligned with organizational priorities
• Serve as a resource and partner to staff, helping them communicate clearly and effectively
• Develop and maintain templates, tools, and guidance for consistent communications
• Support trainings and coaching to strengthen staff and board communication skills at all levels of the organization
• Reinforce best practices in accessible, inclusive, and respectful communication
• Help build a culture of clarity, responsiveness, and accountability in communications
• Support storytelling efforts by helping staff identify and capture compelling stories that reflect GGRC’s impact
• Identify growth areas and bring in third party experts as needed to strengthen the team’s communications skills

External Communications

• Coordinate communications to priority audiences, including individuals with developmental disabilities, families, providers, policymakers, and community partners
• Support development and distribution of external communications (e.g., announcements, updates, press releases)
• Ensure materials reflect dignity, clarity, and lived experience of the communities GGRC serves
• Coordinate media inquiries, public statements, and outreach logistics as needed
• Coordinate communications for events, including timelines, materials, and outreach, ensuring clear, consistent, and accessible information for all audiences

Issues Response & Leadership Support

• Support coordination of communications for time-sensitive or high-visibility issues
• Draft and refine messaging, talking points, and materials for leadership as needed
• Help track external developments (policy, media, community context) and flag implications
• Coordinate internal workflows to ensure timely and consistent responses
• Support preparation of leadership and board-facing materials
• Support special event planning and implementation as needed

What Success Looks like

• Communications projects are well-coordinated, on time, and aligned across teams
• Significant communications have been approved by appropriate leadership staff
• Staff have clear tools and guidance to communicate effectively
• Communications are consistently high-quality, accessible, and inclusive
• Content workflows run smoothly, reducing last-minute requests and confusion
• Leadership and staff are supported with clear, timely communications materials
• The organization communicates with clarity and credibility across channels

Requirements

Education/Experience

• Master’s degree preferred. Require BA (Communication, marketing, Business, literature, or related
• 5–8+ years of experience in communications, public affairs, or a related field
• Experience managing social media for similar organizations
• Experience coordinating communications across teams or departments
• Demonstrated experience supporting disability inclusion, accessibility, and respectful representation

Preferred

• Experience in disability services, healthcare, statewide government or regulatory agencies
• Familiarity with legislative and public policy processes
• Experience working in multi-stakeholder or highly regulated environments
• Experience with content management systems and video/visual storytelling tools Multilingual skills (e.g., Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog)

Benefits

What are the benefits to working with GGRC?

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including Medical and Dental benefits with a generous employer contribution and additional employer paid Life, Disability and Vision coverage

10% employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement account to help you save for the future!

GENEROUS TIME OFF BENEFITS!!!

No Really, We Mean Generous

13 vacation days, 15 sick days, 11 paid holidays, 6 personal holidays, and up to 5 paid days for continuing education

What makes GGRC so special?

GGRC values diversity, we believe in creating an environment where people of all backgrounds can collaborate to find solutions to complex problems. We are community minded and passionate.

GGRC values each person as a full, robust, and unique individual and interacts with each person in a manner that is respectful and responsive. We endeavor to place each person at the center of his, her or their own life. We approach each person as an expert on his, her or their own life and identity with a clear and attentive inquiry into what is important to, as well as important for, that one person (whether coworker or person-served, family member or other stakeholder).

Golden Gate Regional Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer