Director, Institutional Communications

California Endowment; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 259,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401k matching

Job summary

The California Endowment seeks a Director of Institutional Communications to lead strategic communications, elevate its narrative, and strengthen its reputation across internal and external audiences in Los Angeles. This hybrid role requires on-site work 2 days weekly at the LA office with flexibility for other CA offices.

The role oversees executive communications, media relations, public affairs, crisis communications, and brand stewardship, guiding a team to advance equity and systems change

Qualifications

• Ten (10) + years of progressively responsible experience in communications or related field, preferably within philanthropy, nonprofit, or public sector organizations.
• Minimum five (5) years of staff management.
• Experience with media relations, digital communications, and brand management.

Responsibilities

• Develops and leads The Endowment’s institutional communications strategy aligned with priorities and long-term vision.
• Oversees executive and Board communications, media relations, public affairs, and crisis communications.
• Leads enterprise-wide communications planning for major initiatives and campaigns.
• Establishes measurement frameworks to assess effectiveness and organizational impact.

Skills

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Media relations

Health equity

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director, Institutional Communications

COMMUNICATIONS Full Time Los Angeles, CA, US

Salary Range: $173,000.00 To $259,000.00 Annually

DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

The California Endowment is seeking a Director, Institutional Communications , Los Angeles Office. Reporting to the Vice President, Strategic Communications and Narrative, this hybrid role will report 2 days on-site in one of our Los Angeles office. Other office locations (Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno and San Diego).may be considered for the right candidate.

We expect to accept applications until November 20, 2026. However, because we review candidates as they apply, the role may be filled before this date. To ensure your application is considered in the first wave of interviews, please submit your materials as soon as possible.

The California Endowment (The Endowment) is a private, statewide health foundation established in 1996 whose mission is to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. We envision a California that leads the nation as a powerful and conscientious voice for wellness, inclusion, and shared prosperity.

Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, the Endowment has regional offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno and San Diego, with staff working throughout the state. We challenge the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for people’s health. We believe that health happens in neighborhoods, schools, and with prevention.

Position Summary:

The Director, Institutional Communications leads The Endowment’s institutional communications strategy, ensuring a clear, consistent, and influential voice across internal and external audiences. This role is responsible for shaping and advancing The Endowment’s narrative, strengthening organizational reputation and influence, and aligning communications efforts to advance enterprise-wide priorities and strategic goals.

Working across the enterprise, the Director, Institutional Communications oversees executive and Board communications, media relations, public affairs, crisis communications, brand stewardship, and communications planning while ensuring that all communications advance our commitment to equity, community partnership, and systems change. This role also manages external communications partners and consultants and establishes measurement frameworks to assess communications effectiveness, influence, and organizational impact.

This position reports to the Vice President, Strategic Communications & Narrative, serving as a thought partner and strategic advisor to both leadership and departments to develop integrated communications strategies that amplify The Endowment’s mission, priorities, and impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications & Narrative Strategy

• Develops and leads The Endowment’s institutional communications strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, enterprise goals, and long-term vision.
• Shapes and stewards The Endowment’s narrative, messaging architecture, and voice across all audiences and communications channels.
• Identifies opportunities to elevate The Endowment’s influence, visibility, and impact through strategic communications initiatives.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to leadership on communications strategy, emerging issues, and organizational positioning.
• Ensures alignment and consistency of communications across both internal and external audiences, strengthening organizational understanding, engagement, and trust.
• Ensures communications efforts reflect tce+ principles and The Endowment’s commitment to equity, community partnership, and community-centered change.

Executive, Board, & Thought Leadership Communications

• Leads strategic communications support for the CEO, leadership team, and Board.
• Oversees the development of speeches, presentations, talking points, correspondence, and other executive communications.
• Positions organizational leaders as credible and influential voices on issues related to health equity, philanthropy, community power, and systems change.
• Identifies emerging issues, trends, and opportunities that position The Endowment as a leading voice within philanthropy, health equity, and systems change.
• Identifies and cultivates opportunities for public engagement, speaking engagements, publications, and strategic visibility.

Reputation, Media & Public Affairs Strategy

• Leads proactive media relations, reputation management, public affairs, and external positioning efforts that strengthen awareness and credibility.
• Builds and maintains relationships with journalists, media outlets, influencers, and key external stakeholders.
• Develops and implements crisis communications and risk management strategies to protect and enhance The Endowment’s reputation.
• Advises leadership on sensitive issues, emerging risks, and communications responses during high-profile events or organizational challenges.

Brand Stewardship & Enterprise Communications Planning

• Serves as the steward of The Endowment’s brand identity, messaging standards, and communications governance.
• Leads enterprise-wide communications planning for major initiatives, campaigns, announcements, organizational milestones, and strategic priorities.
• Ensures consistency, quality, and alignment across all communications platforms, materials, and audience touchpoints.
• Partners with departments across the enterprise to ensure communications strategies are coordinated, integrated, and aligned with organizational priorities.

Communications Operations, Partnerships & Performance

• Establishes communications goals, metrics, and evaluation frameworks to assess effectiveness, influence, and organizational impact.
• Monitors performance data and stakeholder feedback to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision-making.
• Oversees communications budgets and manages relationships with public relations firms, creative agencies, consultants, and other external partners.
• Ensures communications resources, investments, and partnerships are aligned with enterprise priorities and deliver measurable value.
• Builds organizational communications capacity through effective planning, systems, and operational excellence.

Cross-Functional Leadership, Staff Management & Collaboration

• Fosters collaboration across departments to create integrated communications strategies that advance enterprise priorities and goals.
• Leads, mentors, and develops a high-performing team, fostering accountability, continuous learning, and professional growth.
• Establishes clear strategic goals and performance expectations and conducts performance reviews for direct reports.
• Provides ongoing performance management by providing guidance, clear and consistent feedback, and supporting opportunities for learning and development for staff.
• Fosters and leads a diverse, collaborative, and inclusive work environment that welcomes points of view that are inclusive of each person’s professional, cultural, social, ethnic, and experiential backgrounds.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to articulate a clear strategic vision and align team efforts with organizational goals.
• Committed to and holds a deep understanding of how to advance equity through communications.
• Skilled at working toward shared goals alongside teammates, departments, and external partners.
• Ability to represent the communications team with authority and credibility with leadership, staff, media, and stakeholders.
• Adept at navigating ambiguity, shifting environments, and competing priorities.
• Excellent writing, editing, and messaging skills across diverse formats and audiences.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and team leadership skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to create culturally responsive teams.
• Problem solver, critical thinking allows anticipating what will be encountered and needed up ahead.
• Commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive teams and workplace practices.
• Ability to lead and develop a high-performing, diverse team through coaching, mentorship, and accountability.
• Familiarity with health equity frameworks.
• Ten (10) + years of progressively responsible experience in communications or related field, preferably within philanthropy, nonprofit, or public sector organizations.
• Minimum five (5) years of staff management.
• A bachelor’s degree in communications or related field is equivalent to 4 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with media relations, digital communications, and brand management.
• Experience working in California’s health and/or social impact ecosystem.

Salary Range:

Target Hiring Range: $173,000-$216,000

Full Salary Range: $173,000-$259,000
Compensation offers are determined based on the candidate’s relevant experience, market data, and internal equity. Most offers fall within the target hiring range, with the full salary range reserved to support growth and progression over time in the role.

TCE Benefits and Perks

• Shared medical and dental premiums for employees and eligible dependents
• 100% employer-paid benefits: vision, life and AD&D, STD, LTD and employee assistance program
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Reimbursement towards gym fees and/or wellness program and mental health care
• 9-80 schedule with synchronized off days
• Hybrid work schedule available for most positions
• 11 paid holidays + paid winter holiday closure
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• 401k plan with generous employer match and contributions
• Matching gifts program
• Paid parking or public transportation subsidy
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Monthly BYOD stipend

The California Endowment’s goal is to hire qualified staff reflecting the rich diversity of all Californians. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to advancing health and racial equity in California. We are committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are valued and respected. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We define diversity in broad terms to include race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, geography, socio-economic status, veteran status, and prior criminal history, in accordance with local, state and/or federal laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, apply for a position, or participate in the interview process, please connect with us at [e-mail] and describe the specific accommodation request for a disability-related limitation.