Global Narrative & Editorial Director

Smile Train Bangladesh; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Smile Train in New York, NY, is seeking a Senior Director, Narrative & Editorial to shape the organization’s global narrative across digital, donor, executive, and program channels. You will steward editorial excellence, develop messaging, and ensure a distinct voice while maintaining one cohesive brand narrative.

The role partners with Development, Programs, Advocacy, and Creative teams to elevate communications and drive engagement.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, strategic communications, or content strategy.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple formats and audiences.
• Demonstrated success developing organizational narratives and editorial strategies.
• Deep understanding of digital communications and channel-specific content strategies.
• Expertise in adapting voice, tone, and messaging for different audiences while maintaining brand consistency.
• Experience managing editorial calendars and complex content workflows.
• Expert understanding of SEO, website content strategy, and social media best practices.
• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading teams and mentoring writers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve Smile Train's global narrative, aligning messaging with the organization's mission, strategy, and leadership.
• Translate organizational priorities into compelling stories for donors, partners, policymakers, healthcare professionals, media, and the public.
• Develop messaging frameworks and editorial themes that support integrated campaigns and elevate conversations around health systems, equity, and comprehensive cleft care.
• Serve as the organization's chief editor, ensuring excellence in writing, editing, accuracy, accessibility, and consistency.
• Establish editorial standards, style guides, and governance.
• Lead the editorial calendar and edit executive communications, speeches, reports, thought leadership, and campaign content.
• Oversee editorial strategy across the website, social media, executive communications, newsletters, email, campaigns, blogs, and organizational communications.
• Ensure each channel has a distinct voice and audience-specific strategy while reinforcing a cohesive brand narrative.
• Use audience insights and analytics to optimize content performance.
• Partner with Development, Programs, Advocacy, Executive Leadership, Regional Communications, and Creative Services to deliver integrated, high-impact storytelling.
• Provide strategic editorial guidance for fundraising, marketing, and organizational communications.
• Champion editorial quality, brand consistency, and inclusive, culturally responsive communications.
• Mentor communications professionals, strengthen editorial processes, and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Skills

Narrative development

Editorial leadership

Strategic storytelling

Cross-channel communications

Stakeholder management

Job description

Smile Train in New York, NY, is seeking a Senior Director, Narrative & Editorial to shape the organization’s global narrative across digital, donor, executive, and program channels. You will steward editorial excellence, develop messaging, and ensure a distinct voice while maintaining one cohesive brand narrative.

The role partners with Development, Programs, Advocacy, and Creative teams to elevate communications and drive engagement.