Strategic Communications Director

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation; Los Altos (CA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement match 15%

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Vacation & Sick leave

Adoption benefit

Fertility benefit

Financial wellness

Volunteer time off

Matching gifts

Commuting assistance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is seeking a Director of Strategic Communications to oversee the Foundation’s communications across its three interrelated goals and grantmaking initiatives.

The ideal candidate will design and execute strategic communications that persuade key audiences and inspire them to act, serving as a thought partner and strong leader within the Leadership Team.

This is a full-time role with comprehensive benefits.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Foundation’s communications across its three interrelated goals and grantmaking initiatives.
• Design and execute strategic communications that persuade key audiences and inspire action.
• Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to advance the Foundation’s mission.

Job description

ABOUT THE DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION

The David & Lucile Packard Foundation was founded in 1964 by David and Lucile Packard. We work with people and communities to create enduring solutions for just societies and a healthy, resilient natural world. We have worked with organizations and leaders in the U.S. and worldwide to advance progress in the critical areas of science, ocean and land conservation, climate change, women’s reproductive health and rights, and the well-being of children, families, and communities.

At a time of multiple, intertwined crises globally and here in the U.S., the Packard Foundationbegan in 2021 a long-planned review of our grantmaking strategies. The first step of our process was to rearticulate our vision and mission, reexamine our organizational values, and create a strategic framework that builds on and honors the Packard Foundation’s past while advancing justice and equity in all that we do.

OUR VISION: A just and equitable world where both people and nature flourish.

Our new vision embraces a future where both people and nature flourish in a more just and equitable world. We explicitly acknowledge that the fate of people and the natural environment are inextricably linked. Solutions to the complex challenges we face must account for this interconnectedness.

OUR MISSION: We work with people and communities to create enduring solutions for just societies and a healthy, resilient natural world.

Our new mission takes on the critical work of addressing root causes of the challenges we face and mobilizing people for collective action. In addition to building on approaches that have guided our philanthropy for decades — working in partnership, committing to issues over the long-term, and grounding our work in science, knowledge, and data – we focus on understanding the systems that either accelerate or impede progress. It is only through just and equitable systems that we can find and sustain solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face today.

OUR VALUES: Equity, Integrity, Belief in Individual Leadership, Thinking Big, Respect, and Effectiveness.

In addition to clarifying our long-held values, we added equity. We will champion equity by treating people with dignity, honoring a range of ideas and perspectives from those closest to the issues, creating inclusive processes, and funding people who have been historically excluded to spur progress for all. For more information, including our definitions of key concepts, please visit our website.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Communications department is responsible for shaping internal and external communications that inspire people and communities to create enduring solutions for just societies and a healthy, natural resilient world. Our department focuses on producing engaging communications that embodies our commitment to justice and equity and contributes to consistent, positive experiences for our grantees and partners as we collectively work to accelerate progress towards our common goals.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Director of Strategic Communications will oversee the Foundation’s communications efforts to make field level change across our Foundation’s three interrelated goals and across our grantmaking initiatives. The ideal candidate brings a demonstrated track record of designing and executing strategic communications efforts that persuade key audiences and inspire them to act. The Director is a thought partner, relationship builder, and strong people and project manager. The Director deploys the Foundation’s resources and influence in service of our grantmaking goals. This is a new role, and an exciting opportunity to join the Packard Foundation as it moves forward in a new direction. The Director reports to the Chief Communications Officer and serves on the Foundation’s Leadership Team.

COMPENSATION

The position is full-time. The salary range for this position is $173,000 - $245,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation individual education, experience, tenure, certification, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data, including potential adjustments for geographic location. Offers are based on the candidate's years of experience and our practice of upholding salary equity within the foundation. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation offers excellent benefits for eligible employees. Current benefits include medical (HMO and HDHPs), dental and vision coverage; 15% employer contribution to employee retirement plan; life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and sick leave; an adoption benefit; fertility benefit; a financial wellness program; health advocacy services, paid time off to volunteer for nonprofit organizations; matching grants for employee contributions to tax exempt organizations; commute assistance; and tuition assistance.