Join a national organization committed to advancing a movement to race equity and health justice. 

Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for health equity and justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and health care are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. Learn more about our vision for the future in our five-year strategic plan. 

Position Summary 

Community Catalyst is expanding its communications team and is looking for someone with experience in equity-focused communications and capacity building to support a growing body of work and community partnerships at the state and local level. Specifically, this person will work alongside programmatic teams to grow community power by developing communications roadmaps and deploying strategies that center the voices of state and local partners; shine a light on systemic racism and social determinants of health; and promote language justice and cultural competency among internal and external audiences.

The ideal candidate will have a background in social change or impact communications, an ability to write clearly for internal and external audiences, and awareness of the ways racism and other forms of oppression have shaped health policy and health outcomes. They will foster trust and collaboration by centering the voices, wants and needs of community partners. And they will offer bold ideas, communications strategies and support to ensure policymakers and health systems are more responsive and accountable to the communities they serve.

This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by a staff union, Community Catalyst United, and specific employment terms may be subject to a future Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Supervision

  • Contribute as a member of the communications team under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Communications.
  • Support the day-to-day priorities that are set forward by programmatic leadership to build power with communities.
  • Coordinate daily with a Communications Associate on tasks and provide mentorship opportunities for growth across the team.

Responsibilities 

The Senior Communications Manager will report to the Deputy Director of Communications as part of a growing cross-functional communications team with purpose and intention toward advancing programmatic and organizational goals. They will have the opportunity to oversee priorities and activities of agency partners, lean on the wider communications team for support, and nurture a growing network of grassroots and community-based partners.

Narrative Development, Storytelling and Engagement Strategy

  • Work in partnership with program directors to develop narrative platforms for both internal and external audiences.
  • Identify and shape storytelling opportunities to amplify the voices of program leadership and community partners (media/statements, panels/events, photo/video projects).
  • Develop supporter engagement strategies, with specific attention to key audiences (state and local partners, policymakers, public health officials/health systems, donors).
  • Ensure programmatic milestones and communications products (reports, blogs, events) are aligned with organizational strategy, consistent in organizational branding and tone, and integrated into the larger editorial calendar.
  • Share lessons and insights as well as facilitate trainings and workshops, with Community Catalyst technical assistance (TA) providers on communications topics (spokesperson training, earned media strategy, digital media platforms).

Partnership, Mentorship and Training

  • Oversee the development of partner communications, leveraging data and community insights to improve engagement and outcomes (newsletters, social media strategy, PowerPoints).
  • Respond to partner wants and needs, hosting 1:1 office hours as well as training and support, to improve the communications capacity of grassroots and community partners.
  • Develop blogs and op-eds on behalf of Community Catalyst leadership and other communications products on partner efforts, accomplishments, and learnings.
  • Collaborate and brainstorm alongside partners around key moments and advocacy events and provide capacity for ad-hoc earned and social media strategies, as requested by partners.
  • Cultivate relationships with partners, centered on trust and collaboration, to enable community-led and informed storytelling.

Qualifications 

Required  

  • Bachelor’s degree plus 4 years of relevant work experience or 6 years of relevant work experience Commitment to race equity and health justice
  • Experience in social change activism and/or social change communications
  • Have worked at a foundation, non-profit, coalition, communications firm or advocacy/political campaign
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a remote work setting
  • Strong adherence to ensuring content and messaging are culturally appropriate, not performative, and reflect the experiences of diverse people and communities
  • Strong project management skills – with ability to move editorial products across teams
  • Excellent writing, editing and presentation skills, including for lay audiences
  • Ability to manage competing priorities, communicate clearly about challenges and opportunities, and respond to tight timelines when necessary
  • Experience providing training or assistance to organizations with limited (if any) communications capacity

Salary & Benefits 

  • Salary Range: $75,000 – $85,000
  • Generous paid time off policy 
  • Robust benefits package 
  • Location: Remote position, flexibility in supporting different time zones will be required  

Applicants should submit a resume as a document with a one page cover letter briefly summarizing their interest in and qualifications for the position to: jobs@communitycatalyst.org. Please put “Senior Communications Manager” in the subject line.