Senior Communications Officer, The California Wellness Foundation

Senior Communications Officer, The California Wellness FoundationCal Wellness is a private, independent foundation established in 1992 with a mission to protect and improve the health and wellness of the people of California. As one of the largest health-focused foundations in California, with over $1 billion in assets, Cal Wellness is a nationally recognized leader for its strategic core operating support for grantees; public policy grantmaking; and a focus on violence as a public health issue. It is Cal Wellness' desire to promote equity and level the playing field so that everyone has access to good-paying jobs; healthy and safe neighborhoods; and quality health care services.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness) is seeking a skillful, creative, strategic communications professional to serve as a Senior Communications Officer focused on proactively elevating the voice of the foundation and its partners to expand visibility, influence, engagement and impact. This role requires the skills and experience to develop, execute, and manage strategic communications and the full range of communications tools and tactics that advance the mission of the Foundation. The Senior Communications Officer will report directly to the Director of Communications and serve as a key member of a communications team within the Public Affairs Department.
Cal Wellness is at an exciting inflection point under the leadership of a new President & CEO who envisions Cal Wellness stepping more fully into its role as a disruptive force that pushes the boundaries of traditional philanthropy, advocates fiercely for racial and social justice, and uses its voice and influence to improve health and wellness for Californians. The Senior Communications Officer will have the opportunity to amplify Cal Wellness' work using finely honed strategy, storytelling, and influence, collaborate across the organization, and serve as a senior strategic communications lead to the programs team and key program areas.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Success in this role includes the following:
Strategic communications leadership: Serves as strategic communications lead for key program areas and portfolios, providing advice on audience targets, communication strategies, and communications grantmaking. Manages expectations and resources to ensure goals are aligned with the departmental strategies and the foundation priorities.Messaging and narrative development: Able to synthesize complex issues and identify compelling central ideas to shape messages, stories and narratives to advance health and racial justice. In collaboration with program staff, plays lead role in developing core messaging for the foundation's grantmaking and strategic priorities.Writing and editing: Exceptional writer playing a lead role in crafting external communications including blog posts, talking points, op-eds, speeches and presentations. In collaboration with the Director of Communications, Programs Team, Director of Government Relations and other colleagues, increase the foundation's capacity to respond rapidly in key moments on priority issues by recommending when/how/if the foundation should use its voice. Supervises consultants and contract writers.Campaign strategy: Working closely with the director of communications, plays a lead role in developing effective campaigns and other sustained communications strategies with targeted audiences, clear goals and measurable outcomes.Amplification expert: Applies extensive knowledge of California media landscape to Identify ideas and stories for paid media and earned media outreach including news coverage and op-eds. Knowledgeable about a range of strategies to drive growth, engagement and impact. Works closely with Digital Communications Manager to shape messaging and content for the foundation's social and digital media channels.Collaboration and relationship-building: Cultivates strong and trusting relationships with colleagues to develop a deep understanding of foundation priorities and strategies. Able to collaborate effectively with grantee partners and identify opportunities to work collaboratively on communications strategies and projects.Capacity-building: Work with program staff to strengthen their communications capacity, advise on narrative strategy, and ability to serve as key Cal Wellness spokespeople by providing prep and support for interviews, speaking engagements, and developing tools to build capacity.Project Management: Work closely with the Communications Coordinator to provide ongoing project management and timely execution of all deliverables. Identify and manage relationships with consultants in close collaboration with the programs team to ensure deliverables are achieved on time and within budget.CANDIDATE PROFILE
The Senior Communications Officer position requires deep proficiency and experience in a broad range of strategic communications, media relations, and the full range of communications tools and tactics.
REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• Significant experience leading the development and implementation of social justice communications and campaign strategies
• Excellent analytic abilities and critical thinking skills, especially the ability to synthesize complex issues in clear and compelling ways.
• Superior writing and editing skills.
• Working knowledge of top social media platforms, metrics and effective content strategies.
• Working knowledge of video production, including storyboarding and scriptwriting.
• Media relations experience and savvy; existing relationships with California journalists are a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a diverse population: collegial, energetic, and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, grantee partners, and consultants.
• Highly organized, creative, and flexible, with strong project-, people-, and time-management skills; demonstrated ability to think independently and juggle multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated efficiency, effectiveness, accuracy, careful attention to detail, and quick turnaround.
• Ability to proactively problem solve, identify, and implement effective solutions, even when there is a lack of clear process or standards.
• Interest and ability to quickly learn the operations of the public affairs team at a philanthropic organization.
CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will embody Cal Wellness' core competencies:
• Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Communication
• Innovation
• Leadership
• Teamwork and Collaboration
LOCATION & TRAVEL
This position is based at either our Los Angeles or Oakland office, and is expected to have a periodic presence in both offices. Cal Wellness operates with a hybrid work model that includes both in-office and remote work. In-office attendance will typically be required Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Travel is estimated at up to 20% to engage with the team and have a periodic presence at our Oakland office and to attend meetings and convenings across the state.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The target starting salary for the newly hired Senior Communications Officer is $160,000 - $165,000 per year. The full salary grade for the role is $134,000 to $201,000 per year.
Highlights from our benefit package include: a variety of medical, dental and vision plans, a generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a 16% employer contribution, flexible paid time off, tuition reimbursement, professional development opportunities, 3:1 matching gifts, and the opportunity to work at a mission and values driven organization.
How To Apply
Resume review begins immediately, and candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. Candidates selected for advancement will be asked to participate in several interviews and a writing assignment. If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in our application process, please let us know.
The California Wellness Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse candidate pool. Additionally, we are a fair chance employer and welcome candidates with lived experience with the criminal justice system.

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