Communications Officer, External Engagement

Heising-Simons Foundation • San Francisco, CA

10h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Officer, External Engagement drives strategic communications that elevate the Heising-Simons Foundation’s voice and influence within philanthropic, nonprofit, and issue-specific spaces to advance impact across our funding areas: climate and clean energy, early childhood education, human rights, science, youth housing, and journalism. The primary responsibilities of the Communications Officer, External Engagement are to develop strategies and projects that advance the organization’s leadership and influence among defined key stakeholders, including partner funders, adjacent funders, grantees, and media outlets that cater to philanthropic, nonprofit, and funding area industry expert audiences. This role will partner with the communications team to develop impactful storytelling related to the Foundation’s overall purpose and impact, translating core organizational narratives and programmatic communications to key external stakeholder audiences. Additionally, the role involves cultivating relationships with key external stakeholders through direct outreach, advancing thought leadership pieces, and supporting in-person gatherings to foster awareness, connection, and learning with key external stakeholder audiences.

Requirements

• 10 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, external affairs, corporate social responsibility (CSR), or marketing, ideally within a mission-driven or complex organizational environment.
• A strategic thinker with a proven ability to translate high-level organizational goals and vision into actionable, stakeholder engagement plans and campaigns.
• A proactive problem-solver, with a sharp eye for identifying operational gaps and the initiative to design and implement creative solutions.
• An emotionally intelligent relationship builder who is responsive, warm, and clear; someone who naturally inspires trust and can navigate diverse power dynamics with diplomacy.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to distill complex ideas into compelling narratives for a variety of external audiences and platforms, including long-form, short-form, digital, and audio.
• Persuasive oral communications skills with the ability to read the room, engage internal and external audiences, and deliver compelling presentation decks.
• Familiarity with visual presentation, graphic design, and A/V production.
• Ability to travel occasionally to support key convenings, site visits, or represent the Foundation at events.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the philanthropic space and/or the Foundation’s core issue areas of climate and clean energy, early childhood education, human rights, science, housing, and journalism.
• Diverse lived experiences welcome.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the communications team to develop and execute plans for key areas of ownership that are aligned with the team’s overall communications strategy to increase the visibility and influence of the foundation in the philanthropic space and funding areas.
• Leverage media expertise to translate organizational expertise into external engagement strategies and campaigns that grow the Foundation’s credibility and visibility.
• Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders ranging from thought leaders to partners across various sectors, including philanthropy, nonprofit, social impact, government agencies, and higher education.
• Track the landscape across philanthropy, social impact, media, and key issue areas to advise on opportunities to engage stakeholders in the work of the Foundation and our grantees.
• Develop a coherent thought leadership strategy, including speaking opportunities, strategic partnerships, earned media in outlets, and convenings and events.
• Support preparation of key spokespeople and/or staff for external engagements, whether through talking points, frameworks, or coaching.
• Serve as writer and/or editor of thought leadership pieces (in partnership with staff).
• Serve as the communications lead for external engagement requests, coordinating across stakeholders as needed.
• Produce or oversee the production of internal and external briefings, talking points, speeches, and related content.
• Scope new opportunities to host or participate in meaningful digital or in-person events, gatherings, and convenings to engage key audiences.
• Serve as the communications lead for Foundation events and convenings, overseeing the end-to-end production of branded materials, copy, stage design, and overall “look and feel” to ensure consistent branding and messaging.
• Ensure that the organization’s identity and values are reflected consistently in all external engagements.
• Map and develop an integrated earned media strategy across niche outlets that cater to philanthropic, nonprofit, and funding area industry expert audiences.
• Cultivate relationships with key journalists, editors, and/or media makers to advance our communications goals.
• Build reporters lists and proactively pitch stories about the work we support and its impact.
• Serve as point person for media inquiries, coordinating with internal stakeholders and responding to inbound requests as needed.
• Produce or oversee production of media pitches, press releases, and media toolkits.
• Attend workshops and conferences to incorporate latest trends and tools into the organization’s strategic communications.
• Build and maintain relationships with professional networks in communications and media.
• Serve as a supportive, creative, and flexible team member.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and dynamic organizational culture.
• Participate in Foundation-wide activities, such as committees, internal culture-building, training, and strategic planning.
• Provide regular feedback to supervisor and colleagues both informally and as a part of the annual review process.
• Assist with the onboarding and training of new team members and colleagues in other departments.

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
• Flexible spending account (FSA) for medical and childcare expenses.
• 401(k) plan with an employer match of up to 16%.
• 3 weeks of vacation per year.
• Paid time off for sick, personal reasons, and holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees