Director of Communications

The Children's Inn at NIH

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Children’s Inn at NIH operates at the intersection of family support, pediatric clinical research, and medical discovery. The Inn provides a free “Place Like Home” for families with children, teens, and young adults participating in clinical research at the National Institutes of Health, offering stability and comfort during extended treatment, and is seen as a vital partner to NIH. Philanthropic support makes this work possible, placing communications and storytelling at the center of The Inn’s future. As Director of Communications, you will play a central role in shaping how The Inn’s mission, impact, and partnership with NIH are understood and valued. In this role, you will help set and lead the execution of an integrated communications strategy focused on growing fundraising revenue, deepening donor engagement, and increasing national visibility. This requires a dual narrative focus: sharing the lived experiences of children and families who stay at The Inn, while also showing how The Inn’s partnership with NIH advances scientific discovery and improves public health outcomes. Drawing on audience data and strong editorial judgment, you will translate these stories into high-impact fundraising campaigns, earned media, and executive messaging. Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy and Communications Officer, you will lead a two-person communications team and manage external partners across digital, direct mail, and web. You will strengthen content quality, consistency, and workflows to build a cohesive and effective communications function. Working across the organization, you will advise senior leaders, including the CEO, and ensure staff have the tools and guidance needed to communicate The Inn’s story effectively. Your work will span moments both visible and behind the scenes, from preparing leaders for national media to supporting fundraising campaigns, events, and day-to-day engagement with donors and partners. This role is well-suited for a communications leader who understands how storytelling fuels growth and impact, and who is comfortable operating as both a strategic advisor and a hands-on partner across teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive communications and marketing experience, preferably in nonprofit, health, research, or academic medical environments.
• Demonstrated experience working with or alongside fundraising teams and leading integrated campaigns that drive fundraising revenue.
• Experience using data to improve fundraising campaign performance across digital, direct mail, and content channels.
• Excellent professional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing teams, projects, cross-functional work, and external vendors.
• Ability to advise senior leaders on messaging, media opportunities, and communications priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience representing an organization externally is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, multichannel communications strategy aligned with fundraising and organizational goals.
• Partner with senior leadership to position communications as a strategic driver of donor engagement, revenue growth, and brand awareness.
• Advise the CEO and leadership team on internal and external communications, including messaging, positioning, and reputational considerations.
• Serve as steward of The Inn’s brand, ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment across all audiences and platforms.
• Design and implement integrated marketing campaigns that drive donor acquisition, retention, and engagement.
• Collaborate with development and events teams to create and execute promotional strategies that maximize participation and revenue.
• Oversee audience segmentation and channel strategy to ensure effective reach across digital, print, and in-person touchpoints.
• Direct the creation, production, and distribution of all communications and marketing assets, including digital, print, and event-related materials.
• Own and evolve The Inn’s editorial voice; ensure all content is compelling, mission-driven, and audience-centered.
• Oversee website, email, and social media strategy to optimize engagement, conversion, and user experience.
• Ensure content operations are efficient, timely, and aligned with strategic priorities.
• Lead internal communications to ensure alignment, transparency, and engagement across the organization.
• Proactively manage reputational risk and ensure communications align with organizational values and risk management practices.
• Oversee media relations and external partnerships to strengthen The Inn’s visibility and credibility.
• Lead, coach, and develop communications staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative team culture.
• Manage external vendors and consultants to ensure high-quality deliverables, on-time execution, and budget adherence.
• Support organizational priorities through event participation, public speaking, and donor engagement activities.
• Provide supervision, training, coaching, and mentoring to the Communications and Media Relations Manager and the Social Media and Content Manager.

Benefits

• 20 days of vacation leave
• personal, sick, and volunteer leave
• 11 paid company holidays
• medical, dental, and vision coverage with an FSA option
• life and AD&D insurance
• long- and short-term disability insurance
• a 401(k) with a Safe Harbor contribution, discretionary match, and discretionary profit-sharing contribution
• tuition reimbursement
• a home office stipend

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director