Director of Strategic Communications

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board•Portland, OR

8d•$130,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Northwest Tribes have long recognized the need to exercise control over the design and development of health care delivery systems in their local communities. To this end, they formed the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (also referred to as NPAIHB or "the Board") in 1972. Guided by a vision of "Health and Wellness for the Seventh Generation," NPAIHB is a 501(c)3 designated (non-profit) organization and Tribal organization, P.L. 93-638, under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) serving the 43 federally recognized Tribes in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (Northwest Tribes). Tribes become voting members of the Board through resolutions passed by their governing body. Each Member Tribe designates a delegate to serve on the NPAIHB Board of Directors. Led by our Board of Directors, NPAIHB's mission is to "eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) by supporting Northwest Tribes in their delivery of culturally appropriate, high-quality health programs and services." We have a staff of over 120 professionals dedicated to advancing Tribal health for the 7th generation in the Pacific Northwest. The NPAIHB's Strategic Plan 2025-2030 can be found here . Position Summary The Director of Strategic Communication (DSC) is a senior leader responsible for the overall management, delivery, and strategic direction of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board's (NPAIHB) internal and external communications (print, digital, and design). The DSC works in service to the 43 federally recognized tribes of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington by strengthening NPAIHB's development of accurate, up-to-date, and culturally grounded health and organizational information. In partnership with the Executive Director, the DSC oversees the organization's creative direction, communications strategy, and public relations strategy. As part of NPAIHB's Management Team, the DSC works to meet organizational goals in alignment with NPAIHB's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, ensures operational efficiency and fiscal compliance, and fosters a positive and productive work environment. Part communications strategist, part creative director, key responsibilities for this role include team leadership, visual communication design, interactive design, technical writing (including copywriting and editing), brand management, media relations, strategic planning, financial management, and performance oversight. The DSC reports to the Executive Director and serves as a member of the Management Team. This position is based at NPAIHB's offices in Portland, Oregon; the option of teleworking may be available with approval from the Executive Director. Local travel and/or overnight travel outside of the area is required approximately 20% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a creative field (e.g. art, fine arts, graphic design, writing), communications, public relations or a related field OR a combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. NPAIHB reserves the right to determine the equivalences of education and experience.
Ten (10) or more years in a creative field, marketing, communications or related field, in a leadership or management role
Ten (10) or more years of experience with executive and project management
Ten (10) or more years of professional experience as part of a creative design team (print, digital, web)
Seasoned communications generalist and skilled communicator who can strategize, plan, and delegate effectively
Expertise in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs
Excellent understanding of visual communication and design principles
Proven record of using communication strategies to successfully influence key audiences and help shape and/or change opinions on issues of importance to the organization(s) they have represented
Demonstrated expertise developing culturally informed communications for health; direct experience developing communications for a Tribe(s) preferred
Demonstrated experience building a Communication Department or growing a team which can effectively manage multiple projects and competing priorities with ease and excellence
Experience in developing and managing a communication strategy for incidents and/or urgent issues that potentially attract negative media attention
Strong technical writing skills, including editorial and copywriting, and the ability to produce polished professional writing under a deadline
Must be sensitive to cross-cultural differences, and able to work effectively within their context
Ability to work with minimal supervision, exercise initiative, and make independent decisions and recommendations
Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
Ability to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner
Ability to make professional oral presentations in settings at the national, regional, and community levels, as well as in Tribal settings
Ability to travel occasionally (approximately 20% of the time).

Nice To Haves

Direct experience working with Northwest Tribes
Experience in the planning, organization, implementation, and follow-up of health-related campaigns, resources, and materials
Vendor/contractor management

Responsibilities

Carries out communications priorities throughout the year, as directed by Northwest Tribes, and through the NPAIHB Strategic Planning process and/or annual federal and state policy priorities
Oversees, in collaboration with the Executive Director, the planning, implementation, and evaluation of NPAIHB's communication strategy including creative, media relations, crisis communications, and branding based on the needs and priorities of Northwest Tribes
Works with NPAIHB staff to interpret and communicate accurate, up-to-date health and organization-wide information into materials and resources for Northwest Tribes. Information may include health promotion and prevention education, policy, and/or data
Supports NPAIHB Divisions to achieve communication performance deliverables and objectives set forth in contracts with Tribes and funding partners and in the NPAIHB 2025-2030 Strategic Plan
Manages the Communication Department as the central resource for all NPAIHB's print, digital, and design work (based grant deliverables) including for NPAIHB's Clinical Support Services Division, the Environmental Public Health Division, the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center Division, Legislative and Governmental Affairs (Indian Health policy), and Administration (internal NPAIHB operations)
Ensures NPAIHB achieves communications related performance deliverables and objectives set forth in the NPAIHB 2025-2030 Strategic Plan
Oversees NPAIHB's multi-channel communications, ensuring that all platforms are up-to-date and aligned with the organization's mission, values, and programmatic and policy goals
Serves as NPAIHB's primary points of contact for the press, working closely with the Executive Director and the Communication's Department, to coordinate timely response to media inquiries and requests
Reviews, approves, and at times directly drafts press collateral and internal messaging, including press releases, talking points, and in-office administrative communications, ensuring alignment with the organization's values, mission, and goals
Supports, along with the Communication Department, editing and copywriting across NPAIHB
Monitors and reports on the Communication Department's accomplishments, workload trends, and unmet needs; ensures the Communications Department is service oriented toward all NPAIHB staff
Stays updated on industry trends and incorporate new ideas into creative strategies
Partners with the Director of Operations and Information Technology (IT) on strengthening and monitoring NPAIHB's cybersecurity and data protection standards
Upholds the principles of Tribal Data Sovereignty
Establishes and maintains relationships with Northwest Tribes, federal and state partners, and tribal, national, and state media outlets
Strengthens the field of tribal public health, tribal environmental public health, and Indian Health policy in partnership with Northwest Tribes
Provides organizational leadership, problem-solving, planning, advocacy, teamwork, and critical communications to NPAIHB staff
Creates and maintains a culture of professional excellence, integrity, and rigor
Builds, in partnership with the Management Team, organizational strategies and policies to make efficient use of all human and financial resources, integrate programs services, and uphold the fiduciary responsibility of NPAIHB
Provides updates to the Executive Director and/or Board of Directors and its Committees as requested by the Executive Director or the Director of Programs and Development
Represents the NPAIHB at tribal, state, and national meetings, conferences, events, and workgroups
Assists with special projects assigned by the Executive Director or designee
Supervises four (4) Communications staff
Leads the Communication Department in quality improvement initiatives to strengthen programs and services, maximize performance, and meet the needs and priorities of Member Tribes and Delegates
Promotes collaboration and learning between all NPAIHB Division projects, partners, and funding agencies to meet grant and organizational goals and objectives
Evaluates staff performance and ensures that individual employee development plans result in a Communications Department which is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to accomplish their jobs and meet NPAIHB's strategic goals
Ensures that the Communication Department staff comply with organizational policies and applicable laws, rules, regulations, and standards
Provides direction, consultation, and support to the Communication Department staff regarding issues related to the implementation of programs, policies and procedures, priorities, and/or personnel concerns
Receives, resolves, and reports to Executive Director any concerns or complaints related to the Communications Department services or staff
Works in collaboration Executive Director and Human Resources on staff hiring and staff disciplinary procedures, as needed
Oversees the Communication Department budget
Oversees the Communication Department preparation and submission of all communications related grant, project or activity reports and/or updates
Works in partnership with NPAIHB Divisions to review all communications related grant, project or activity reports and/or updates
Leads Management Team in preparing organization annual reports for internal or external use
Oversees project management of Communication Department requests
Drafts and/or reviews project-related external contracts
Oversees submission of Communication Department articles for publication and external communication
Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or designee