Senior Communications Officer - Policy

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation•RWJF Washington, DC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is a national philanthropy focused on transforming health and health equity. They aim to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. RWJF works through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building to achieve health equity. The foundation has three Generational Goals: Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing, Equitable and Accountable Public Health and Healthcare Systems, and Healthy and Equitable Community Conditions. RWJF emphasizes equity, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration in its work and organizational culture. The Senior Communications Officer, Policy, reports to the director, Foundation Voice, and is responsible for providing strategic communications counsel to advance RWJF's policy priorities. This role translates complex policy, legislative, and advocacy information into integrated communications strategies. The position is part of the Voice Strategy team within the Communications department, which is structured around three integrated teams: Voice Strategy, Communications Studio, and Operations. The role requires a commitment to equity and the Foundation's mission and Guiding Principles. RWJF is currently undergoing a transformation, redefining its long-term outcomes and reexamining its operating model.

Requirements

Commitment to racial and health equity and to the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
Experience leading or advising communications strategy for complex initiatives, programs, or issue areas.
Experience translating complex subject matter into clear messaging, narrative direction, and communications approaches for internal and external audiences.
Experience working across multiple constituent groups with different priorities and levels of communications fluency and building alignment.
Experience shaping communications priorities by weighing strategic importance, complexity, timing, and organizational impact.
Experience developing briefs, strategic direction, or decision points for cross-functional communications partners responsible for execution.
Experience supporting initiatives that required sound judgment in sensitive, high-visibility, or changing contexts.
Experience using research, audience insight, feedback, or performance learning to develop and strengthen communications strategic recommendations.
Experience developing and managing budgets.
Experience hiring and managing vendors, consultants, and project timelines.
Minimum of ten years of experience with at least five years of experience specifically related to strategic communications in a policy-related environment.
Master’s degree in a relevant field of study, or equivalent relevant experience.
Professional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Ability to travel to Princeton, N.J. or Washington, D.C. office for relevant internal meetings and other in-person events as requested.
Ability to travel, as needed, for grantee meetings, conferences, site visits, and community events, up to 30%.

Nice To Haves

10 years of relevant experience operating effectively in complex, mission-driven, policy-adjacent, philanthropic, public health, or similarly matrixed environments.
15 years of relevant experience operating effectively in complex, mission-driven, policy-adjacent, philanthropic, public health, or similarly matrixed environments.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and manage communications for and about the Foundation’s initiatives that address the root causes of structural racism.
Initiate, interpret, and synthesize communications research to develop messaging that engages and activates diverse audiences.
Lead and manage teams of communications professionals, including external firms and contractors, to develop communications plans.
Translate program strategies, research, field intelligence, and emerging opportunities into clear communications strategic plans with defined narratives and measurable objectives.
Shape and prioritize communications priorities by assessing strategic importance, complexity, timing, and intended impact.
Embed health equity and Truth, Repair, and Transformation principles into communications counsel, message framing, constituent engagement, and prioritization.
Serve as communications counselor to vice presidents, associate vice presidents, and other internal constituents.
Develop strategic direction, briefs, and decision points for the Communications Studio and other communications partners.
Refine communications recommendations based on audience insight, feedback, and learning from prior work.
Manage assigned budgets and associated contracts and vendor relationships.
Distinguish high-value communications opportunities from lower-value activity and prioritize based on mission, audience, timing, complexity, and organizational impact.
Convert complex program, policy, research, and field inputs into clear communications strategy and audience-relevant direction.
Advise internal collaborators on objectives, positioning, sequencing, and amplification aligned with the One Voice strategy.
Fit discrete program needs into RWJF’s broader communications framework to advance One Voice priorities.
Bring together communications partners around a shared direction and clear brief.
Identify timely opportunities and emerging sensitivities and adjust recommendations accordingly.
Use insight, feedback, and changing context to refine strategy and improve future recommendations.
Perform other duties as assigned.