Communications Director

Chaloner has partnered with PEAK Grantmaking on their search for a Communications Director.

PEAK Grantmaking is a nonprofit membership association serving 8,000 philanthropy professionals who specialize in grants management and 550 contributing member organizations. Our members come together to form a vibrant community that advances shared leadership and learning across the philanthropic sector. PEAK creates space for members to learn from each other and bring innovation to their communities. As an organization with members working at the nexus of craft and impact in an evolving philanthropic sector, PEAK is leading the charge in embracing values-based grantmaking.

PEAK’s Communications Director provides strategic leadership, implementation, management, and hands-on execution of the organization’s communications, marketing, publications, and brand experiences. The Director will guide the organization’s outreach and messaging to its members, the profession, and the larger field of philanthropy.

The Communications Director is an accomplished leader who will strategize, develop, and execute an integrated multi-faceted communications program for PEAK that includes multiple online platforms, digital marketing, executive communications, marketing, publications and media relations. The Communications Director will be responsible for positioning and promoting PEAK’s unique value proposition and brand to its members and the field; developing and delivering high-value publications and resources; optimizing the PEAK experience; and building PEAK’s reputation as an investor brand for philanthropy. This role requires someone who thrives in a truly collaborative environment and can approach the communications function from a holistic perspective.

The Communications Director will serve on PEAK’s senior leadership team. This position reports to the Chief Strategy Officer, works closely with the CEO and COO, and supervises the five-member Communications Team.

Duties, Responsibilities, and Authority

Key duties and responsibilities include:

Communications and Media

Direct integrated multi-channel programs, including digital platforms, email, social networks and website content, direct mail, and media relations

Amplify PEAK’s brand both internally and externally, and ensure that organizational messaging consistently strengthens PEAK’s reputation as an investor brand for philanthropy

Increase PEAK’s visibility through regular placements in high-value media outlets

Strategically collaborate with other nonprofits and fellow philanthropy-supporting organizations to emphasize PEAK’s thought leadership, unique perspective, and vibrant community

Provide strategic communications counsel and tactical support to

the Membership & Community Engagement team to showcase PEAK’s value proposition to current and prospective members and develop a robust membership pipeline

the Knowledge & Learning team to promote high-value knowledge resources and convenings

the Partnerships team in building and supporting relationships with partner organizations and in the development of campaigns and initiatives

the Operations team to create and implement plans that foster open internal communications practices and culture

the cross-functional team that plans and executes PEAK’s annual convening

staff who are engaged in development-centered planning and engagement

Provide counsel and support for executives, board, and staff on all communications matters

Develop and pursue byline opportunities

Maintain a pulse on emerging trends in strategic communications and new media, and adapt PEAK’s communications strategies and practices accordingly

Manage and execute website improvements that enhance the community experience

Oversee communications aspects of all organizational initiatives

Publications and Marketing

Serve as brand champion to ensure a consistent and compelling brand experience

Lead content publishing programs to deliver practical insights and thought leadership

Lead the content development and publication of weekly and monthly articles (PEAK’s Insights program) curated and contributed by members of the PEAK community, sector partners, and staff

Lead the content development and publication of PEAK newsletters

Identify and ensure ongoing roadmap of optimizations to PEAK’s online user experience across platforms

Design and implement engaging content strategy for the PEAK website

Institute next-level SEO practices to make content discoverable to our target audiences

Lead strategies for LinkedIn engagement

Strategize, steward, and creative-direct multimedia initiatives

Oversee marketing aspects of all organizational programs and initiatives

Management and Leadership

Develop, steward, and evaluate an annual communications plan and budget to support the Communications team and the entire organization

Collaborate with the senior leadership team, board, and cross-departmental staff to ensure cohesion across all team efforts and communications strategies

Lead PEAK’s internal communications program in collaboration with the Operations and senior leadership teams

Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders and funders to help PEAK Grantmaking reach its strategic and financial goals

Exercise fiscal responsibility to develop departmental and program budgets and control expenditures

Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies including interviewing, hiring, training, and coaching employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; and addressing complaints and resolving problems within the communications team

Promote, identify, and implement professional development opportunities for the Communications team

Promote a people-first culture that fosters passion for PEAK’s mission, cooperation, open and frequent communication, teamwork, and a common organizational vision

Incorporate equity and inclusion into work assignments and department efforts, while continually building personal knowledge and experience in these areas

Work to actively identify and address organizational issues and opportunities for growth for staff, teams, and PEAK as a whole

Requirements and Qualifications

7+ years of experience and demonstrated success in directing, developing, implementing, and sustaining a high-performing communications program for a mission-driven organization. Philanthropy and nonprofit experience is a plus.

5+ years of team leadership and supervisory experience of staff and vendor-partners

A deeply collaborative leader with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications as a strategic practice

Demonstrated brand leadership with experience in strategy, development, and management

Proven experience with developing and implementing effective audience segmentation campaigns

Strong cross-channel writing and editing skills, with a keen understanding of brand voice

Proven publications experience in thematic visioning, content plan development, editorial and creative direction, and working collaboratively with an extensive production team of staff, members, partners, and vendors

Adept at harnessing business and channel analytics to inform data-driven decision-making

Results-driven marketer with track record of deploying cross-channel campaigns to drive awareness, engagement, and conversion

Adept at media relations, with record of successful editorial placements

Ability to handle multiple tasks, projects, and priorities effectively and professionally in a fast-paced environment

Ability to work in a remote office and to lead a virtual and geographically diverse team

Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, project management, and budgeting

Discretion and sound judgment on setting and adjusting priorities

Flexible, resourceful, innovative, and self-motivated

Experience and proficiency in using collaborative project management, communications, and content management systems, such as Asana, WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite, Mailchimp, etc.

Ability to travel is required. Travel for this position could include attending the annual convening, staff retreats, board meetings, and member events

Compensation

A comprehensive salary and benefits package will be offered. The starting salary range for this position is $115,000–$140,000, commensurate with experience.

Location and Work Environment

This position is fully remote. PEAK staff work at home, on the road, or in a satellite location for all or part of the regular workweek. You will use software and video conferencing to collaborate and stay connected with staff and PEAK members.

PEAK is committed to helping staff members face the demands of juggling work, family, and personal obligations by offering a four-day, 32-hour workweek from April through August. This schedule provides staff with increased flexibility, allowing PEAK to maintain a progressive and productive work environment. It is a universal employee benefit. As a lean organization, it is important to create a culture at work that supports staff being at their best for each other and our community. This shorter schedule aligns with PEAK’s values by aiming to enhance work-life balance, creating better work practices, and supporting a human-centered work culture while ensuring that business operations continue efficiently.

Equal opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles of PEAK Grantmaking, where employment and promotion opportunities are based on individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category as established under law.

PEAK is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Therefore, PEAK will take any required steps to ensure that candidates with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to fully participate in the job application and interview process. Please submit your requests through the application form. Note that all applicants invited to interview will be provided with a list of potential questions in advance of meeting with PEAK team members.

Similarly, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable staff members with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment at PEAK.