Communications Officer

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Communications Officer Search

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, based in Menlo Park, CA, has partnered with the search firm Chaloner on the search for a Communications Officer.

About the Foundation

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation invests in creative thinkers and problem solvers working to ensure that people, communities, and the planet can flourish. Together with our partners, we are harnessing society’s collective capacity to solve our toughest problems — from the existential threat of climate change to persistent and pervasive inequities, to attacks on democracy itself. A nonpartisan philanthropy, the Hewlett Foundation has made grants in the U.S. and globally for nearly six decades based on an approach that emphasizes long-term support, collaboration, and trust.

Globally, we make grants to address both longstanding and emerging challenges, such as efforts to reduce the growing threat of climate change, advance gender equity and governance, and reimagine the economy and society. Our U.S. efforts prioritize strengthening democracy, advancing education for all, and supporting community-led conservation. In the San Francisco Bay Area, we make grants to support meaningful artistic experiences in local communities and support regional foundations working on critical issues such as housing.

All of our grantmaking also invests in advancing racial justice and in strengthening the effectiveness of our grantees and philanthropy itself. The Hewlett Foundation’s assets are approximately $12.8 billion, with annual grants totaling almost $600 million. More information about the Hewlett Foundation is available at: www.hewlett.org

The foundation has approximately 130 employees in programmatic, operational, and investment roles and is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Across the organization, our employees are challenged with meaningful work, have the resources for ongoing professional development and learning, and contribute to a collegial and engaging environment where they can thrive. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion as part of our guiding principles and encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

About the Communications Department

Our ten-person communications team ensures that the foundation and our grantees use effective communications strategies to realize the foundation’s charitable goals and to advance the fields in which we work.

In our institutional communications, we aim to successfully position the Hewlett Foundation as collaborative, knowledgeable, forward-thinking, impactful, and a facilitator of dialogue across differences. This builds trust with internal and external audiences and enhances our credibility and influence on the issues we care about.

In communications grantmaking, we partner with and advise program staff to help them make grants that leverage the full power of strategic communications, narrative and culture, and healthy media ecosystems to advance program goals. This includes supporting strategic planning, implementation, and measurement of communications approaches.

Among the team’s operating values are openness, authenticity, and empathy, as hallmarks of trustworthy communication; partnership and collaboration, critical for working with peer funders, nonprofit grantee partners, and internal colleagues; a culture of learning, including building and sharing our knowledge; and a commitment to equity and the inclusion of diverse perspectives, both in our team and in our external communications.

About the Role

The new Communications Officer will work collaboratively with the Communications team, internal partners, and external partners, including grantees, co-funders, and consultants, to develop and achieve communications objectives that contribute to the foundation’s mission.

This Communications Officer will serve as the primary communications partner for the foundation’s Education Program as well as one to two other grantmaking programs that focus on largely U.S.-based nonprofits. In this role, the Communications Officer will develop and execute strategic communications plans for programs aligned with the institutional brand, helping amplify the voices of our staff and grantees by coordinating media relations, coaching on social media, and managing external contractors.

The ideal candidate is a skilled, mission-driven problem solver comfortable developing strategy and executing tactics, with a strong client orientation and ability to manage projects and external partners. They should have knowledge of narratives, voices, and issues in philanthropy, K-12 education, and other domestic grantmaking areas (e.g., economy, democracy, arts) and a deep belief in the power of communication to do good in the world. This position reports to the Chief Communications Officer.

Responsibilities

Institutional Communications

• Develop and implement strategic communications plans for internal clients and initiatives based on grantmaking objectives, institutional brand and narrative, and diverse stakeholder needs.
• Collaborate with communications colleagues and other internal partners to develop and disseminate consistent messaging about foundation-wide initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain media relationships related to Education Program work and stay up to date on relevant media narratives.
• Make recommendations and provide tactical assistance to build and leverage the voice of program staff through online and offline channels.
• Coordinate digital content, including newsletters, institutional social media, blogs, and website content.
• Anticipate, mitigate, and respond to criticism or crisis situations in partnership with program, legal, and other communications staff.
• Work with external partners, such as co-funders and grantees, to support field-wide strategic goals.
• Help develop and execute events and convenings, including media roundtables and grantee communications webinars.
• Retain and manage freelancers and external consultants when relevant.
• Contribute to institutional communications projects, including policy updates, development of tools and resources, and trainings.
• Support ongoing learning and development of the communications team and wider foundation about best practices in strategic communications, narrative and culture, and media ecosystems.

Program Advisory Counsel

• Participate in strategy development and assessment processes, including identifying key target audiences and assessing communications challenges.
• Support program staff in understanding and addressing communications-related capacity constraints within fields of focus or specific grantees.
• Advise program officers on communications-related grant proposals and opportunities.
• Assist in identifying and managing external communications support for grantee cohorts and field-supporting opportunities, including RFP development and vendor management.

Knowledge & Requirements

• B.A. degree in communications, journalism, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, including managing strategic communications and working with multiple programs or organizations concurrently.
• Experience cultivating relationships with media, coalition partners, and stakeholders in education and/or philanthropy.
• Superb written and oral communications skills; knowledge of AP Style preferred.
• Intellectual curiosity and ability to stay attuned to narratives, trends, and developments in communications, philanthropy, and issue areas.
• Experience managing external consultants, such as PR agencies and freelance writers.
• Strong knowledge of media research tools and digital platforms for publishing, listening, engaging, and analyzing (e.g., LinkedIn, CRMs, Salesforce, MuckRack).
• High emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and the ability to work across diverse internal and external constituents.
• Strong project management skills, organizational abilities, and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to think creatively and constructively to solve problems and work collaboratively.
• Strong judgment and ability to handle sensitive issues appropriately.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The position is based in Menlo Park, California. Staff are working in a hybrid environment and are currently expected to work from the Hewlett Foundation office at least two to three times per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays are required). While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to spend extended periods at a computer.

Compensation and Benefits

The Hewlett Foundation offers a competitive total compensation package, including a generous salary and benefits. The salary range for this role starts at $165,000–$205,000. Offers are based on experience and salary equity within the foundation.

To Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the Chaloner application form. Chaloner will review all applicants and, upon qualification, contact candidates to determine next steps.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation embraces the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring process, organizational culture, grantmaking, and related practices. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.