Director of Strategic Communications

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Director of Strategic Communications

Salary - $92,000 - $97,000

Location: 

Santa Rosa or Fairfield (flexible to other CHD locations)

For over 50 years, California Human Development (CHD) has been waging the “War on Poverty.” Our mission is to create paths and opportunities for people to rise above barriers in their pursuit of better lives. We open doors, build strong communities, and improve lives. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, California Human Development is a private, not-for-profit community-based corporation. Inspired in service to our state's farmworkers, today CHD serves people of low income from many walks of life—giving 25,000 people a year in 30 Northern California counties a hand up to the “American Dream.” CHD is governed by a tripartite, all-volunteer Board of Directors who provide policy and governance oversight to help the Organization advance CHD's vision, mission, strategic plan, annual goals, and objectives. We provide services in three different Divisions: Farmworker Services, Affordable Housing, and Community Services.

Job Description 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Strategic Communication’s duties and responsibilities include:

Strategic Communication and Messaging

• Shapes and guides the organization’s narrative in partnership with the CEO, ensuring consistency, authenticity, and impact across audiences.
• Manages media relations, digital communications, and community engagement strategies to elevate the organization’s visibility and deepen its connection to the farmworker and other communities that CHD serves.
• Leads the creation and execution of integrated strategic communication plans aligned with CHD goals and initiatives.
• Serves as CHD’s spokesperson and primary liaison to media outlets, ensuring timely, accurate, and compelling communication.
• Designs and implements strategies and channels to keep staff and board members informed to strengthen a shared sense of impact.

External Communications

• Oversees all digital communication platforms, including the organization’s website, social media channels, newsletters, and multimedia campaigns.
• Develops content that integrates community stories, data, and impact to enhance advocacy, fundraising, and engagement.
• Attends CHD events to capture multimedia assets for internal and external communications, as appropriate.
• Develops and manages marketing materials, collateral, and media per internal policies and procedures to support organizational initiatives, events, and partnerships.
• Tracks communication performance metrics and media engagement to evaluate strategy effectiveness.
• Integrates storytelling with data and impact tracking to demonstrate outcomes and inform strategic adjustments.

 Skills & Abilities

• Bilingual in English/Spanish (written, verbal, and spoken) required, bicultural highly desirable.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and management tools.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Translate vision into actionable communication plans.
• Collaborate effectively with all CHD divisions and departments.
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint.
• Perform required transactions with a high degree of accuracy.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients and staff both on and off duty as defined by agency ethical codes.
• Use effective judgment in crisis situations.
• Solve problems and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Build and maintain working relationships with employees, clients, and partners.
• Recognize and manage personal bias.

Education & Experience         

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.
• At least three years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, community engagement, or similar work

Certificates, Licenses, & Registrations

• Must possess a valid California drivers’ license, proof of auto insurance and be insurable under agency policy if driving a company or personal vehicle for required work travel. If using a personal vehicle, must provide proof of insurance and provide a copy of a valid driver’s license to be insurable under the agency’s insurance policy. 
• Must possess a smart phone with the capability to install security authentication applications to securely access the CHD network.