Walker & Associates Consulting · 3 months ago
The SCAN Foundation: Senior Director of Communications APPLY BY: November 21, 2025
Oakland, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$148K/yr - $214K/yr
8+ years expThe SCAN Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on improving aging for all individuals. They are seeking a Senior Director of Communications to lead their communication strategies, enhance visibility, and support their mission of fostering equity and inclusion for older adults, particularly those from marginalized communities.
ConsultingManagement ConsultingMarketing
Responsibilities
Develop and implement TSF’s communications strategies, plans, and tactics including a unified communications strategy for the diverse capabilities at TSF across grantmaking, impact investing, policy, and lived experience
Bring curiosity, proactive energy, and strategic thinking to generate and implement ideas for communications opportunities in collaboration with colleagues across the organization
Develop clear narratives that connect data, lived experience, and impact to the Foundation’s mission
Oversee the creation and implementation of an integrated communications platform leveraging the support of the Manager and/or consultants to keep the content on TSF’s newly relaunched website fresh; manage social media channels; leverage public events and webinars; enhance digital content including video and photo projects; and ensure consistent e-mail outreach
Proactively strengthen TSF’s media relations with journalists, editors, and other media professionals to inform and influence earned media coverage aligned with TSF’s and its partner’s mission and priorities
Provide strategic and editorial guidance for TSF-funded policy analyses, reports, and advocacy efforts
Support executive communications and external and internal communications
Monitor communications analytics and adapt strategies and tactics as needed
Position TSF as a leader in advancing strategic priorities, including ensuring access to long term services and supports for all older adults, especially those in underrepresented communities
Build TSF’s national visibility by positioning its thought leadership and policy insights with key audiences in policy, philanthropy, and aging sectors
Support the President and CEO in developing and executing a robust thought leadership plan that aligns with TSF’s goals and mission positioning the CEO as an authority in aging, equity, and health policy while enhancing TSF’s visibility among target audiences
Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the CEO, proactively identifying and prioritizing opportunities to elevate the Foundation’s and CEO’s voice through speaking, writing, media engagements, and more
Working with the Policy and Programs team to ensure the work of grantee partners and the voices of older adults with lived experience are showcased across all public facing communication activities
Stay abreast of policy developments and media coverage related to TSF priority areas
Identify and create opportunities for staff across the organization to elevate priority issues with key audiences (e.g., policymakers, the media, health care and aging practitioners, community-based organizations, advocates, investors, and other funders)
Maintain key media contacts to facilitate regular earned media for TSF
Make recommendations about which opportunities (e.g., media, public comments, testimony) are worth pursuing
Maintain an editorial calendar to ensure a regular pipeline of coordinated content and activities to elevate priority issues
Facilitate storytelling, public engagement, and partnerships to shape national and California narratives around inclusive aging and equity
Facilitate coordination and collaboration across TSF’s functional departments including partnering with the Policy and Programs and Impact Investing teams to communicate how TSF’s grantmaking, investments, and partnerships collectively advance systems change and equitable policies in aging
Work in partnership with the Senior Director of Strategy to ensure programs, investments, and speaking engagements advance organizational goals
Work closely with the Policy and Program and Impact Investing teams to develop data-driven reports, policy briefs, public comments, and legislative testimony, translating complex findings into understandable messages and language for lay audiences
Identify opportunities with Program staff to elevate the work of grantees and partners through storytelling, media outreach, social media, and photo and video projects
Work with grantees to maximize opportunities to deploy communications as a tool to elevate their programs and outcomes
Develop and oversee the promotion of impact investment activities, including market research, opinion pieces, investment announcements, and other external efforts
Oversee the management of content calendars and processes to ensure coordination across teams and clarity of roles and responsibilities
Actively contribute to organizational strategy, operations, and culture as a member of the Executive Team
Supervise a dynamic team of communications professionals, both staff and consultants
Lead, coach, motivate, and retain staff members and evaluate their performance
Ensure effective collaboration and appropriate opportunities for professional growth and autonomy
Develop metrics and KPIs to assess impact and find areas for growth
Drive and build the department’s annual budget and work plan
Actively support the achievement of TSF’s Vision and Goals
Foster a culture of curiosity, inclusion, and belonging across teams by ensuring communications reflect TSF’s internal values and external voice
Qualification
Required
At least 8-10 years of communications experience, including at least 2-3 years in a leadership position, preferably in the philanthropic or nonprofit sector with some exposure to health, aging, and/or policy and passion for our mission
Demonstrated ability to influence change and inform and motivate constituencies across channels including campaigns, social media, and paid media while staying abreast of evolving communications trends and methodologies
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate a point of view, operate effectively in a cross-functional team environment, be a thought partner to colleagues respecting and building upon ideas in a way that brings others along, help facilitate alignment, and engage with diverse internal and external stakeholders with ease
A nimble, creative leader who can balance strategic vision with hands-on implementation, and who thrives in an entrepreneurial, evolving philanthropic environment
Demonstrated ability to align internal teams around a clear narrative and to translate strategy into stories that move policy, influence partners, and build trust
Demonstrated experience telling stories of impact by translating complex research and/or policy findings into plain, compelling language and reports tailored to key constituencies that empower and lift up the voices of communities that we center such as older adults, people of color, those with lower incomes, and/or rural residents
Demonstrated ability to understand complex business models and sets of stakeholders; anticipate future trends and implications; establish strategy; develop work plans; and resolve problems to achieve results
Ability to effectively and strategically prioritize and manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a dynamic environment with excellent organizational and management skills including delegating and completing quality work on time and within budgetary guidelines
Superior writing and editing skills, attention to detail, editorial judgment, and presentation skills
Strong manager with the ability to motivate and develop diverse teams including multiple consultants
Demonstrated technological skills with extensive experience with social media applications and analytics (including Google Analytics), internet research, the Microsoft Suite, and web development and management tools
Preferred
Advanced degree in a related subject such as communications, marketing, journalism, health, and/or policy preferred or experience in excess of the minimum required
Benefits
An annual employee bonus program
Robust Wellness Program
Generous paid-time-off (PTO) along with 11 paid holidays per year, 1 floating holiday, birthday off, and 2 volunteer days
Excellent 401(k) Retirement Saving Plan with employer match
Robust employee recognition program
Tuition Reimbursement
Company
Walker & Associates Consulting
Walker & Associates Consulting is a Black- and woman-owned strategic management consulting and executive search firm promoting equitable community impact.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Jeannine N. Walker
President and CEO
Constance J. Walker
Founder and Strategic Advisor
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