Walker & Associates Consulting ยท 3 weeks ago
The California Wellness Foundation: Senior Communications Officer APPLY BY: January 23, 2026
Oakland, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$140K/yr - $210K/yr
10+ years expThe California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness) is seeking a Senior Communications Officer to enhance the Foundation's visibility and influence. This role involves developing strategic communications, crafting narratives, and collaborating across various departments to support the Foundation's mission of advancing health and wellness in California.
ConsultingManagement ConsultingMarketing
Responsibilities
Serves as strategic communications lead for existing and developing key program areas and portfolios, providing advice on audience targets, communication strategies, and communications grantmaking
Able to synthesize complex issues and identify compelling central ideas to shape messages, stories, and narratives to advance health and racial justice
Exceptional writer playing a lead role in crafting external communications including blog posts, talking points, op-eds, speeches, and presentations
Working closely with the Director of Communications, plays a lead role in developing effective campaigns and other sustained communications strategies with target audiences, clear goals, and measurable outcomes
Applies extensive knowledge of California media landscape to Identify ideas and stories for paid media and earned media outreach including news coverage and op-eds
Cultivates strong and trusting relationships with colleagues to develop a deep understanding of foundation priorities and strategies
Work with grantmakers and other colleagues to strengthen their communications capacity, advise on narrative strategy, and ability to serve as key Cal Wellness spokespeople by providing prep and support for interviews, speaking engagements, and developing tools to build capacity
Work closely with the Communications Coordinator to provide ongoing project management and timely execution of all deliverables
Qualification
Required
Significant experience, ideally 10 or more years, leading the development and implementation of social justice communications and campaign strategies across relevant fields which may include but not be limited to philanthropy, nonprofits, journalism, and/or the private sector
Excellent analytic abilities and critical thinking skills, especially the ability to synthesize complex issues in clear and compelling ways
Superior writing and editing skills
Working knowledge of top social media platforms, metrics, and effective content strategies
Working knowledge of video production, including storyboarding and scriptwriting
Media relations experience and savvy; existing relationships with California journalists are a plus
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a diverse population: collegial, energetic, and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, grantee partners, and consultants
Highly organized, creative, and flexible, with strong project-, people-, and time-management skills; demonstrated ability to think independently and juggle multiple priorities
Demonstrated efficiency, effectiveness, accuracy, careful attention to detail, and quick turnaround
Ability to proactively solve problems and identify and implement effective solutions, even when there is a lack of clear process or standards
Interest and ability to quickly learn the operations of the Programs and Public Affairs Team at a philanthropic organization
Benefits
A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans
A generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a 16% employer contribution
Flexible paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
Professional development opportunities
3:1 matching gifts
The opportunity to work at a mission- and values-driven organization
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
Company data provided by crunchbase