Director, Communications

About the Role

NetHope is seeking a strategic, creative, and collaborative communications leader to serve as Director of Communications. Reporting to the Chief Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer (CPPO), this role drives brand visibility, audience engagement, and organizational communications strategy. The Director combines strategic planning with hands-on execution, supervising and mentoring the Communications Manager, managing a portfolio of creative consultants, and actively creating assets that reflect NetHope's mission and values.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional communicator and connector, comfortable balancing big-picture strategy with detailed execution, leading with both head and heart, and inspiring collaboration across teams. This role directly supports NetHope's goals to expand visibility, achieve revenue objectives, and deliver critical programs to its community of nonprofits and the populations they serve.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Brand Leadership (70%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-channel communications and audience acquisition strategy aligned with organizational priorities, revenue goals, and brand visibility objectives.
• Serve as lead writer and editor for messaging frameworks, presentations, impact stories, digital content, email campaigns, press materials, donor communications, and promotional assets.
• Lead NetHope's brand and messaging strategy in collaboration with CPPO, including narrative frameworks, brand voice, visual identity, and identifying new opportunities for audience growth.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, increasing audience participation, donor engagement, and program uptake.
• Manage NetHope's website strategy, including content creation, updates, UX improvements, SEO, analytics, and coordination with Communications Manager and consultants to drive engagement, conversion, and sustained growth.
• Develop and maintain a strategic communications and marketing plan, editorial calendar, and asset management system to streamline workflows, support high-quality content, and optimize efficiency.
• Oversee digital marketing, analytics, and optimization across channels including email, social media, paid media, audience segmentation, user journeys, testing, and performance analysis.
• Lead communications and marketing for the NetHope Global Summit, including narrative strategy, digital marketing, registration communications, attendee and speaker engagement, sponsorship activation, live event content, and media interactions.
• Oversee visual asset production, including social graphics, infographics, reports, and event materials, in collaboration with team members and design consultants.
• Oversee communications for webinars, including planning, promotion, content preparation, and registration strategies.
• Provide rapid-response communications for emergencies, donation appeals, organizational updates, media inquiries, and partner communications.

Team Management, Operations & Cross-Department Collaboration (20%)

• Develop, manage, and secure approval for departmental budgets and workplans.
• Manage and mentor the Communications Manager, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, accountable team culture.
• Recruit, hire, retain, and evaluate staff and contractors to meet communications objectives.
• Champion collaboration across departments, ensuring alignment, engagement, and high-quality output.
• Oversee systems, procedures, and workflows to maximize departmental efficiency.
• Develop and present presentations, collateral, and agendas for internal and external stakeholders; draft communications on behalf of CPPO and other leaders.
• Manage cross-departmental projects, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and effective teamwork.

Communications Leadership (10%)

• Partner with CPPO to set annual communications strategy, goals, and team performance metrics.
• Lead and participate in cross-departmental meetings, working groups, and innovation initiatives.
• Ensure communications are consistent with NetHope's philosophy and internal policies.
• Represent NetHope externally at workshops, conferences, and events as requested.
• Collaborate with CPPO to allocate internal resources effectively.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Personal Characteristics:

• Passion for NetHope's mission and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, global environment.
• Culturally sensitive, values diversity, and demonstrates integrity and sound judgment.
• Collaborative, flexible, and solutions-oriented; proactive problem-solver.
• Strong attention to detail while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Effective communicator who listens, shares information proactively, and builds strong relationships.
• Strong project management instincts and adaptability under pressure.
• Curious, thoughtful, and eager to learn within a mission-driven, matrixed team.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Experienced in content creation, multi-channel campaigns, and audience growth strategies.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Skilled in strategic planning, brand-building, and data-driven audience acquisition.
• Experienced team leader capable of fostering high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Comfortable working independently across functions with limited resources.
• Knowledge of nonprofit communications and international humanitarian/development sectors a plus.
• Technologically adept with experience leveraging tools for innovative communications practices.

Education & Experience:

• 9–12 years of progressively responsible communications leadership experience.
• Proven success achieving ambitious communications goals in complex nonprofit organizations.
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• NGO/NetHope Member experience a plus.
• Familiarity with Salesforce, Instil, Asana, Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
• Proven ability to synthesize program information and prepare funder-facing materials.

Working Conditions

• 100% remote; flexible schedules to accommodate global teams; reliable internet required.
• Global meetings may occur across time zones; Eastern Time Zone hours preferred.
• Occasional international/domestic travel (2–3 events/year; up to 15% external events).
• Salaries benchmarked locally with benefits per country policies.
• NetHope values open communication and a collaborative, team-oriented culture.