Senior Communications Officer
Princeton, NJ
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Date Posted: 3/20/2025
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.
We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and collaboration enable our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues and support a culture of belonging. Part of this work includes actively shaping an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
Reporting to the director, Program Communications, the senior communications officer is responsible for working to further the Foundation’s vision and objectives using strategic communications. Core responsibilities include (1) working collaboratively with others to develop, implement, and manage communications for, and about, the Foundation’s initiatives to transform health in our lifetime and pave the way, together, to a future where health is for everyone; (2) initiating, interpreting, and synthesizing communications research to help the Foundation develop messaging that engages and activates audiences across political, ideological, and cultural perspectives; and (3) leading and managing teams of communications professionals, including external firms and contractors, to develop communications plans and budgets to help amplify the voice of the Foundation and our grantees and partners to achieve desired objectives.
As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the senior communications officer is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and to the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Communications Program Development and Monitoring
Develops, manages, and implements communications plans with measurable objectives, strategies, and tactics for the Foundation.
Works in partnership with RWJF Communications, Program, Research-Evaluation-Learning unit, and Policy colleagues in executing theme, department, unit-specific, and Foundation-wide strategic communications objectives.
Manages the work of firms and consultants under contract with the Foundation to advance strategic initiatives.
Coordinates and collaborates with colleagues throughout the Communications department to develop and implement communications strategies.
Uses all available media platforms and media relations to reach target audiences with strategic content and messaging to further the impact of the Foundation.
Demonstrates an understanding of the changing landscape and science of communications, advocacy, policy, and media, and demonstrates a willingness and ability to experiment with new ways to reach, engage, and activate new audiences.
Leverages networks to advance the work of the Foundation.
Has and/or develops strong content knowledge and understanding of how assigned area of work contributes to the Foundation’s health equity goals.
Coordinates with other communications colleagues to spark creativity, break down silos, and leverage the full power of the Foundation’s Communications department to achieve impact.
Provides strategic communications counsel to portfolio directors, other colleagues, and grantees, and at times, partners.
Develops and manages individual or a portfolio of grants and contracts that advance the Foundation’s program, communications, research, and policy initiatives.
Learning, Dissemination, Audience Identification, and Development
Commits to measuring impact and sharing lessons learned—including failure—within the Foundation and with grantees, partners, and other communications practitioners through dissemination strategies and by presenting at conferences and other forums.
Collaborates with portfolio directors, senior leadership, Research-Evaluation-Learning unit, Policy, and Communications colleagues to disseminate Foundation research products on RWJF.org and external platforms.
Uses innovative communications research techniques to understand, reach, and motivate target audiences to influence and act on Foundation priorities.
Develops strategic communications plans that include defined objectives, target audiences, and measurable outcomes.
Grantmaking and Contracting Processes
Recruits and manages communications consultants and firms to help amplify the work of the Foundation, its partners, and its grantees.
Commits to diversity and inclusion in contracting and collaborating with outside firms and consultants.
Screens and assesses prospective communications and program proposals and works with communications firms, grantees, and partners to refine plans and project budgets.
Assesses proposed communications strategies and tactics in major grant proposals including appropriateness and strength of the proposed activity, value for dollars requested, and the organization's communications capacity.
Foundation and Field Contributions
Represents RWJF at events, conferences, and other public forums as needed and serves as an ambassador for the Foundation.
Provides communications support and coaching to members of senior management in preparation for internal presentations and public appearances; oversees or coordinates the preparation of support materials for meetings, conferences, media, and other public opportunities.
Dedicates time to professional development and life-long learning. Participates in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to stay informed about innovation, ideas, and practices in communications.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Commitment to racial and health equity and to the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
Outstanding written and oral communication skills, as well as an ability to synthesize and present complicated material in a clear and compelling manner.
At least ten (10) years of demonstrated experience in communications, preferably with an organization with various departments and a multidisciplinary staff.
Successful experience fostering an inclusive environment working as part of a multidisciplinary team and working effectively with persons from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
Experience managing contracts and working successfully with communications firms, consultants, and external partners to develop strategy and execute tactics.
Experience handling multiple priorities; good time management skills.
Experience assessing intended audiences, strategic objectives, and desired outcomes; developing and executing a strategy to drive toward those outcomes; and evaluating and measuring the success of communications efforts.
Ability to think critically and strategically.
Highly developed interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to work in a complex team matrix environment; must be collegial and engender trust among colleagues.
Demonstrated maturity, good judgment, and analytic skills; ability to make decisions, justify recommendations, and be responsive and clear.
Strong project and people management skills, including a demonstrated ability to think independently—with limited supervision—be flexible, juggle multiple priorities, and work jointly with others.
Strong creative thinker who is willing to take risks and develop novel and innovative approaches to challenges.
Ability to use and learn about emerging communications trends.
Energetic and passionate with the ability to inspire others to work toward achieving goals.
Completion of an advanced degree in relevant fields of study. A combination of education and experience may be substituted for the education requirement.
Ability to travel, including for site visits and representing the Foundation at outside meetings.
Demonstrated enthusiasm for, and strong commitment to, the Foundation’s mission.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS
The senior communications officer will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. Will be required to attend meetings, both in person and off-site via phone or videoconference. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
POSITION’S ASSIGNED OFFICE LOCATION
This position is assigned to our Princeton, N.J. office.
HYBRID: FLEXIBLE PURPOSE (HFP) EXPLAINED
As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a model we call Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP). RWJF’s new operating model is the infrastructure (e.g., policies, practices, protocols, procedures, systems) that forms the basis for how the day-to-day operations are managed, culture is built and nurtured, and mission is delivered. This model is designed to meet the needs of the organization while giving employees as much flexibility as possible. On-site participation is determined by job responsibilities, organizational and team-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses as needed to meet those expectations. Click here to learn more about our operating model and in-office requirements.
SALARY
The starting salary for this position is $158,300. Candidates who the Foundation determines have directly related experience exceeding the minimum requirements may receive a higher starting salary based on the level of qualifications. All salary offers are non-negotiable.
BENEFITS
RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.
TRANSITION STIPEND
A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job.
DISCRETIONARY YEAR-END BONUS
Employees may also be eligible for a discretionary year-end bonus based on a variety of factors, in the Foundation’s sole discretion.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest by the stated deadline.
Internal RWJF applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest through the Internal Jobs Hub app in Workday.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Monday, April 14, 2025 at 10 a.m. ET.
