Communications Officer

.The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation with offices in Los Altos and San Francisco. The Foundation works with its many partners to advance sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people. In 2018, the Foundation awarded more than $100 million. Since its first grant in 2007, the Foundation has awarded more than $500 million. Position Summary The Communications Officer works with the Communications team to advance Foundation and programmatic goals using strategic communications, as well participating in select strategic communications work for the Heising-Simons Action Fund, a sister 501(c)(4) organization to the Foundation. The Communications team is currently composed of a Director of Communications and two Communications Officers. The Communications Officer's work relates to: institutional communications on behalf of the Foundation as an organization; programmatic communications in which communications is used, in partnership with program colleagues, as a strategic tool to advance programmatic goals; and grantee-focused communications, in which the Communications team works with grantee partners to improve their own communications and communications capacity. The Communications Officer is also responsible for drafting and editing content and messaging, understanding and working with 501(c)(4) organizations and communications, helping manage consultants, and serving as an active thought partner to the rest of the Communications team and the Foundations' Program Officers. The Communications Officer reports to the Director of Communications. This full-time (37.5 hours per week), exempt (salaried) position is based in our Los Altos office, with one day each week in our San Francisco, CA office. Candidates are not expected to have experience in all areas listed in the job posting. Primary Responsibilities Proactively design communication strategies, including leading implementation and management of communication approaches and tactics for several program areas, with an understanding of determinants of impact and success. Manage multiple communications projects and initiatives concurrently. Provide critical thinking and communications support to advocacy work. Serve as a thought partner to program officers and grantees, helping define communications goals, audiences, tactics, and message development. Effectively lead teams and manage relationships with communications professionals including consultants and partners. Contribute to, and edit, Foundation written materials that help achieve programmatic and organizational goals and that encourage transparency. Ensure that the organization's identity and values are reflected consistently. Monitor news and information related to the Heising-Simons organizations, its program areas, and grantees. Serve as a supportive, creative, and flexible team member