Program Communications Director

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Communications Director equips key stakeholders with the messaging and tools to tell a clear, compelling story about Habitat for Humanity’s programs around the world and the strategies guiding them. The Program Communications Director is an interpreter of complex material and technical concepts, helping make strategic approaches understandable and relatable to key internal and external audiences, from leadership and our international network to technical audiences, donors and partners. This person helps articulate the connections between high-level strategy and on-the-ground impact, describing not only the “what” of Habitat’s international program work but also the “how” and the “why.” They are an outstanding writer who can draft content for a sophisticated technical community as well as a more general audience.

Reporting to the Senior Director, International Communications with a cross functional reporting to the Senior Vice President of Integrated Programming, the Program Communications Director is responsible for increasing the understanding of key aspects of Habitat’s program approach, including the Three Houses strategy, Habitat’s International Theory of Change and sector-specific program strategies that – in collaboration with families, communities and other partners around the world – help increase Habitat’s impact and its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

This position, in collaboration with colleagues in Global Communications and members of program teams globally, manages the creation of compelling content and messaging that is appropriate for both technical and more general audiences and in concert with Habitat’s brand and tailored to key audiences such as Habitat leadership and staff, our international network, donors, and other supporters. Key internal partners include the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President of Program Effectiveness, the Vice President of Global Foundations, Organizations and Institutions, and communications colleagues in the U.S. and around the world. This role will also supervise two other program communications positions: the Terwilliger Center Communications Manager and the Volunteering Communications Manager.

This position can be based remotely within the US or internationally near HFHI area offices located in Bratislava, Slovakia; Nairobi, Kenya; San Jose, Costa Rica; and London, United Kingdom, requiring 10% travel domestically and internationally.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Embedding with international programs teams to develop a deep understanding of Habitat’s strategic approach (25%).
• Collaborating closely with the Senior Director of International Communications, the SVP of Integrated Programming and others on messaging and content plans that clearly communicate Habitat’s program approach and DEI efforts to various internal and external key audiences, writing for both technical and more general audiences (25%).
• Collaborating with communication colleagues in the U.S. and around the world to develop communications tools and assets (25%).
• Helping prepare Habitat leadership, fundraisers and other key stakeholders with messaging and communications tools for specific opportunities, technical and general events and other key moments (15%).
• Collaborating with communications colleagues around the world to ensure, where appropriate, that Habitat communications and storytelling reflect and advance the organization’s program strategies, including its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (5%).
• Line management and career development for the other Program Comms team members – the Terwilliger Center Communications Manager and the Volunteering Communications Manager.
• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field.
• At least 7+ years in communications work, especially managing global projects with multiple stakeholders and/or writing and interpreting technical information for various audiences.
• Lived or professional experience working internationally on a global team and/or within an NGO on international development.
• Proficiency in building creative concepts and demonstrated ability to see projects through to completion.
• Ability to write, edit, evaluate and curate strong content related to international development while meeting brand, marketing and messaging needs.
• Ability to lead the creation of complete content packages; established experience with photo selection, design collaboration, etc., all while maintaining brand standards.
• Strong communications and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural competencies and organizational and project management skills that demonstrate an ability to successfully collaborate with a variety of departments and stakeholders.

PREFERRED:

• Previous nonprofit experience a plus.
• Experience with international development a plus.
• Active support of HFHI Values:
  • Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves
  • Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular
  • Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission
• Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

The actual salary offered for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including location, internal equity and the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience. HFHI offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that varies by country and typically includes vacation leave, sick leave, personal days, health insurance options, retirement plan contributions and life insurance.

For work locations in the US, the salary range for this position is between $79,000 – 119,000 per year. The target hiring range for this position is $84,150 - $94,050 per year.

About the Organization

Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, is a global, Christian-based nonprofit organization that grew out of an intentionally multi-racial community in rural Georgia. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat brings together people of all faiths and people of no faith to build homes, communities and hope. Working alongside each other, we help families and individuals build and improve places to call home and achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Habitat seeks individuals who have a willingness to affirm these principles and values.

At Habitat for Humanity International, we embrace a history rooted in creating equity and take our mission seriously by courageously committing to a culture and workplace where all staff feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported and valued. As an equal opportunity employer, we realize that our success depends upon building an inclusive workforce of diverse perspectives and encourage people of varied races (which is inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles and hair texture), ethnicities, national origins, tribes, religions, ages, gender identities and expressions, genders, sexual orientations, marital statuses, disabilities, veteran/reserve national guard statuses, socio-economic statuses, thinking and communication styles to work with us.

We also require that all staff take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children), and all those with whom we work. In line with the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, all staff must pass a thorough background screening and will be held accountable to upholding our policies around ethical behavior, including safeguarding and whistleblowing.