Senior Communications Advisor

Position: Senior Communications Advisor Reports To: Director, Marketing & Communications Department: Marketing & Communications Supervisory Role: No Location: Remote, U.S. Exemption Status: Full-Time FLSA Status: Exempt POSITION OVERVIEW The Senior Communications Advisor is as a trusted advisor to executive and senior leadership to translate Changent priorities, complex initiatives, and important decisions into compelling communications that advance our mission. The Advisor provides senior-level counsel across communications, thought leadership, reputation, and high-visibility initiatives, applying sound judgment and an understanding of audiences, messaging, and organizational context. Working across the Changent, this role connects communications across the organization to build alignment, support informed decision-making, and strengthen the organizational voice and reputation. Through thoughtful counsel and clear, purposeful communications, this role supports work that improves the lives of children, families, and communities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 30% | Executive Communications Counsel & Advisory Advise executive and senior leaders on messaging, stakeholder considerations, timing, and delivery. Translate organizational strategy, decisions, and initiatives into clear and compelling communications. Anticipate communications needs, assess reputational implications, and understand stakeholder reactions related to major organizational decisions. Prepare executive communications, talking points, presentations, briefing materials, speeches, and organizational announcements. Counsel leaders on sensitive, high-visibility, and complex communications matters. Provide real-time communications guidance during organizational change, emerging issues, or periods of heightened external attention. Prepare executives for high-profile internal and external engagements and stakeholder interactions. Guide executive communications to reinforce organizational mission, values, brand, and strategic priorities. 25% | Enterprise Communications Strategy & Integration Lead communications planning for enterprise-wide priorities and major organizational initiatives. Advise departments on communications planning to coordinate messages, audiences, timing, and channels across the organization. Partner with department leaders to clarify communications objectives and determine the most effective approach. Assess enterprise communications to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities. Facilitate enterprise communications planning and coordination with cross-functional teams. Develop and maintain messaging frameworks, narrative guidance, communications protocols, and decision-making processes. Provide strategic oversight for major organization-wide communications deliverables, including the Year in Review and other high-profile publications and campaigns. Shape enterprise communications around a cohesive organizational narrative and brand position. 20% | Internal Communications & Change Communications Develop internal communications strategies in partnership with executive leaders and the Director of Marketing and Communications. Counsel leaders on communications related to organizational change, strategic priorities, leadership decisions, and major initiatives. Create or oversee executive announcements, staff communications, organizational updates, and leadership messages. Develop communications plans that consider employee audiences, sequencing, timing, feedback, and potential areas of concern. Advise on change management communications across the organization. Advise on communications for leadership and organization-wide meetings and other internal engagement opportunities. Set communications standards, guidelines, and processes that promote consistency and coordination. Assess the effectiveness of internal communications and recommend improvements. 15% | Thought Leadership, Reputation & Issues Counsel Advise on thought leadership opportunities and executive positioning to strengthen the organizational voice and expertise. Develop executive narratives, key messages, points of view, and positioning for priority topics. Partner with subject matter experts and external agencies on thought leadership across conferences, media, and other external platforms. Counsel leaders on reputational implications of public issues, policy developments, organizational decisions, and emerging events. Identify communications risks and recommend proactive response strategies. Support crisis and issues communications planning in partnership with the Director and external agency. Advise on sensitive external communications, statements, op-eds, talking points, and public responses. Link thought leadership efforts to broader organizational and reputational goals. 10% | Brand, Digital Governance & Strategic Projects Guide the organizational narrative, brand voice, and messaging standards across high-visibility communications. Provide strategic guidance on brand positioning and messaging across high-profile organizational communications. Provide strategic oversight for website content, structure, governance, and updates. Partner with the internal website owner and external technology firm to support website priorities and audience needs. Review high-visibility communications products for strategic alignment, message clarity, and brand consistency. Develop communications guidelines, review protocols, and decision frameworks in partnership with the Director. Lead or advise on special communications projects requiring executive engagement and cross-functional coordination. Support agency coordination by clarifying internal priorities, feedback, approvals, and subject matter expertise. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Affairs, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. Minimum 10 years’ of progressive experience in strategic communications, executive communications, corporate communications, public affairs, or a related field. Experience serving as a trusted communications advisor to executives and senior leaders. Experience developing communications strategies for complex, sensitive, or enterprise-wide initiatives. Advanced executive writing skills, including speeches, talking points, presentations, organizational announcements, briefing materials, and thought leadership content. Experience preparing internal and change communications. Experience advising on reputational risks, stakeholder reactions, crisis communications, or issues management. Experience supporting thought leadership and executive positioning. Experience working in a complex, matrixed, national, or decentralized organization. Experience leading complex, cross-functional communications projects without direct authority. Knowledge of brand strategy, narrative development, and organizational reputation. Exceptional judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and political awareness, with the ability to synthesize complex information and distill key messages. Ability to facilitate, consult, build relationships, and influence, with the ability to balance long-term priorities with urgent and evolving communications needs. Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, public health, policy, advocacy, or mission-driven organizations preferred. Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in a remote environment. Ability to travel up to 15% annually as needed. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position reports to the Director, Marketing & Communications and does not have direct reports.