Director, Executive Communications and Media Relations at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded in 2015 by Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg to help solve some of society’s toughest challenges — from curing or preventing disease to improving education and addressing the needs of our local communities. We provide the operational support across our areas of work.

Across our work in Science, Education, and within our communities, we pair technology with grantmaking, impact investing, and collaboration to help accelerate the pace of progress toward our mission. Our Operations organization provides the support needed to push this work forward. 

Operations consists of our Brand & Communications, Central Tech, Finance, People, Real Estate/Workplace/Events/Facilities/Security (REWFS), Strategy & Operations, and Ventures teams. These teams provide the essential operations, services, and strategies needed to support CZI’s progress toward achieving its mission to build a better future for everyone.

The Director of Executive Communications role at CZI is an opportunity for an accomplished senior communications professional to lead executive communications and issues management at a fast paced and innovative philanthropic organization. CZI’s mission is to build a more inclusive, just and healthy future for everyone and, as part of the Brand and Communications team, you will help build trust, credibility and engagement to inspire the world to champion and contribute to that mission.

This role sits on the Brand and Communications team and reports to CZI’s Head of Brand and Communications. In this role, you will partner closely with other senior leaders on the Brand and Communications team as well as throughout the organization, coordinating and planning integrated executive communications and storytelling opportunities across initiatives and programs.

• Increase understanding of CZI’s impact among key audiences through proactive, integrated communication planning, thought leadership content development and active, ongoing media relations.
• Advance and execute the positioning strategy for CEO(s) and senior leaders, including developing message platforms, identifying and evaluating speaking and media engagements, writing scripts, speeches, talking points, and background materials.
• Anticipate and mitigate crisis communications issues by monitoring the internal and external landscape, developing communication plans/talking points on relevant issues, and coordinating with key stakeholders and spokespeople.
• Partner closely with other senior leaders on the Brand and Communications team as well as throughout the organization, coordinating and planning integrated executive communications and storytelling opportunities across initiatives and programs that are optimized for consistency and impact.
• Serve as CZI spokesperson and prepare other spokespeople as needed. 
• Provide strategic guidance and consultation with cross-functional teams, executives, leaders, and partners. 
• Manage agency partners and consultants in support of the portfolio

• 10+ years experience as a senior-level communications practitioner with experience serving as spokesperson and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain media relationships
• People management experience, including management of outside agencies or contractors.
• Experience working as an advisor and counselor to senior leaders and executives 
• Crisis and issues management experience
• Outstanding writing and editing skills; ability to write for a broad spectrum of communications channels.
• Passion about the work we are doing at CZI
• Willingness and ability to work collaboratively, adapt to a dynamic work environment, and navigate complexity and multiple priorities to deliver results.

The Redwood City, CA base pay range for a new hire in this role is $193,000.00 - $265,100.00. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process. 

As we grow, we’re excited to strengthen in-person connections and cultivate a collaborative, team-oriented environment. This role is a hybrid position requiring you to be onsite for at least 60% of the working month, approximately 3 days a week, with specific in-office days determined by the team’s manager. The exact schedule will be at the hiring manager's discretion and communicated during the interview process.

We’re thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible. 

• Provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
• Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice. 
• Funding for select family-forming benefits. 
• Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving

If you’re interested in a role but your previous experience doesn’t perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.