Senior Director of Communications and Development

The Nova Institute for Health, a nonprofit organization based in Baltimore, Maryland, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated professional with outstanding leadership, communications, public relations, and fundraising skills to lead external affairs for the organization. The senior director of communications and development provides both strategic as well as tactical support. As part of the leadership team, the senior director of communications and development also helps determine overall organizational strategy, vision, funding, staffing, programming, and partner collaboration and outreach. The position supervises three staff members and several consultants and manages high-visibility projects.

Primary Responsibilities - Communications (approximately 60% effort)

• Manage internal and external communications strategies to raise the organization’s profile, including that of its president and founder, and increase awareness about the many factors that contribute to health and well-being
• Develop and implement overall organizational communications strategy and plans
• Collaborate with Nova Scholars and Fellows to disseminate their research and publications to a broad audience of media, policymakers, advocates, and interdisciplinary experts
• Lead all messaging and branding efforts
• Draft organizational remarks, talking points, blog posts, and opinion pieces
• Oversee the creation and development of all internal and external organizational materials (i.e., annual reports, one-pagers, fact sheets, white papers, and infographics)
• Oversee primary website and social media strategies as well as email marketing
• Help to shape and contribute to virtual and in-person conferences, meetings, and forums
• Lead media relations and outreach
• Prepare materials to report on Nova programs, activities, and impact to staff, board members, Scholars and Fellows, partners, and other key audiences
• Manage Media Fellowship program and serve as liaison for the Media Advisory Council
• Lead and oversee the Nova Integration Hub online digital space; manage the Hub team
• Manage and mentor the communications manager and online community builder
• Other duties and tasks as requested

Primary Responsibilities - Development (approximately 40% effort)

• Working with the leadership team, Nova staff, and consultants, oversee organizational development and fundraising efforts
• Write and review grant proposals, collaborate with funders, and interact with high-level donors
• Develop messaging and materials for major donors, funders, and foundations
• Develop and finalize fundraising publications and online content and solicitations
• Conduct, oversee, and coordinate prospect research
• Manage grant writer
• Other tasks as requested

Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred (e.g., MA, MS, MFA) in a relevant field of study
• Ten to fifteen years of relevant work experience, including in a senior leadership position, in communications, public relations, marketing, and/or fundraising
• Experience in a nonprofit, philanthropic, or higher education institution and/or government agency
• Demonstrated leadership and management abilities, including program development, budget and financial management, and staff mentorship
• Superior writing and editing skills
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Experience with branding, messaging, marketing, and design practices and principles
• Experience with digital and social media planning, strategy, and implementation
• Experience with grant writing and reporting
• Experience with major donor outreach, messaging, and materials
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage and work well with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Public speaking and group facilitation skills
• High degree of flexibility, efficiency, and initiative
• High level of self-motivation and the ability to work independently
• Creative thinker and problem-solver
• Excellent attention to detail
• Solid computer proficiency and familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google work environments
• Knowledge and experience with health and well-being issues, research, or policy is a plus

To apply, please email a resume and compelling cover letter to Rick Scott, chief operating officer, at opportunities@novainstituteforhealth.org by Sunday, January 12, 2025.

• Note that applicants do not have to be located in Maryland but should be able to periodically travel to our Baltimore, Maryland, headquarters.