About GEO

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) is a community of funders committed to transforming philanthropic culture and practice by connecting members to the resources and relationships needed to support thriving nonprofits and communities. We envision courageous grantmakers working in service of nonprofits and communities to create a just, connected and inclusive society where we can all thrive. With more than 6,000 grantmakers who belong to philanthropic organizations of all sizes and types across the globe, we work to lift up the grantmaking practices that matter most to nonprofits and that truly improve philanthropic practice. To learn more about how GEO is making faster progress possible, visit www.geofunders.org.

Position Overview

The Director of Communications leads a full range of strategic communications and marketing strategies to advance GEO’s mission and drive field-level change. In particular, the Director will build out communications approaches that enable GEO to effectively transform philanthropic culture and practice in service of thriving nonprofits and communities.

Reporting to the Vice President of External Affairs, the Director will work closely with senior staff and supervise the Communications Manager and Communications Specialist. As a brand champion and strategic thinker, the Director develops and executes long-term, national communications campaigns that leverage both traditional and new media. They are driven to deeply understand GEO’s audiences and establish feedback processes to ensure communications strategies are informed by member and partner input.

The Director is an excellent writer and editor who helps GEO powerfully position its messages as a leader in the philanthropic sector. With strong supervisory, facilitation, management and organizational skills, the Director will strengthen GEO’s communications infrastructure to support the organization’s strategic goals.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in philanthropy-sector communications and a sophisticated understanding of intersectional racial equity and how to advance social change through strategic communications. They should demonstrate a track record of using communications to influence institutional practices and behaviors, particularly around equity and systems change.

This role includes 10-15% travel.

Classification

GEO recognizes a staff bargaining unit, 1199SEIU, affiliated with the United Healthcare Workers East. This position is not included in GEO’s bargaining unit.

Examples of projects you will have in this role include:

• Working with senior leadership to develop a new year message to the GEO community offering insights, analysis, and a call to action to funders navigating a complex political and social landscape.
• Partnering with the Director of Membership and Development to align ongoing member communications with GEO’s organizational messaging.
• Supporting the Communications Manager in developing the 2024 Annual Report, incorporating input from the program team, membership and development team, and operations team.
• Leading a communications team meeting ensuring that all communications staff are informed, equipped, and supported to execute their tasks while maintaining a focus on long term goals.
• Collaborating with the program team to develop messaging framing for a funder convening on operationalizing racial equity in their foundations.
• Guiding external consultants through building out a new page on GEO’s website sharing our Racial Equity Imperative.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience in strategic communications, public relations, marketing, or related roles in philanthropic or nonprofit settings; or a combination of training, education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties for this position.
• Proven track record in strategic communications, including developing and executing communication plans, supporting messaging alignment, and managing media relations.
• Experience supervising staff and motivating, guiding, and supporting a team.
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills with a commitment and focus on relationship building.
• Deep knowledge of the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, including an understanding of ways to support and challenge the field through strategic communications.
• Strong collaboration skills and experience engaging staff, board, and external stakeholders in strategic communications.
• Familiarity with communication tools and software (e.g., content management systems, email marketing platforms, social media management tools).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and presentation tools.
• Knowledge of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), analytics, and digital marketing principles.
• Understanding of graphic design and video editing software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) can be a plus.
• Practices curiosity and a learning mindset – excitement about exploring and trying new things.
• Experience with change management and leading change processes within organizations.
• Community-centered collaboration – working closely with peers to understand and implement meaningful changes.
• Ability to build and strengthen relationships across teams and with a broad group of stakeholders.
• High degree of personal integrity, ethics and demonstrated respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and willingness to live into GEO’s values and ways of being.
• Passion for GEO’s mission and vision to transform philanthropic culture and practice.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should apply on our jobs page at https://www.geofunders.org/about-us/jobs. A resume and cover letter are required to be considered for this position. In your cover letter, please address the following:

• Why are you a good fit for this position?
• What role do you see communications playing in an organization like GEO?
• What appeals to you about working at GEO?

We will begin to review applications the week of January 6th and continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

Note: Majority of the hiring process will be conducted virtually; however, with advance notice, candidates may be asked to participate in-person interviews.

Compensation and Benefits

GEO offers a competitive salary ($120-$140k). The starting salary is based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience. To counter pay inequity and uphold internal parity, we use a nonnegotiable starting salary system, while benchmarking our pay to competitive markets.

GEO’s generous benefits package includes: 100 percent employer-paid health/dental/vision insurance; three weeks of vacation; office closure for federal holidays as well as a one-week summer break, summer Fridays and the last two weeks of the year; twelve sick days, three personal days, one volunteer day; a seven percent employer retirement contribution; sabbaticals every three years of service; wellness benefits; telecommunications reimbursement; transportation benefits; a commitment to professional development and growth including annual funding for professional development; along with a Metro accessible office location in downtown D.C.

Location: DC-area strongly preferred.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email wise@geofunders.org.

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations is an equal opportunity employer. GEO is committed to equal employment opportunities in recruitment, hiring, promotion, training, compensation and disciplinary action with regard to the terms and conditions of employment. GEO does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, age, sex, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation or any other legally protected characteristic.