Deputy Director, Communications

Role Overview

• Serve as the strategic and operational partner to the Director, Communications & Influence, supporting the leadership, coordination, and execution of the Communications function.
• Help translate the Director’s strategic vision into coordinated implementation across the organization.
• Focus on execution, team leadership, and operational oversight of communications efforts.
• Manage day-to-day communications operations, supervise staff and consultants, and strengthen systems and processes.
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Director, Communications & Influence, helping translate communications strategy into coordinated execution.
• Support development and implementation of communications strategies that elevate Rippel’s voice and influence.
• Work with program teams and subject matter experts to implement communications strategies ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Serve as a liaison to Rippel’s spokespeople and subject matter experts to support the development of speeches, presentations, op-eds, and other public-facing materials.
• Manage media relations, issues monitoring, and brand stewardship.
• Identify opportunities for visibility, including media coverage and/or high-profile speaking engagements, and support outreach efforts in partnership with the Director.
• Lead operational management of the Communications function, including workflow coordination, project prioritization, and cross-team alignment.
• Lead the development and improvement of communications systems, workflows, and internal processes that support effective collaboration and high-quality output.
• Track performance of communications initiatives and provide insights to strengthen future communications efforts.
• Support budget tracking, vendor management, and resource coordination in partnership with the Director.

Requirements

• 10+ years’ professional communications and/or public relations experience required, preferably in a non-profit, foundation, or public agency setting.
• Experience supervising direct reports, consultants, and vendors
• Superior editorial production skills, easily discerning what makes compelling content
• Excellent writing and editing skills to prepare or oversee a wide variety of communications content, including public announcements, reports, internal memos, speeches, policy memos, infographics, videos, and social media content
• Experienced and wise discernment handling dynamic, sensitive, high-stakes assignments with executives, multiple stakeholders, and diverse viewpoints
• Strong media relations skills, with a track record of writing opinion pieces and successfully pitching national, state, regional and local media outlets
• Proficient with standard digital platforms, including email, content management systems, and web management tools such as Mailchimp and WordPress
• Conscientious, detail-oriented project management, time management, and organizational skills, moving initiatives forward in a collaborative and effective manner
• Ability to lead, motivate, and supervise multicultural teams in a way that achieves project objectives, supports the professional development of team members, and contributes to a collegial working environment
• A strategic mindset with the ability to exercise sound judgment while navigating complex situations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with and provide clear direction to internal and external colleagues and consultants; self-motivated and able to work well both independently and as part of a team
• High cultural competence to effectively work in partnership with diverse communities, including an appreciation for historical context, discernment of relationship nuances and power dynamics, and a keen understanding of social, racial, and ethnic differences
• A broad appreciation for and sensitivity to Rippel’s culture and workplace environment, including its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion across racial, cultural, political, and ideological differences
• Aligned to Rippel's mission of creating equitable health and well-being for all in the US.

Tech Stack

• WordPress

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Basic life/LTD
• Flexible spending accounts
• 401(k)
• Generous paid time off
• Paid family leave