Chaloner has partnered with The New York Health Foundation on their search for a Director of Communications. 

As New York’s first statewide health foundation, NYHealth offers a unique platform for change and impact. If you want to make a meaningful difference in the health and lives of New Yorkers, NYHealth may be the right place for you. The position is an ideal fit for a candidate who is mission-oriented, creative, productive, and collaborative. In this role, you will join our dedicated staff in a collegial atmosphere and advance our work to make New York a healthier place. 

About NYHealth: NYHealth is a private and independent foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. NYHealth began operations in 2006; today, it has approximately $350 million in assets. The Foundation is committed to making grants and to making a difference beyond grant dollars: informing health care policy and practice, spreading effective programs to improve the health system and make it more equitable, serving as a convener of health leaders across the State, and providing technical assistance to grantees and partners. The Foundation concentrates its initiatives on Healthy Food, Healthy Lives; Primary Care; and Veterans’ Health. NYHealth also engages in responsive grantmaking through a Special Projects Fund.

Position Overview: Reporting to the President and CEO, the Director of Communications is responsible for the overall development, implementation, and management of the communications vision, plans, and tactics to advance NYHealth’s mission. Key communications priorities include raising the visibility and influence of the Foundation; developing and disseminating timely, credible analyses of and commentary on pressing policy issues; sharing the results and lessons of the Foundation’s grantmaking; and serving as a convener of health leaders and stakeholders throughout New York State. The Director of Communications is a member of the Foundation’s senior management team and works in a close and collaborative style with the Program, Policy & Research, and Finance and Operations departments. The position also supervises, coaches, and mentors two full-time direct reports and an intern.

Responsibilities:

A. Overall Communications Strategy and Implementation

Develop the Foundation’s communications strategies, plans, and tactics. Bring curiosity, proactive energy, and strategic thinking to generate and implement ideas for communications opportunities in collaboration with colleagues across the organization. 

• Create and implement an integrated communications platform including the website (www.nyhealthfoundation.org), social media strategies, media relations, public events and webinars, digital content including video and photo projects, and e-mail outreach. 

• Provide strategic and editorial guidance for Foundation-funded policy analyses, reports, and advocacy campaigns.

• Support executive communications and internal communications including Board communications.

• Monitor communications analytics and adapt strategies and tactics as needed.

• Manage the development and editing of materials for quarterly Board of Directors meetings.

B. Organizational Voice and Leadership

Position the Foundation as a leader on key health care and public health issues in New York State.

• Draft talking points, speeches, testimony, monthly columns, quarterly updates to the field, and other materials on behalf of the President and CEO.

• Stay abreast of policy developments and media coverage related to NYHealth priority areas.

• Identify and create opportunities for staff across the organization to elevate priority issues with key audiences (e.g., policymakers, the media, health care and public health practitioners, community-based organizations, advocates, other funders) and advocate for policy change.

• Stay abreast of the media landscape and key contacts to allow for regular earned media for NYHealth.

• Make recommendations about which opportunities (e.g., media, public comments, testimony) are worth pursuing.

• Maintain an editorial calendar to ensure a regular pipeline of coordinated content and activities to elevate priority issues.

C. Coordination and Collaboration Across Departments

Facilitate collaboration and coordination across the Foundation’s functional departments. 

• Work closely with the Program and Policy & Research teams to develop analytic reports, policy briefs, public comments, and legislative testimony, translating complex findings into understandable messages and language for lay audiences. 

• Identify opportunities with Program staff to elevate the work of grantees and partners through storytelling, media outreach, social media, and photo and video projects. 

• Work with grantees to maximize opportunities to deploy communications as a tool to elevate their programs and outcomes.

• Collaborate with Program and Grants Management teams to develop materials for quarterly Board of Directors meetings. 

• Manage content calendars and processes to ensure coordination across teams and clarity of roles and responsibilities.

D. Management

Supervise a dynamic team of communications professionals. 

• Lead, coach, motivate, and retain staff members and evaluate their performance.

• Ensure effective collaboration and appropriate opportunities for professional growth and autonomy. 

Upcoming Priorities:

In the coming year, the Foundation expects to lay the groundwork for two larger projects in 2026: a potential website redesign and the observation and celebration of NYHealth’s 20th anniversary. The Communications team will have primary responsibility for these activities. 

Required Experience and Qualifications:

The Director of Communications is a seasoned communications professional with superior writing and editing skills, careful attention to detail, and strong editorial judgment. The successful candidate is creative, mission-driven, and able to work collaboratively. They should have proven management experience and a collegial and inclusive style. Additional qualifications include: 

• At least 10 years of communications experience, including at least three years in a leadership position, preferably in the philanthropic or nonprofit sector.

• Demonstrated experience translating complex research and policy findings into plain language.

• Knowledge and understanding of health care/public health.

• Excellent writing and editing skills plus an understanding of effective visual communications.

• Decisive with sound judgement; skilled at balancing strategic thinking and decision-making with an ability to get in the weeds and be hands-on.

• Demonstrated ability to implement and manage multiple priorities effectively. 

• Strong management skills with ability to motivate, coach, and mentor diverse teams.  

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Personally motivated to support the Foundation’s mission and goals.

• A graduate degree in public health, public policy, journalism, communications, or a relevant discipline is preferred.

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $180,000–$210,000, depending on experience and qualifications. 

This position is hybrid remote/in-person at the Foundation’s New York City office, currently with two days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) expected in the office. 

NYHealth offers a generous package of benefits, including employer-paid health insurance; dental, vision, and life insurance; employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement account; professional development and tuition assistance; and wellness and commuting benefits, among others. NYHealth is committed to mentoring and providing learning opportunities. 

Application Process: 

Interested candidates should apply by using the application form. Chaloner will review all applicants and, upon qualification, contact you to determine next steps.

The New York Health Foundation welcomes applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences and values having a diverse staff. Employment opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.