Director of Strategic Communications

Job Description

Job Description

THE COMPANY 

The Low Income Investment Fund is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that mobilizes capital and partners to achieve opportunities, equity and wellbeing for people and communities. LIIF innovates financial solutions to create more equitable outcomes for all by building and preserving affordable homes, quality educational opportunities from early childhood through higher education, health clinics, healthy food retail and community facilities. In this way, LIIF provides a bridge between private capital markets and communities. LIIF’s headquarters is in San Francisco and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

This position reports to the Vice President, Communications 

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Director of Strategic Communications will strengthen and elevate LIIF’s external voice and visibility across housing, early care and education, and community investment, while helping to position the organization as a thought leader in community development finance.

This leader will help develop and drive a compelling enterprise-wide narrative that clearly connects LIIF’s mission, strategic plan, lending activities, policy priorities, and impact. They will translate complex financial, policy, and community development work into clear, relatable stories that resonate with diverse audiences, including funders, policymakers, peer CDFIs, developers, community partners, and the media.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Storytelling, Messaging and Content Creation – 35%

Develop and maintain an organization-wide messaging framework that aligns LIIF’s strategic plan, impact, and work across housing, early care and education, lending, and policy initiatives.

Create and refine a compelling narrative that helps external audiences understand how LIIF’s investments drive opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve outcomes for families.

Translate complex community development finance, lending, and policy concepts into clear, accessible, and engaging communications tailored to diverse audiences.

Identify, develop, and elevate stories that demonstrate the real-world impact of LIIF’s work through the voices of borrowers, developers, community partners, families, and other stakeholders.

Write or edit LIIF’s blogs, op-eds, speeches, and other thought leadership content.

Produce high-profile publications and communications materials, including but not limited to the annual report, thought pieces, email marketing, public testimony, regulatory comments, and other public communications.

Partner with the policy and development teams to align communications strategies with LIIF’s development goals and policy priorities.

Develop communications strategies and materials that support the case for impact reporting, policy campaigns, public testimony, coalition engagement, and regulatory advocacy.

Lead the planning and production of LIIF’s annual report, including developing the report theme, managing the budget, and identifying key projects and initiatives that highlight organizational achievements and impact.

Communications Strategy, Brand & Digital Platforms – 30%

Participate in developing, implementing, and continuously refining LIIF’s communications strategy, editorial calendar, and content priorities.

Direct all-digital, print, and multimedia storytelling platforms, including the website, newsletters, social media channels, and emerging communications platforms.

Edit publications, ensuring consistency of tone, message, brand identity, and organizational voice.

Strengthen LIIF’s brand positioning and visibility among key audiences, including funders, policymakers, peer CDFIs, developers, community partners, and the media.

Enhance existing communications and influence strategies with strong digital and audience engagement lens.

Monitor communications performance and recommend strategies to increase reach, engagement, and impact.

Executive & Field Support – 15%

Understand and effectively represent the communication styles and voices of LIIF’s leadership.

Support the Executive Team and staff in articulating LIIF’s theory of change, strategic priorities, and impact.

Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leaders on messaging, positioning, and stakeholder engagement.

Prepare and support executives for media engagements, interviews, speaking opportunities, and public appearances.

Team Management and Engagement – 15%

Manage consultants, agencies, and vendors supporting communications, media relations, digital strategy, and content production.

Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.

Participate as a key member of the External Affairs department.

Build strong partnerships across departments to ensure communications are integrated into organizational priorities and initiatives.

Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

Participate in organizational initiatives and cross-functional projects.

Contribute to internal communications and culture-building efforts.

Perform other related duties as required to support strategic objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Communications, Public Policy, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field preferred.

5-8 years of progressive experience in communications, journalism, public affairs, or related fields, with demonstrated success in strategic communications, branding. Influence strategy, and advocacy.

Experience developing organizational messaging frameworks and leading narrative strategies across complex organizations.

Prior experience in community development, housing, early care and education, community finance, philanthropy, public policy, or nonprofit organizations are strongly preferred.

Proven staff management experience supervising professional staff and managing consultants.

Skills & Competencies

Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and verbal communication skills.

Strong strategic thinker with a proven ability to lead organizational communications and influence efforts.

Demonstrated ability to translate complex financial, policy, and programmatic concepts into compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

Experience creating and managing messaging frameworks that align organizational strategy, impact, and external communications.

Ability to synthesize multiple initiatives, business lines, and program areas into a cohesive and compelling external narrative.

Skilled in public relations, thought leadership, storytelling, media relations, and digital communications.

Ability to understand and authentically represent the communication styles and voices of senior leaders.

Experience communicating with and influencing audiences including philanthropy, investors, policymakers, developers, peer organizations, and community stakeholders.

Strong relationship-building skills and ability to partner effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Strong technology literacy, including Microsoft Office, CRM systems, content management systems, and design platforms such as Canva and Adobe Creative Suite.

Formal media training a plus.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate is a strategist, a storyteller, and a content creator- someone who can craft messages that resonate with multiple audiences, elevate the voices of LIIF’s leadership, and help stakeholders understand how LIIF’s investments create opportunities, strengthen communities, and improve outcomes for families.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

LIIF offers a hybrid work environment with flexibility to balance in-office and remote work. However, all employees are expected to work on-site at least two (2) days per week. The successful candidate may be expected to travel occasionally for meetings, trainings, conferences, or other Company sponsored events.

HOW TO APPLY : 

Please apply with Resume and Cover Letter via our recruitment portal:  

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Notice to Third Party Recruitment Agencies:

Please note that Low Income Investment Fund does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies.  In the absence of an executed Recruitment Services Agreement, there will be no obligation to any referral compensation or recruiter fee.

In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without an agreement Low Income Investment Fund shall explicitly reserve the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, shall be deemed the property of Low Income Investment Fund. 

We do not accept unsolicited phone calls. Only candidates being considered for a position will be contacted.

LIIF, an EOE (Equal Opportunity Employer), believes that diversity ensures excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or national origin. Candidates of diverse background and with diverse experience are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.