Head of Communications

Chaloner has partnered with Social Finance on the search for a Head of Communications to join their team.

About

Social Finance is a national nonprofit and a registered investment advisor (SF Advisors, LLC). We work with the public, private, and social sectors to create partnerships and investments that measurably improve lives. Since our founding in 2011, we have mobilized more than $500 million in new investments designed to help people and communities realize improved outcomes in workforce and economic mobility, health, and housing.

We are driven by the belief that social and economic systems should enable all people to thrive, and the conviction that we can create the most meaningful and measurable change in our communities when governments and markets work together. Our organization is built upon five core values: people, performance, integrity, collaboration, and inclusion.

Our work spans four areas: Impact-first Investing, Workforce and Education Investments, Advisory & Public Sector Practice, and the Social Finance Institute. Our Impact-first Investment team designs, launches, and manages investments that provide solutions for effectively deploying impact capital across a range of social outcomes. Our Economic Mobility team designs, launches and manages financial solutions focused on addressing workforce challenges, including skills acquisition and training access. Our Advisory team partners with government and philanthropy leaders to implement data-driven programs for advancing social impact. And through the Social Finance Institute, we aim to build the field and change systems through actionable research, communities of practice, and educational outreach.

The Opportunity

Social Finance seeks an innovative and strategic leader to serve as Head of Communications. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with senior leadership, this individual will be responsible for leading a high-performing 4-person communications team as well as communications efforts for the entire organization including the Social Finance Institute. The Head of Communications will play a crucial role in elevating and modernizing Social Finance's communications function, enhancing the visibility of Social Finance's work and both shaping and executing our brand and communications strategy, ensuring that our mission, impact, and initiatives are effectively communicated to diverse and new audiences. The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of excellence in strategic communications, meaningful experience leading high-performing teams, a command of modern communications tools and platforms including emerging AI tools, and an ability to leverage their existing network to increase Social Finance's influence. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Strategic Visioning: Develop and implement a comprehensive communications vision and strategy that advances Social Finance's mission, values, and objectives. Assess and evolve the current communications function, bringing the strategic direction, structure, and capabilities needed to scale our impact and reach. Develop a clear and compelling "voice" for the organization that engages key audiences and advances our impact. Leverage an established network of media and industry contacts to amplify Social Finance's influence and thought leadership. Provide vision and intellectual leadership to roadmap the future of our communications efforts.
• Brand Leadership: Own Social Finance's brand positioning and drive a brand refresh that sharpens how the organization is understood by media, funders, partners, and the public. Serve as the internal architect of brand strategy, bringing coherence and distinction to how Social Finance presents itself across all channels and audiences.
• Leadership and Management: Lead and mentor the communications team, fostering a collaborative, efficient and innovative environment. Effectively engage and collaborate with other key stakeholders across the organization, including within the Institute, partnerships and programmatic teams. Model maturity and a service-oriented mindset, proactively supporting business teams. Oversee day-to-day operations, including budget management, resource allocation, and performance evaluation.
• Media Relations: Leverage existing contacts and cultivate new relationships with journalists and media outlets to secure media placements and interviews, which may include speaking on the record on behalf of Social Finance. This will include contacts working on a range of issues, both nationally and regionally, such as: finance, labor markets, policy, and more. Develop effective media relations strategies to generate positive coverage and raise awareness of Social Finance's initiatives, impact, and thought leadership, including op-ed placement.
• Content Development: In coordination with Social Finance programmatic colleagues, drive the creation of compelling content that translates the value of our work to existing and new audiences, including press releases, articles, op-eds, reports, blogs, social media posts, and multimedia materials. Ensure that all communications materials are accurate, engaging, and aligned with our brand voice and messaging.
• Digital Marketing: Oversee digital marketing efforts, including website updates and re- organization, email campaigns, and social media engagement. Leverage digital channels to reach and engage with new audiences and amplify our messaging.
• Measurement and Evaluation: Establish metrics and KPIs to track the effectiveness of our communications efforts. Monitor and analyze data to continuously optimize strategies and tactics for maximum impact and reach.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in communications, including experience successfully leading and implementing an organization's communications team and strategy
• A C-suite caliber communications leader who is a strategic visionary thinker with a creative mindset, proactive and energized by driving innovation and growth across communications activities
• Recognized for excellence in the public relations and communications field, with a demonstrated ability to build and leverage influential networks
• Willingness and ability to travel (approximately 10-15%) for cross-functional collaboration, network development, and in-person events; routine travel to Washington, D.C.
• Meaningful experience leading high-performing teams, including:
• Developing talent, creating a culture of excellence, and coaching new skillsets needed to achieve ambitious strategic goals
• Demonstrated success in managing and mentoring diverse teams, with a focus on achieving strategic vision through collaborative leadership
• Deep experience with public relations, including:
• Experience increasing and promoting brand visibility and reach to a range of audiences
• Demonstrated success in media relations at the national level, including broad range of media relationships, securing press coverage and managing media inquiries
• Fluency with and enthusiasm for digital marketing tools, AI-assisted communications, CRM platforms, content management systems, and analytics; comfort leveraging technology to drive efficiency without sacrificing quality or human judgment
• Policy communications experience desired, including:
• Communicating research and findings in accessible formats for a broad range of audiences
• Demonstrated success with direct outreach and building trusted relationships with media contacts in policy, economics and financial industries
• Editorial communications skillset, including:
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft and oversee creation of compelling narratives and messages that are engaging, accurate and accessible for diverse audiences
• Excellent quality control and maintainer of high editorial standards across all communications formats and channels
• Commitment to bringing skillset to mission-oriented organization with strong values alignment, including:
• Exceptional collaborator with a high degree of emotional intelligence, maturity, and a commitment to supporting colleagues and advancing shared goals
• Experience convening and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders
• Commitment to enhancing a team culture of inclusion, belonging and equity
• Some understanding of or connection to impact investing, social finance, or related fields highly desirable

Benefits

At Social Finance, we strive to deliver a benefits program that will enhance our overall value proposition to employees. Our current benefit offerings include:

• Comprehensive health care coverage: medical, dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; Employee Healthy Actions programs and more
• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution
• Short-term, long-term and life insurance policies
• Commuter benefits and cell phone reimbursements
• Hybrid work model (in office three days per week, work from home two days per week and on an ad-hoc basis as needed)
• Dedicated budgets for team building and employee recognition
• Annual budget for external professional development opportunities
• Mentorship and onboarding programs
• Collaborative and energizing workspaces in downtown Boston, San Francisco, Austin and Washington, D.C.; New York, NY
• Paid vacation and paid holidays (with 12/24-1/1 off every year)
• Paid parental leave
• A truly stellar team of high performing, values-driven and fun (!) professionals

Salary

Social Finance uses a lockstep compensation model for purposes of equity and transparency - we strive for everyone coming in at a given level to be paid equitably. For this position, and at the Vice President level, the starting base salary is $225,000; however, during the interview process, we will consider a candidate's full work experience and may adjust the job title, and commensurate starting salary, as appropriate. At this level, employees are eligible to participate in our firmwide annual bonus program (bonuses are typically between 5-10%, though bonuses are not guaranteed and are dependent on both organizational and individual performance).

Application

Amy Segelin at Chaloner is managing this search. Review of applications will begin immediately. No phone calls, please. Interested and qualified applicants may apply at Applicants must be permanently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Please note that, at this time, to be in-person at a Social Finance office, client location or Social Finance-sponsored event, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including receiving a booster shot.

Social Finance, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, marital status, citizenship, ancestry, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, military status, status as a protected veteran, genetic information or any other legally protected status.

Social Finance is committed to providing an accessible and supportive work environment to ensure individuals are able to contribute at their best. We will discuss and provide reasonable accommodations to those in the recruiting process who need them.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

When submitting your resume, please submit as a PDF. Thank you!

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