Senior Communications Officer

Senior Communications Officer

The California Wellness Foundation seeks a skillful, creative, and strategic communications professional to serve as Senior Communications Officer focused on proactively elevating the voice of the Foundation and its partners to expand visibility, influence, engagement, and impact.

Reporting directly to the Director of Communications, you will be part of the Programs & Public Affairs Department which integrates communications, government relations, community engagement, and grantmaking. Your role will involve the development, execution, and management of strategic communications across a full range of tools and tactics that advance the mission.

• Serve as strategic communications lead for existing and developing key program areas and portfolios, advising on audience targets and communication strategies.
• Synthesize complex issues and develop compelling core messaging to advance health and racial justice.
• Craft external communications including blog posts, talking points, op‑eds, speeches, and presentations; supervise consultants and contract writers.
• Co‑develop effective campaigns and sustained communications strategies with measurable outcomes.
• Leverage knowledge of California media to identify paid and earned media opportunities; shape social and digital media messaging.
• Cultivate relationships with colleagues, grantee partners, and media contacts, identifying collaborative communication opportunities.
• Build capacity for grantmakers and other colleagues, providing prep for interviews and speaking engagements.
• Work with Communications Coordinator to manage project schedules, deliverables, and consultants.

• 10+ years of experience leading social justice communications and campaign strategies in sectors such as philanthropy, nonprofits, journalism, or private sector.
• Strong analytic, critical thinking, and synthesis skills.
• Exceptional writing and editing abilities.
• Working knowledge of top social media platforms, metrics, and content strategies.
• Experience in video production, including storyboarding and scriptwriting.
• Media relations experience with existing California journalist contacts is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build relationships with diverse populations.
• Highly organized, creative, and flexible with strong project, people, and time‑management skills.
• Proactive problem‑solving and implementation of effective solutions.
• Rapid learning of the Programs and Public Affairs Department operations.

• Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Communication
• Innovation
• Leadership
• Teamwork and Collaboration

The position is based at the Oakland (preferred) or Los Angeles office, requiring periodic presence at both offices. In‑office attendance is typically required Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with occasional meetings on other weekdays. Travel up to 20% is expected.

Target starting salary: $162,000–$167,000 per year. Full salary range: $140,000–$210,000 per year.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision plans; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with 16% employer contribution; flexible paid time off; tuition reimbursement; professional development opportunities; 3:1 matching gifts; and the opportunity to work at a mission‑driven organization.

Submit a cover letter and resume by Friday, January 23, 2026. The cover letter should describe who you are, why you are drawn to this role, and what you hope to contribute.

Resume review begins immediately. Selected candidates will participate in several interviews and a writing assignment across January and February 2026. If you require reasonable accommodation, please let us know.

For questions or nominations, email the search team at

The California Wellness Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse candidate pool. Additionally, we are a fair chance employer and welcome applicants with lived experience with the criminal justice system.

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to limit the scope of potential work assignments. This is only a summary of the typical functions of the job and duties may differ from those as outlined above.