Director of Communications

The Children’s Inn at NIH operates at the intersection of family support, pediatric clinical research, and medical discovery. The Inn provides a free “Place Like Home” for families with children, teens, and young adults participating in clinical research at the National Institutes of Health, offering stability and comfort during extended treatment, and is seen as a vital partner to NIH.

Philanthropic support makes this work possible, placing communications and storytelling at the center of The Inn’s future. As Director of Communications, you will play a central role in shaping how The Inn’s mission, impact, and partnership with NIH are understood and valued.

In this role, you will help set and lead the execution of an integrated communications strategy focused on growing fundraising revenue, deepening donor engagement, and increasing national visibility. This requires a dual narrative focus: sharing the lived experiences of children and families who stay at The Inn, while also showing how The Inn’s partnership with NIH advances scientific discovery and improves public health outcomes.

Drawing on audience data and strong editorial judgment, you will translate these stories into high‑impact fundraising campaigns, earned media, and executive messaging.

Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy and Communications Officer, you will lead a two‑person communications team and manage external partners across digital, direct mail, and web. You will strengthen content quality, consistency, and workflows to build a cohesive and effective communications function. Working across the organization, you will advise senior leaders, including the CEO, and ensure staff have the tools and guidance needed to communicate The Inn’s story effectively.

Your work will span moments both visible and behind the scenes, from preparing leaders for national media to supporting fundraising campaigns, events, and day‑to‑day engagement with donors and partners.

This role is well‑suited for a communications leader who understands how storytelling fuels growth and impact, and who is comfortable operating as both a strategic advisor and a hands‑on partner across teams.

Success in your first 1–2 years will be demonstrated by:

• Increasing fundraising revenue through communications strategy and campaign execution, evidenced by metrics tied to donor acquisition, retention, and conversion.
• Improving the performance of integrated fundraising campaigns across direct mail, email, website, social media, and digital channels, ensuring every touchpoint is coordinated for maximum reach and impact.
• Developing a storytelling pipeline that elevates both family impact and NIH‑related medical advancement stories, expands earned media opportunities, and gives fundraising teams compelling content to engage diverse donor segments.
• Serving as a strategic communications advisor to the CEO and leadership team, guiding media priorities, preparing leaders with messaging for engagement opportunities, and personally communicating The Inn’s impact at events and other external‑facing opportunities.
• Building a more effective communications function by coaching and developing the team, setting clear performance expectations, and providing opportunities for professional development and leadership growth.

• This position offers a flexible hybrid schedule, with three days each week at The Inn in Bethesda, MD. Regular on‑site presence to connect with the families, programs, and colleagues at the heart of our mission is essential to authentic storytelling and collaboration.

• The budgeted salary range for this position is $130K - $145K with an outstanding benefits package that includes 20 days of vacation leave; personal, sick, and volunteer leave; 11 paid company holidays; medical, dental, and vision coverage with an FSA option; life and AD&D insurance; long- and short‑term disability insurance; a 401(k) with a Safe Harbor contribution, discretionary match, and discretionary profit‑sharing contribution;

tuition reimbursement; and a home office stipend.

• You will be joining a high‑energy, collegial, mission‑driven team…