Housing Trust Silicon Valley

Lead and execute comprehensive communications strategy to elevate organizational brand and mission, managing teams and cross-departmental collaboration. | 7-10 years communications experience with leadership, strong writing and media relations skills, and familiarity with nonprofit or mission-driven sectors. | Housing Trust (HT) is looking for exceptional people who believe that safe, stable affordable housing opens the door to better living for everyone. We embrace diversity. We nurture it and we thrive on it because it benefits our organization, our partners, and our community. We are seeking a mission and results driven individual for an amazing opportunity in our Development and Communications team. Misson and History Housing Trust is leading the effort to create a strong affordable housing market in the greater Bay Area as one of the region’s highest-volume nonprofit housing lenders. Serving people experiencing homelessness to renters to first-time homebuyers, we assist a wide range of residents with programs across the entire spectrum of housing issues. Since 2000, Housing Trust has invested $690 million – creating over 28,700 affordable housing opportunities serving over 53,800 of our neighbors. Housing Trust has led the way in engaging local corporations and foundations in investing hundreds of millions of dollars in working with us to bring more solutions to the market all while experiencing several years of high growth in our lending business. Position Overview The Communications Director will report to the Chief Development and Impact Officer (CDIO) and provide strategic leadership for Housing Trust Silicon Valley’s communications function. The Communications Director will be responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive communications strategy that elevates the organization’s brand, amplifies its mission, and deepens engagement with key stakeholders across the affordable housing ecosystem. This role will lead staff, consultants, and work cross-departmentally to ensure a consistent, compelling organizational voice across all channels and audiences. Key Responsibilities Strategic Communications Leadership (75%) The Communications Director will serve as the strategic architect of Housing Trust’s public presence and voice. This role will set organizational direction for how we show up for our key audiences - policymakers, funders, clients, community partners, and media - and lead the team and systems that bring that vision to life. • Lead the development and execution of Housing Trust’s integrated communications strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational strategic and operational goals • Lead annual communications planning and budgeting, including setting priorities, allocating resources, and measuring progress against goals through regular reporting on reach, engagement, earned media (clip reports), and digital analytics • Serve as a primary communications advisor to executive leadership and the Board, providing strategic counsel on messaging, brand positioning, and public affairs • Set the vision and direction for Housing Trust’s brand identity, ensuring consistency across all internal and external communications • Direct the organization’s storytelling strategy, ensuring that content and narratives distinctly reflect what Housing Trust does, who it serves, and what sets its work apart in the affordable housing landscape • Direct the organization’s media relations and public affairs strategy in partnership with external PR consultants, providing strategic direction, approving messaging, and ensuring media efforts align with organizational goals; serve as organizational spokesperson when appropriate • Oversee the editorial strategy and content calendar across all platforms - digital, print, social media, and earned media - and provide strategic direction for the organization’s web presence and digital communications infrastructure • Direct production of the Annual Report, thought leadership content, and communications materials that reflect and advance the organization’s strategic vision; manage external speaking opportunities and panel placements for Housing Trust leadership to build organizational visibility and influence in the field • Serve as a hands-on content creator and editor, producing and reviewing communications materials across channels to maintain a high standard of quality and voice. • Represent Housing Trust on affordable housing industry communications committees, working groups, and convenings • Support Housing Trust’s engagement in housing policy and advocacy by translating legislative and regulatory developments into clear communications for key audiences, including elected officials and their staff, funders, community partners, and the public • Develop and maintain crisis communications protocols; serve as the primary communications lead for rapid response to reputational, operational, or sector-level issues requiring timely public messaging Team and Department Leadership (15%) • Lead, mentor, and directly supervise the Communications and Development Assistant, while also providing oversight and direction to communications consultants, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous learning • Set performance goals and conduct regular evaluations for direct reports • Oversee the organization’s CRM and contact database strategy, ensuring current, well-managed records for media contacts, partners, funders, and community stakeholders; establish practices and protocols that support effective, coordinated outreach across all audiences Event and Investor Communications (10%) • Provide strategic communications direction for events, including invitations, press kits, and stakeholder announcements • Partner with the Development team to shape messaging for funder outreach and capital raising campaigns • Lead communications around major funding announcements and lending milestones, ensuring timely and impactful outreach to key audiences Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, business, marketing, communications, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred • 7–10 years of progressive communications experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role • Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated communications strategies for a mission-driven or nonprofit organization • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; experienced presenter and organizational spokesperson • Experience directing media relations strategy, including managing external PR consultants or agencies; proven track record in brand management and content strategy • Experience managing and developing staff and cross-functional teams • Familiarity with email marketing platforms, CRM systems, and graphic design tools; comfort learning and adopting new technologies as needed • Experience managing departmental budgets and vendor relationships • Strategic thinker with the ability to translate organizational goals into impactful communications programs • Highly organized, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment • Knowledge of affordable housing, community development finance, or the broader nonprofit lending sector strongly preferred; demonstrated ability to quickly develop subject matter expertise in a mission-driven context Compensation Housing Trust offers a competitive compensation package, including a bonus plan and benefits. This is an exempt, full-time position. Annual salary range for this position is $140,000 – 170,000. Total Compensation and Benefits Our total compensation package includes a comprehensive benefits program designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, including: • Medical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid for employees, with 50% of premiums covered for eligible dependents • Employer-funded 401(k) contribution of 3%, plus an additional employer match of up to 2% • Generous paid time off, including three weeks of vacation, twelve paid sick days, eleven paid holidays, and a paid year-end office shutdown • Eligibility for an annual performance-based bonus • Tuition reimbursement program and additional benefits Housing Trust is an equal opportunity employer to all regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, actual or perceived gender identity, age, or sexual orientation. Housing Trust is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive organization. We are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting diversity in our workforce and leadership to reflect the communities we serve. We believe differences in lived-experiences, cultural backgrounds, and diversity of thought are our strongest assets and contribute to our success.