Director of Communications

The Horizon Foundation envisions a Howard County free from systemic inequities,

where all people can live abundant and healthy lives. The Foundation fights for

equitable and compassionate physical and mental health care; access to affordable

and safe homes; communities where healthy food is accessible and affordable; and

where all residents are able to generate and pass down wealth.

As the largest independent health foundation in Maryland, Horizon works side-by side

with communities to build power, advocate for policy change, and dismantle

structural racism to achieve better health for everyone in Howard County and

greater Maryland. The Foundation does this through innovative initiatives,

collaborative partnerships, strategic grantmaking, and thoughtful advocacy.

Horizon’s values guide the ways it aspires to operate, and provide ways for the

community to hold the Foundation accountable.

The Foundation Promises To Be

• IMPACTFUL
  
  

To act with intentionality and draw upon lived experience, research, and data

to drive positive health outcomes in the community.

• TRUSTWORTHY
  
  

To earn trust by building relationships through sincerity and vulnerability.

• COURAGEOUS
  
  

To acknowledge and use the Foundation’s privilege to influence others,

dispel harmful narratives and demand change.

• ANTI-RACIST
  
  

To challenge and transform policies, behaviors and beliefs that perpetuate

systemic racism and other intersecting forms of oppression.

Horizon Foundation Director of Communications Position Description

• CATALYTIC
  
  

To build and share power to foster coalitions that advance health equity.

Howard County is known for its forward-thinking approach to creating high quality

of life for its residents, serving as a national example of how people of diverse

backgrounds can create a thriving community. Howard County is also one of the

nation’s wealthiest, most educated, and healthiest counties thanks, in part, to the

work of the Foundation and its impact over the past 27 years. However, Howard

County still faces very serious physical and mental health challenges and

disparities, particularly for people of color. The work of the Horizon Foundation is

more important than ever because it focuses on people who have been most

marginalized and oppressed, in the aim to, ultimately, advance better health for all.

Learn more about the Horizon Foundation at

https://www.thehorizonfoundation.org/

Position Responsibilities

The Horizon Foundation seeks a dynamic and courageous Director of

Communications who is capable of focusing Marylanders on public health for

everyone and catalyzing systemic change in the face of ongoing health disparities.

The Director of Communications will develop and implement communications

strategies to amplify the Foundation’s new strategic plan and to inspire others to

join the Foundation's work. The Director will be a key member of the Foundation’s

executive team, managing a direct report as well as external consultants. The

Foundation seeks an innovative Director who has deep experience in strategic

communications, a proven ability to elevate the profile of an organization and

communicate thoughtfully on sensitive topics to different audiences, and a deep

commitment to the work of the Foundation.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Director of Communications will be a

thought partner to the Executive Team and contribute creative, dynamic, and

forward-thinking communications strategy to promote the fulfillment of the

Horizon Foundation's vision and mission. The Director will enhance and develop a

robust, multi-channel communications program, directly managing activities that

strengthen the Foundation’s position as a leader in accelerating equity-centered

community health solutions.

More Specifically, The Director Of Communications Will

Communications Strategy

• Develop and manage communications strategy for the organization; serve as
  
  

the steward of the Horizon Foundation’s brand and voice

• Leverage the Foundation’s positioning and amplify its brand through the
  
  

development and execution of communications strategy and messaging that

promotes the Foundation as a consistent leader in racial justice and public

health innovation in Howard County, Maryland, and the nation

• Develop a social marketing and media strategy to promote the Foundation’s
  
  

programs, advocacy agenda, and brand in coordination with program staff

and outside consultants

• Develop and maintain relationships with state and local media outlets,
  
  

prepare key spokespeople for media engagement, and monitor and secure

media placements

• Promote the Foundation in local and national press by identifying
  
  

newsworthy stories and pitching ideas to the appropriate media

• Expand the Foundation’s reach and influence among diverse stakeholder
  
  

groups by using creative imagery and storytelling through various platforms

• Oversee and maintain integrated communications and marketing products
  
  

including digital and print materials, social media channels, blogs,

newsletters, website, reports, press releases, advertising, and collateral

material to maximize impact

• Consistently use communications strategies to uplift racial justice, power
  
  

building, and the need for systemic change

• Provide writing and editorial support and communications expertise
  
  

throughout the organization

• Develop, implement, and continuously assess a comprehensive, integrated
  
  

strategic communications program that will leverage media and public

relations to elevate the Foundation’s profile

External Leadership and Vision

• Support the management of relationships with policymakers and elected
  
  

officials, grantees and partners, health and social justice organizations, local

and national foundations, and key community advocates; cultivate and

enhance those relationships through communications strategy and

execution

• Help shape and execute public policy communications and advocacy
  
  

campaigns at the local and state levels

• Partner with local, regional, and national organizations to amplify
  
  

communications efforts

• Build and maintain strong media relationships to improve breadth and depth
  
  

of media coverage about the work and impact of the Foundation and its

partners

• Serve as an ambassador for the Foundation at community, media, and
  
  

partnership events, which will include nights and weekends

• Create communication tools and a common language to help communities
  
  

address systemic health issues

Organizational Leadership

• Serve on the senior executive team as a thought partner while supporting
  
  

the development and execution of Foundation-wide work

• Actively enhance the Foundation’s focus on racial justice by designing
  
  

communications strategies that further the Foundation’s strategic plan

• Work in collaboration with others, identifying new and innovative
  
  

opportunities to showcase the work and leadership of the Foundation and its

grantees and partners

• Develop and track metrics to assess effectiveness and impact of
  
  

communications initiatives and report on success

• Manage the communications budget and allocation of resources to meet
  
  

communications goals

• Manage, mentor, and develop staff, enabling the team to embrace and
  
  

support the Foundation’s values

• Oversee projects working collaboratively across departments, building trust
  
  

and teamwork across the Foundation

• Oversee contracts with outside consultants including creative,
  
  

marketing/PR, and media firms

• Embody the Foundation's values of being impactful, trustworthy, anti-racist,
  
  

catalytic, and courageous

• Ensure the quality and professionalism of all Foundation communications
  
  

collateral

Profile of the Successful Candidate

The Director of Communications will have a proven track record in the

development and implementation of integrated strategic communications

programs, digital marketing, branding, social media, message framing, and

positioning on a local or national scale. The successful candidate will be creative

and entrepreneurial, with the ability to deliver innovative communications ideas

and solutions to different audiences and in different contexts. They will value and

strive to demonstrate the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Director of

Communications will be a strategic thinker that knows how to work across the

organization and tie communications to the organization’s mission. The new

Director will be skilled at navigating complex conversations with diplomacy. Finally,

the values-driven leader will have a deep commitment to equity, a dedication to

improving public health and wellness, and a passion for advancing racial justice.

They will deeply care about outcomes and the diverse communities that the

Foundation serves.

More specifically, the Horizon Foundation seeks a professional who has:

• 10+ years of experience in communications for social change with a
  
  

demonstrated record of success

• Experience in philanthropy (preferred) or a strong understanding of how the
  
  

philanthropic ecosystem functions

• Master’s degree in communications or related field or equivalent professional
  
  

Experience

• Proven ability to influence and engage leaders, trustees, peers, and direct
  
  

reports

• Experience using media to advance policies and programs at the local and
  
  

state level

• Experience in reaching and engaging with diverse residents and
  
  

communities

• Demonstrated experience leading and managing comprehensive strategic
  
  

communications, including media relations and marketing and advocacy

campaigns that promote an organization’s vision, mission and values

• Experience developing effective communications strategy around narrative
  
  

change

• Flexible and collaborative management style, with demonstrated experience
  
  

managing a communications team

• Energetic leadership style with the ability to position communications
  
  

discussions at both strategic and tactical levels

• Proven experience developing messaging for different audiences that is both
  
  

effective and impactful in advancing goals

• Creative thinker and self-starter who can conceptualize and deliver on ideas
  
  

in fast-paced environments

• Strong knowledge of public policy process and state and local political
  
  

environment

• Proven ability to make decisions in a dynamic environment, with an
  
  

appreciation for how future needs may affect those decisions

• Experience working with broadcast, print, and digital media outlets and
  
  

reporters

• Expertise in overseeing and managing digital assets and in producing
  
  

marketing materials, newsletters, press releases, and the like

• Excellent oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills with an ability to
  
  

engage, inform, influence, and persuade in a range of formats and platforms

• Willingness to iterate a strategy and approach, with the ability to recognize
  
  

the need to course-correct as necessary

• Excellent listening skills, combined with a balanced problem-solving
  
  

approach

• Outstanding writing and editing skills, with an ability to create compelling
  
  

and persuasive narratives

• Fluency with current and emerging communication technologies
• Ability to work both in-office and remotely, as well as some nights and
  
  

weekends

Start Timeframe

We seek to have someone in place by late spring 2026.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is between $140,000-$150,000 per year

depending on experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package. We

actively welcome all candidates from a wide range of backgrounds who have the

Skills To Fulfill This Role – Regardless Of Compensation History.

To Apply

All applications are held in strict confidence. Please submit your credentials and a

letter of interest through our private applicant portal to The 360 Group at:

https://the360group.us/portal/

Applications should be directed to the attention of Maureen Capitolo, Principal or

Monica Rodgers, Senior Consultant. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Earlier applicants may receive priority consideration. To be considered, The 360

Group encourages all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly,

via the confidential applicant portal linked above.