Director of Communications

WHO WE ARE

The Road Home was founded in 1923 and has been a leader in ending homelessness for over 100 years. We provide emergency shelters, supportive services, and housing-focused-minded rental assistance that helps individuals and families step out of homelessness and back into the community. We are seeking compassionate and empathetic individuals who are interested in making a difference in the lives of others and their communities.

The Road Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our mission to help people experiencing homelessness is strengthened by a highly qualified team with a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique strengths.

We welcome applicants from all walks of life who share our passion for ending homelessness, collaboration, and compassion. Together, we can create a supportive environment where every voice is heard, and every person has the opportunity to succeed.

BENEFIT SUMMARY

The Road Home is a 501c3 non-profit social services agency whose mission is to help people step out of homelessness and back into our community.
Come be part of the solution.
We have a robust, reasonably-priced, and inclusive benefits plan for full and part-time employees (25-40 hours/week)

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• HSA, FSA, HRA (We reimburse part of your deductible!)
• Retirement Plan (403B with TRH contribution and match)
• FREE Life Insurance for employees
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & 12 Public Holidays)
• One Floating Holiday Per Year
• Free Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free Training & Development
• Tuition Assistance for a wide variety of classes!
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying agency

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Communications serves as a strategic leader responsible for shaping and amplifying the organization’s voice to advance its mission and impact. This role serves as the agency’s chief storyteller and brand steward overseeing both internal and external communications, ensuring that messaging is consistent, inclusive, and aligned with organizational values. The Director’s focus will be communication strategies that engage key partners and the broader community; strengthen brand identity; and support advocacy, fundraising and program initiatives. This position leads our agency storytelling, media relations and crisis management plan. The ideal candidate works with a steady and guiding hand through times of crisis and change with a steadfast eye on our strategic goals. They care deeply about our mission and value relationships and build trust among our team members and partners. They excel at turning complex policy, data and public perceptions into accessible narratives and center dignity, facts and solutions. The Director will work closely with the CEO and leadership team and the Board of Directors and closely track the effectiveness of our communications, seek feedback and make nimble and timely adjustments.

*Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
*Must pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening. 

*There may be flexibility for occasional remote work with work plan approval from the CEO.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Communications & Brand Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with organizational strategic plan and annual goals.

• Update and steward The Road Home’s brand, ensuring consistency across programs, locations, and platforms.

• Lead organization wide messaging including shelter resource center and housing programs and outcomes, partnerships, policy issues, and system wide collaboration.

• Provide strategic counsel to leadership during emerging issues or sensitive topics.

• Build messaging frameworks and strategic collaterals that reflect the organization’s mission and elevate public understanding of homelessness.

• Translate complex policy, public health, and housing information into clear, accessible narratives for diverse audiences.

Media Relations & Public Affairs:

• Build strong relationships with local and national media, serving as a spokesperson as needed.

• Coordinate crisis communications, ensure message alignment, and prepare leadership for interviews and public briefings.

• Create proactive media pitches that highlight successful housing stories, innovations, and community impact.

• Manage high visibility media moments with professionalism and accuracy, including politically sensitive or time critical situations.

• Develop op-eds, press materials, talking points, and executive communications for organizational leadership and key partners.

Storytelling:

• Develop multimedia storytelling that humanizes homelessness and highlights The Road Home’s efforts.

• Works with data and impact team to develop a consistent review and analysis of program data to be used in storytelling.

• Produce reports, annual impact statements, printed collateral, and community presentations.

• Collaborate with the development team on digital communications, including website, digital and social media content as well as bring our communications strategy into a variety of creative productions to deliver cohesive and compelling content across platforms.

• Coordinate with the events team for photography, videography, and media coverage for events to maximize visibility and engagement.

Internal Communications & Culture:

• Actively engage with team members across our programs to discover and highlight impactful stories.

• Create internal communications systems that support transparency, staff morale, and information sharing.

• Partner with program leads to ensure staff have clear, consistent messaging about organizational initiatives and public facing information.

• Strengthen internal alignment through newsletters, staff updates, and employee facing content that supports culture and mission connection.

Partnerships & Community Engagement:

• Support the development team with messaging for donor engagement, events, and campaigns.

• Collaborate closely with government agencies, service providers, philanthropic partners, board members, and neighborhood groups.

• Build trust with community stakeholders by providing clear, empathetic communication about organizational initiatives and system wide efforts.

Team Leadership:

• Establish and maintain policies and guidelines for consistent, ethical, and inclusive communication that reflects the organization’s identity and commitment to its mission

• Manage and mentor communications team members, contractors, and creative partners.

• Develop budgets, work plans, and performance metrics that reflect organizational priorities.

• Foster a collaborative, high performing team environment focused on clarity, creativity, and mission impact.

Other:

• Performs other related duties as assigned to advance the mission and strategic goals of the organization.

• Attend mandatory agency trainings, including Trauma-Informed Care, Housing Focused, De-escalation, Suicide Prevention, CPR, and more.

• Participate in emergency drills and environmental safety activities, as required.

• Follow all agency protocols for security, safety, and sanitation to maintain a clean and secure environment for guests and staff.

• Maintain regular and reliable attendance as an essential function of this position.

*Reasonable accommodations may be considered to enable all individuals to perform these essential functions, so please still apply.

PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE

• Actively engage with and honor the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences of all individuals we serve.

• Advance the agency’s commitment to honoring diverse ethnic and cultural heritages through daily actions that foster genuine belonging.

• Implement Housing Focused principles, risk management strategies, and high-access services as foundational to our mission.

• Maintain healthy boundaries using trauma-informed approaches in all interactions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors degree in communications required; Masters degree is advantageous.

• At least 8 years of progressive experience in communications field required.

• Experience building relationships with media outlets, securing coverage, and serving as a spokesperson in diverse settings.

• Experience developing executive level messaging including speeches, talking points, policy briefs and public statements.

• Proven ability to lead during high pressure or stakeholder sensitive situations.

• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills.

• Supervisory experience preferred.

• Experience working with diverse and/or vulnerable populations is preferred.

SKILLS AND EXPECTATIONS

1. Ability to develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies aligned with mission, fundraising, and advocacy goals.

1. Strong writing and editing skills for press releases, newsletters, blogs, and donor communications.

1. Skilled at crafting compelling narratives that highlight organizational impact and inspire donor and volunteer engagement.

1. Proficient in managing multi-channel campaigns, including social media, email marketing, and website content.

1. Ability to lead a communications team, collaborate with program staff, and manage external vendors or consultants.

1. Understanding of how communications drive donor engagement, advocacy campaigns, and community partnerships.

1. Familiarity with analytics tools to measure campaign effectiveness and adjust strategies for maximum impact.

1. Ability to adapt and respond to difficult questions and issues.

1. Ability to create, implement, and apply a budget.

1. Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and desktop publishing software.

PHYSICAL AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, working at a computer

• Ability to lift and move up to 15 pounds

• Ability to sit, stand, and move for at least an hour at a time or more.