Job Name:
Communications Officer, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Full Time, Palo Alto, CA
Job Description
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is committed to achieving transformational change in the fields of environmental conservation, science and patient care. This requires effectively reaching and engaging with target audiences including grantees and potential grantees, other donors and the field of philanthropy, issue and policy leaders and other decision makers. The foundation is also committed to helping its grantees and other partners create and implement effective communications strategies.
Reporting to the Communications Director, the new Communications Officer will spend the majority of their time devoted to supporting the foundation’s Science Program, with a smaller portion of time supporting foundation-wide communications activities. The foundation’s Science Program seeks to make a significant impact on the development of provocative, transformative scientific research, and increase knowledge in emerging fields by investing in the work of researchers and organizations at the frontiers of science.
Responsibilities
- Provide communications expertise and guidance to the Science Program team to help improve the effectiveness of the Program’s communication, advocacy, thought leadership and network-building activities
- Work as a flexible and adaptable partner with the Science Program team to help develop and refine a communication strategy that also complements broader foundation communication strategies
- Develop or update the overall program narrative and prepare talking points, FAQs and other written materials based on that narrative
- Develop strategies for issue-focused campaigns, audience engagement and training/capacity building
- Deliver training, coaching and other capacity-building support for staff and grantees
- Develop/guide the development of special events, toolkits, visual or written content and other materials
- Participate in program team meetings, develop related content, support communications work with program grantees and prioritize opportunities
- Identify and facilitate additional communications support for the program when needed, whether from additional internal staff, contractors or other partners
- Support work for the overall foundation brand and the communications plan that brings that to life
- Provide specific support for either internal communications efforts or social media strategies for the foundation overall
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as a scientific domain, journalism, public relations or political science
- Deep experience with science-related topics, including extensive experience in communicating scientific information to highly diverse audiences, including both technical and non-technical groups, including government representatives and lay people
- At least ten years of experience with issue-focused communications, including brand and communications planning, message development, speech writing/presentation development, training/facilitation, media relations, social media, event planning and other communications abilities
- Experience with both internal and external communications work
- Experience with international/multi-national communications
- Proven research skills
- Demonstrated writing skills
- Ability to use Word, PowerPoint, Excel and other such software
- Understanding of communications industry and evolving trends
Required Skills
The ideal candidate will have the following:
- Writing skills to employ on science-related topics in:
- Communications plans and messages
- Presentations and speeches
- Collateral materials, including reports, brochures or backgrounder documents
- News media materials, including advisories, releases and supporting documents
- Social media platforms
- Internal communications, including messages and basic office correspondence
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
- Project management background including:
- Work plan development and tracking
- Task and team-member management
- Problem-solving skills and solutions orientation
- Customer service competencies, including:
- Highly developed listening skills
- Responsiveness
- Supportive work
- Focus on quality deliverables:
- Proofreading/copyediting skills
- Timely work effort
- Demonstrated ability to work well in diverse teams including multi-organizational teams
- Respect for confidentiality
- Highly collaborative nature, with both internal and external groups
- Enthusiastic, proactive and highly adaptable individual
Desired Behavioral Characteristics
The following behaviors are the hallmarks of our culture and characterize how we strive to do our work with each other and our partners:
- Practice courageous conversations
- Build trusted relationships
- Move with speed
- Build high-performing teams
- Focus on what matters
- Take smart risks
- Plan outcomes, learn and adapt
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation includes a competitive base salary and an excellent package of health, retirement savings and other benefits.
Application Process
To apply, please visit our careers page at http://www.moore.org/about/careers to submit your cover letter, resume and application. Applicants should also include three writing samples as part of their resume. At least one writing sample should showcase strategic planning ability.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All correspondence will remain confidential.
