Senior Communications Officer

The California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness) seeks a skillful, creative, and strategic communications professional to serve as a Senior Communications Officer focused on proactively elevating the voice of the Foundation and its partners to expand visibility, influence, engagement, and impact. This role requires the skills and experience to develop, execute, and manage strategic communications across a full range of tools and tactics that advance the mission of the Foundation. The Senior Communications Officer will report directly to the Director of Communications and serve on the strategic communications team. They will be part of the Programs & Public Affairs Department, which integrates communications, government relations, community engagement, and grantmaking. The ideal Senior Communications Officer will bring a breadth of relevant experience and skills inclusive of writing, digital and social media, and storytelling through photos and videos; deep commitment to the mission; and a spirit of inquiry and positivity which allows them to contribute and thrive through moments of growth and transition.

THE CALIFORNIA WELLNESS FOUNDATION

Cal Wellness is a private, independent foundation established in 1992 with a mission to protect and improve the health and wellness of the people of California. As one of the largest health-focused foundations in California, with over $1 billion in assets, Cal Wellness is a nationally recognized leader for its strategic core operating support for grantees; public policy grantmaking; and a focus on violence as a public health issue.

The Foundation’s current Advancing Wellness grantmaking strategy includes four interrelated portfolios. Since its founding, Cal Wellness has awarded nearly 12,400 grants totaling more than $1.3 billion. In addition to its grantmaking, the Foundation has committed to using its voice, influence, and endowment dollars to advance its mission.

Cal Wellness has a diverse staff of approximately 50 people located in its Los Angeles and Oakland offices and a diverse 13-member Board located throughout the state of California. The Foundation’s work underscores a belief that wellness requires social justice, a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and sustained efforts to eliminate systemic barriers that prevent access to health care, education, employment, and safety.

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THE OPPORTUNITY

Cal Wellness is entering an exciting period of transformation as we are preparing to operate under a new strategic framework in 2026. As we continue to push the boundaries of traditional philanthropy, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing racial and social justice and improving health and wellness across California. The Senior Communications Officer will play a pivotal role in amplifying this work—crafting strategic narratives; elevating our voice and influence; and collaborating across the organization to shape communications for both transitioning and emerging program areas. This leader will also partner closely with executive leadership to develop compelling messaging and prepare for high impact speaking opportunities while collaborating with the communications team to support and strengthen our social media presence in ways that clearly communicate our vision, strategy, and impact.

The ideal candidate is committed to the mission, values-aligned, and social justice-oriented; is able to work effectively in both a highly collaborative environment as well as autonomously as a self-starter; possesses superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; has the ability to anticipate needs and adapt and respond thoughtfully to emerging issues; and has honed the advanced organizational and prioritization skills needed to work quickly within a dynamic team.

THE PROGRAMS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

The Programs & Public Affairs Department integrates grantmaking, communications, government relations and public policy, and community engagement with guidance from the Chief Strategy Officer and in close collaboration with department colleagues and other Cal Wellness departments. We direct the Foundation’s grant funding and serve as strategic partners to amplify stories and develop proactive communication campaigns, thoughtfully engage government to build relationships and influence public policy, and support meaningful direct engagement of the communities that Cal Wellness serves. Our work happens in collaboration with fellow philanthropic organizations, in places where policies are made and considered, and in the community. Listening and learning from California’s diverse communities to both understand and be responsive to their needs, aspirations, and challenges is a core cross-cutting value at Cal Wellness.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Success in this role includes the following :

Strategic communications leadership :

Serves as strategic communications lead for existing and developing key program areas and portfolios, providing advice on audience targets, communication strategies, and communications grantmaking. Manages expectations and resources to ensure goals are aligned with the departmental strategies and the Foundation priorities.

Messaging and narrative development :

Able to synthesize complex issues and identify compelling central ideas to shape messages, stories, and narratives to advance health and racial justice. In collaboration with program staff, plays lead role in developing core messaging for the Foundation’s grantmaking and strategic priorities.

Writing and editing :

Exceptional writer playing a lead role in crafting external communications including blog posts, talking points, op-eds, speeches, and presentations. In collaboration with the Director of Communications, Director of Government Relations, grantmakers and other colleagues, increase the Foundation’s capacity to respond rapidly in key moments on priority issues by recommending when / how / if the Foundation should use its voice. Supervises consultants and contract writers.

Campaign strategy

Working closely with the Director of Communications, plays a lead role in developing effective campaigns and other sustained communications strategies with target audiences, clear goals, and measurable outcomes.

Amplification expert :

Applies extensive knowledge of California media landscape to Identify ideas and stories for paid media and earned media outreach including news coverage and op-eds. Knowledgeable about a range of strategies to drive growth, engagement, and impact. Works closely with the digital communications lead to shape messaging and content for the Foundation’s social and digital media channels.

Collaboration and relationship-building :

Cultivates strong and trusting relationships with colleagues to develop a deep understanding of Foundation priorities and strategies. Able to collaborative effectively with grantee partners and identify opportunities to work collaboratively on communications strategies and projects.

Capacity-building :

Work with grantmakers and other colleagues to strengthen their communications capacity, advise on narrative strategy, and ability to serve as key Cal Wellness spokespeople by providing prep and support for interviews, speaking engagements, and developing tools to build capacity.

Project Management :

Work closely with the Communications Coordinator to provide ongoing project management and timely execution of all deliverables. Identify and manage relationships with consultants in close collaboration with grantmakers to ensure deliverables are achieved on time and within budget.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The Senior Communications Officer position requires deep proficiency and experience in a broad range of strategic communications, media relations, and the full range of communications tools and tactics.

REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS, AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE :

Significant experience, ideally 10 or more years, leading the development and implementation of social justice communications and campaign strategies across relevant fields which may include but not be limited to philanthropy, nonprofits, journalism, and / or the private sector.

Excellent analytic abilities and critical thinking skills, especially the ability to synthesize complex issues in clear and compelling ways.

Superior writing and editing skills.

Working knowledge of top social media platforms, metrics, and effective content strategies.

Working knowledge of video production, including storyboarding and scriptwriting.

Media relations experience and savvy; existing relationships with California journalists are a plus.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a diverse population : collegial, energetic, and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, grantee partners, and consultants.

Highly organized, creative, and flexible, with strong project-, people-, and time-management skills; demonstrated ability to think independently and juggle multiple priorities.

Demonstrated efficiency, effectiveness, accuracy, careful attention to detail, and quick turnaround.

Ability to proactively solve problems and identify and implement effective solutions, even when there is a lack of clear process or standards.

Interest and ability to quickly learn the operations of the Programs and Public Affairs Department at a philanthropic organization.

CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will embody Cal Wellness’ core competencies :

Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Communication

Innovation

Leadership

Teamwork and Collaboration

LOCATION & TRAVEL

This position is based at either our Oakland (preferred) or Los Angeles office and is expected to have a periodic presence in both offices. Cal Wellness operates with a hybrid work model that includes both in-office and remote work. In-office attendance will typically be required Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with occasional in-person meetings or gatherings scheduled on other weekdays as needed. Travel is estimated at up to 20% to engage with the team and have a periodic presence at our Oakland office and to attend meetings and convenings across the state.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The target starting salary for the newly hired Senior Communications Officer is

162,000-$167,000

per year. The full salary range for the role is $140,000-$210,000 per year.

Highlights from our benefits package include : a variety of medical, dental, and vision plans; a generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a 16% employer contribution; flexible paid time off; tuition reimbursement; professional development opportunities; 3 : 1 matching gifts; and the opportunity to work at a mission- and values-driven organization.

TO APPLY

The California Wellness Foundation is pleased to partner with Walker & Associates Consulting – an Oakland-based, Black- and woman-owned strategic management consulting and executive search firm promoting equitable community impact - for this search.

Please apply here and upload a cover letter and resume by Friday, January 23, 2026. Your cover letter should creatively and concisely provide an overview of who you are; what draws you to and has prepared you for this role; and what you most hope to contribute and learn in this position. Resume review begins immediately. Candidates selected for advancement will be asked to participate in several interviews and a writing assignment across January and February of 2026. If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in our application process, please let us know. We anticipate the selected candidate will start in Spring 2026.

Questions or nominations? Email the search team at calwellness@walkeraac.com.

The California Wellness Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse candidate pool.

Additionally, we are a fair chance employer and welcome candidates with lived experience with the criminal justice system.

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to limit the scope of potential work assignments. This is only a summary of the typical functions of the job and duties may differ from those as outlined above.

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