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-byside
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.
• 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
Horizon Foundation Director of Communications Position Description
The 360 Group 6
• 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 background