Senior Director, Communications & Media at Pivotal Ventures

Kirkland, Washington, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

01 Jan, 26

Salary

286311.0

Posted On

03 Oct, 25

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Media Relations, Communications, Crisis Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Leadership, Strategic Planning, Public Affairs, Digital Strategy, Messaging, Narrative Development, Risk Mitigation, Coaching, Relationship Building, Inclusivity, Collaboration, Negotiation

Industry

Civic and Social Organizations

Description

COMPANY OVERVIEW Founded in 2015 by Melinda French Gates, Pivotal expands opportunity and equality for all people through high-impact investments, philanthropy, and advocacy. We accelerate social progress by removing barriers that hold people back. Our impatience with the status quo is fueled by an optimism that progress is always possible. Inspired by our founder, we reach across communities and sectors to bring together changemakers who can scale up proven ideas and catalyze new ones. We learn from their experiences, amplify their resources, then step back so they can lead. We strive to be creative and innovative in our work and flexible in the approach we take to solving problems. ROLE DESCRIPTION The Senior Director, Communications & Media works across multiple entities within the Pivotal ecosystem and is an integral member of the Communications & Public Affairs team. This individual plays a crucial role helping to shape and implement multiple facets of the Principal’s voice, profile and communications activities. This role is responsible for select communications strategies and the reputation risk and crisis management for the Pivotal ecosystem. This role also shapes media strategies for the Principal and creates a broader media strategy on how we tell the story of Pivotal. This individual works closely and collaboratively with internal partners within the Pivotal ecosystem and a diverse range of external collaborators (partners, consultants, contractors, agencies and support organizations) to magnify the Principal’s voice and brand and to drive awareness and influence for Pivotal’s key issues. This position partners closely with the Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs to cultivate a strong, direct and trusted consultative relationship with the Principal, advising on communications, media relations, messaging and staffing for a diverse set of communications engagements. This is a Limited-Term Employee (LTE) position and is expected to have a duration of 3 years. ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Media & Communications Leadership Implement the strategic direction set by the Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs to elevate the Principal’s profile, coordinating across Digital, Writing, and Creative Studio teams. Develop and lead comprehensive communications strategies that define the Principal’s narrative, messages, audiences, and tone. Design and implement a proactive media strategy for the Principal’s public presence. Lead media strategy for broader Pivotal storytelling, not tied to program priorities or events. Ensure effectiveness of tailored Next Gen communications strategies, including narrative, media relations, digital channel applications, and staffing. Supervise the development of media strategies that amplify Pivotal’s key issue areas. Craft messaging for media interviews—personal, political, and organizational—and provide guidance to spokespeople. Partner with the writing team to shape narrative, op-eds, and speeches, and play a lead role in preparing the Principal for engagements. Manage risk mitigation and crisis response communications for the Principal and Pivotal’s ecosystem, while applying emerging platforms, news moments, and analytics. Principal Media Engagement & Representation Serve as a trusted communications adviser to the Principal, offering real-time guidance on communications and policy. Coach, staff, and manage the Principal’s high-profile media engagements. Serve as spokesperson for the Principal and Pivotal, as needed. Travel domestically and internationally to manage and support the Principal’s media opportunities and engagements. Stakeholder & Media Relations Build and maintain relationships with premier journalists to amplify the Principal’s voice and strengthen Pivotal’s brand. Manage key external relationships and contractors, as needed. Key decision maker and/or lead major projects as they emerge. Partner with Senior Director, Impact Communications and Director, Strategic Communications to align editorial calendars and media strategy. Manage external agencies and their contributions to media work. Team Leadership & Management Oversee, train, and mentor direct report(s), providing direction through clear expectations and regularly conducting check-ins and providing performance feedback while supporting individual development. Interview, hire and onboard new team members. Coach team members who support the Principal’s engagements. Foster a culture of inclusivity and accountability across the Communications & Public Affairs team and its partners. Manage the media team budget. Serve as a leader on the Communications & Public Affairs team, collaborating on strategy to elevate the Principal’s leadership and voice. Champion strategic prioritization in daily editorial and communications work. Continually adapt the team’s role and structure to meet the needs of an evolving organization. Demonstrate flexibility and adapt responsibilities as strategies evolve. Represent the Communications & Public Affairs team and act as proxy for the Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs, as needed. Perform other job-related duties as assigned. CORE COMPETENCIES To perform this role successfully, individuals must demonstrate the skills and behaviors aligned with our Pivotal Principles that define what success looks like across all roles. These competencies reflect the expectations for how we work together, lead, grow, and deliver impact for all employees regardless of function or level. Build and Maintain Trust Act with integrity and foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment. Is Inclusive – Advance a culture of equity and belonging. Act with Integrity – Tell the truth, take responsibility for your actions, meet your commitments, and act ethically. Collaborate – Build trusting relationships and treat people with dignity and respect. Drive Impact Deliver high-quality work that is aligned with Pivotal Strategic Initiatives. Solve Problems – Identify issues and seek diverse perspectives to develop potential solutions. Propel Work Forward – Take initiative, prioritize work appropriately, and complete work on time. Center Stewardship – Use resources responsibly, consider and manage risk, and follow Pivotal policies and procedures. Learn and Grow Demonstrate a commitment to continuous individual and organizational development. Contribute Constructively – Participate in advancing individual, team, and organization-wide well-being and resilience. Occupy Growth-Mindset – Embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and focus on improvement. Share Knowledge – Document work appropriately, assess outcomes, and share explicit and tacit learning. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Minimum 12 years of experience with global media relations and/or communications in the public or private sector, or an equivalent combination of advanced training and experience. Minimum 8 years leading others, with demonstrated commitment to staff development and experience fostering equity and belonging within a team. Experience leading media-focused teams, with deep knowledge of the media landscape and effective communication strategies across mainstream and digital platforms. Background working directly with Principals—including C-suite executives, philanthropists or political leaders—providing communications counsel and securing media opportunities. Experience working with premier media outlets. Knowledge of the global media landscape, major players, and communication strategies across mainstream and digital platforms. Experience working with and extracting value from agency networks and contractors. Strong diplomacy and negotiating skills. Demonstrated understanding of effective campaigning and the appropriate channels for reaching target audiences. Demonstrated understanding of integrated campaign models (advocacy, media, partners, etc.) and application of audience segmentation and related taxonomies. Excellent written and verbal communications skills. Proficiency using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and SharePoint). Fluency in use of systems necessary to role (e.g., Salesforce, Workday). Willingness and ability to travel as needed. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience working with international media. Experience shaping policy narratives and public positioning through strategic communications. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS This is a full-time position is based in Pivotal’s Seattle, WA or Kirkland, WA office. The Salary range for this position is $266,796 - $286,311. This is a Limited-Term Employee (LTE) position and is expected to have a duration of 3 years. This means that, absent some change, the position will end within that timeframe as defined in the offer letter. The expected duration of the position does not alter the at-will nature of the position or work at Pivotal. Benefits for full-time LTE employees currently include medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and long-term care insurance, fertility benefit, caregiving support, 144 hours of vacation, 96 hours of sick leave, 401k, HSA, FSA, an opportunity to earn a discretionary annual target performance bonus and more. Eligibility for and the amount of benefits provided are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, in Pivotal’s discretion, with or without notice. Pivotal values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and all applicants seeking employment. All employment decisions at Pivotal are based on the candidate’s or employee’s capabilities and qualifications without regard to race (including traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as afros, braids, locks, and twists), color, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, caste, veteran or military status, marital, parental, or familial status, disability (including sensory, physical, or mental disability), medical condition, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, political ideology, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Pivotal complies with federal, state, and local equal opportunity and disability laws and makes reasonable accommodation consistent with those laws for applicants and employees with disabilities. Please contact peopleandculture@pivotalventures.org for assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process. Applications may be submitted via the Pivotal Ventures Careers page.

Responsibilities

The Senior Director, Communications & Media is responsible for shaping and implementing communications strategies for the Principal and managing reputation risk and crisis communications. This role involves collaborating with internal and external partners to amplify Pivotal's voice and brand while leading media strategies and stakeholder relations.