Interim Director, Communications & Media Relations

ROLE DESCRIPTION 

The Interim Director, Communications & Media Relations (“Interim Director”) serves as a key member of Pivotal communications leadership, playing a crucial role in shaping the overall communications strategy and driving impact using a variety of communications tools and assets. The Interim Director, Communications & Media Relations must work closely and collaboratively with internal stakeholders, specifically with the Programs and Investments teams, as well as a diverse range of external partners (NGO partners, consultants, contractors, agencies and support organizations) to magnify Pivotal’s voice to drive impact, awareness and influence for Pivotal strategic priorities.  

The Interim Director, Communications & Media Relations will join a team and organization transforming into a multi-entity philanthropic endeavor. This role will play a lead role in standing up new processes and ways of working, and will need to cultivate strong relationships across Communications teams, as well as with the Program and Investment teams. The Interim Director will be responsible for advising on broader communications strategies to advance Pivotal’s impact work, amplify the work of our philanthropic and impact investing partners, and call audiences to action.  

The incumbent should be comfortable in a lean, flat, entrepreneurial organization that places a high premium on culture, collegiality, intellectual curiosity and collaboration. At the same time, this person must be comfortable with a fast-paced, action-oriented role.  

This role is expected to have a duration of 12 months. This means that, absent some change, the position will end within that timeframe as defined in the offer letter.   

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic Communications 

• Lead the team shaping communications strategies and tools that drive impact including strategic planning, digital content, annual budgets, team operations and team engagement.
• Lead the development and execution of communications strategies working across workstreams to define and drive awareness of Pivotal’s mission and impact outcomes, amplify the work of our partners, and call audiences to action.  
• Provide counsel across the organization, and with Pivotal’s partner network on joint communications strategies and oversee the internal and external use of the company voice, messaging and brand, ensuring all related trademarks and logos are used consistently within brand standards and expectations.
• Lead the engagement model between Pivotal communications and programmatic teams to determine the strategic direction of projects; manage high-profile projects as they emerge.
• Identify thought leadership opportunities for key Pivotal leaders and partners.  

Collaboration 

• Partner across program and investments teams to help manage Pivotal-related activities across earned media, creative and digital teams.
• Collaborate closely with the Principal’s communications team to find opportunities for strategic use of the Principal’s voice in support of Pivotal’s impact priorities. 
• Partner with the Vice President, Communications to develop new processes and ways of working across a dynamic ecosystem of impact organizations.  

Pivotal Communications Leadership  

• Manage direct reports, oversee onboarding, career development and growth opportunities for all key team members.   
• Oversee and support the development and execution of the Pivotal’s annual communications strategy and budget. This includes proficiency in each element of our strategy; understanding and being able to represent each discipline’s role in delivering on our goals and objectives, and championing strategic prioritization in the team’s daily work.  
• Represent the Pivotal Communications team and the Vice President, Communications, at times acting as a proxy for the Vice President, Communications.
• Act as a coach and mentor to the broader communications team.
• Establish and lead a team culture and drive inclusiveness and accountability across the communications team and with its partners.  

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or behavior required to be successful in this role.  

• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with key stakeholders, treating people with dignity and respect.  
• Strong analytical skills and judgment. Uses resources responsibly, considers and manages risk, and follows Pivotal policies and procedures
• Acts with Integrity and fosters an inclusive and collaborative work environment
• Participates in advancing individual, team and org-wide well-being and resilience
• Self-starter who takes initiative, prioritizes work appropriately and completes work on time.
• Embraces challenges, learns from mistakes and focuses on improvement.
• Solves problems, identifies issues and seeks diverse perspectives to develop potential solutions.
• Maintain ability to work efficiently and collaboratively on challenging projects under tight timelines. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• 11-12 years of experience in strategic communications and media (public or private sector).
• 6 years of experience managing people and teams.
• Experience in the philanthropic and social impact sectors
• Proven ability to manage multiple high-priority workstreams simultaneously, often juggling 5–6 projects per day across varying levels of complexity—from executive communications to media outreach and campaign execution.
• Strong critical thinking skills, with a deep understanding of the media landscape. Ability to research issue areas thoroughly and integrate insights into a cohesive media and communications strategy, particularly within issue-based and philanthropic communications.  
• Expertise in communications strategy development, with a focus on relationship-building and translating complex issues into compelling, audience-relevant content. Demonstrated success in collaborating across teams to drive earned media efforts.  
• Knowledge of the global media landscape and key players and how to effectively communicate in both mainstream and digital media environments.  
• Understanding of effective campaigning and the appropriate channels to reach target audiences.
• Understanding of integrated campaign models (advocacy, media, partners and so on) and applicability of audience segmentation and related taxonomies.
• Experience working with, and extracting value from, agency networks and contractors.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.  
• Strong negotiating/diplomacy skills.
• Ability to travel (3-5 times per year; pending home base)    

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• In-house philanthropy experience highly preferred 

The Salary range for this position is $215,700 - $227,300. This position is based in Seattle, WA or Washington DC. This role is expected to have a duration of 12 months. This means that, absent some change, the position will end within that timeframe as defined in the offer letter.    

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, fertility benefit, caregiving support, 144 hours of vacation, 96 hours of sick leave, 401k, HSA, FSA, and more.