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-by side

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

• 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.

Horizon Foundation

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Director of Communications