The Director of Communications is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing Dog Tag’s internal and external communications, overseeing all organizational strategic and creative communications efforts including development and implementation of a multi-year communications and marketing plan related to national awareness building and promotion of a consistent brand; oversight of an annual and project-specific budgets; developing and ensuring the integrity, quality, and consistency of communications assets; overseeing media requests and outreach; securing engagement opportunities for leadership; supporting promotional needs of all organizational programmatic areas; and support highly effective, engaging storytelling/content development for the organization with key stakeholders that include board members, corporate and foundation funders, partners, academic institutions, print, broadcast and social media, and the members of the military community who we serve.

Those we serve often experience significant transition challenges that include rediscovering their identities, finding community, and pursuing fulfilling work outside the military. Our fellows graduate, they see and value themselves differently and continue on their own journeys with greater confidence, resilience and direction – an achievement described by many as life changing. As do all Dog Tag staff, the Director of Communications will play a role in supporting and educating Fellows and Alumni, empowering them to achieve their definition of success.

The Director of Communications will be part of the Senior Leadership Team which includes the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Development Officer, Director of Programs and Community Impact, Director of Bakery Operations, and Senior Advisor. The Director of Communications will supervise a growing team which includes a Senior Manager, Marketing and Branding as well as any communications consultants and/or firms retained to support related activities.

The ideal candidate should possess strong communications, marketing, writing and presentation skills as well as project, staff, and budget management skills. He/She will be expected to think and act strategically, creatively, and tactically. He/She should be a reliable collaborator within and across teams, be able to convey ideas and solutions clearly and compellingly at all levels of the organization, and have a service-oriented mindset. He/She will be expected to serve as a trusted representative of Dog Tag internally and externally, both in person and in writing. He/She will need to innovate, adapt, and work efficiently and effectively and thrive in an entrepreneurial and mission-driven environment.

The Director of Communications reports to the CEO. This position is currently predominantly remote in light of COVID-19 effects on the workplace; however, he/she will need to spend some amount of time in-person at our Washington, DC location

Key Responsibilities & Duties

Communications Expertise

• Develop and execute communications plans, strategies and accompanying budgets to support Dog Tag’s mission and vision and represent our diverse and underrepresented communities, voices, and stories with respect, authenticity, and sensitivity

• Work with leadership to develop organizational, program-specific, and project-related messages and positioning that support the organization’s mission, goals, key events and milestones, and research findings

• Supervise the maintenance of Dog Tag’s brand and related outreach to ensure authentic, consistent, and high-quality representation in the use of our logo, website, social media platforms, mission, vision, messages, tag line, positioning and communications policies and guidelines

• Collaborate with all Dog Tag program areas (Office of the CEO, Programs and Community Impact, Development, and Bakery Operations) to support the development of tailored stakeholder communications plans and products for internal and external audiences. This includes print, audiovisual, online/digital, and presentation materials such as fact sheets, press releases, fundraising and annual reports, presentations and talking points, infographics, posts, blogs and newsletters, annual and impact reports, videos, pitch decks, etc.

• Develop communications strategies and seek awareness-building opportunities for CEO engagement related to relevant issues and events

• Put in place evaluation measures for communications strategies and programs

Leadership, Staff Development and Recruitment

• Serve on the Dog Tag Executive Team as a key organizational leader and representative internally and externally; collaborate throughout the organization to promote close and productive interdepartmental relationships and communication

• Collaborate with senior leadership to craft and lead the successful execution of annual goals and programmatic strategies that are aligned with Dog Tag’s strategic plan

• Actively promote Dog Tag’s Core Values within and outside of the organization; ensure communications and related strategies and content rigorously reflect these values

• Support the professional development of communications staff and ensure training and other related opportunities are made available

• Oversee activities of the current communications team as well as future hiring needs and support organizational best practices in recruiting diverse, highly qualified candidates that reflect the communities Dog Tag serves

Organizational Culture

• As a member of the senior leadership team, initiate and support consistent and progressive steps toward organizational and programmatic consistency, sustainability, and scalability, particularly in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing

Ideal Qualifications

• Clear understanding and enthusiasm for Dog Tag’s mission

• Bachelor’s degree or minimum 10+ years of communications, public relations, marketing, and/or branding experience; minimum of 7 years of people management

• Demonstrated experience and/or understanding of both the nonprofit arena and entrepreneurial approaches

• Superior project management skills; agency or consulting experience a plus

• Strength in hiring, recruiting, managing, developing, coaching, and retaining individuals and teams, empowering them to elevate their performance and level of responsibility

• Service-oriented approach, effective team player, collaborator, and facilitator

• Superior verbal, written, and interpersonal skills

• Ability to demonstrate a high level of tact and discretion to maintain confidential/sensitive information

• Strategic and independent thinking and problem solving

• Results-focused approach tied to organization’s performance measures

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Salesforce preferred

• Occasional weekend and evening availability required

Key Performance Indicators

• Resource Utilization: Maintaining appropriate budgets for the Communications Department

• Number of Project Milestones: Programs and deliverables are on time and within budget with limited adjustments to the original schedule

• Program Evaluation: Increasing awareness and effectively communicating reach and impact of organization among key audiences

• Alignment With Strategic Organizational Goals: Ensure communications initiatives support the organization’s overall mission

Dog Tag Bakery, Inc. is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic prohibited by state or federal law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.