Senior Director of Narrative Power and Policy Strategy

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Senior Director of Narrative Power and Policy Strategy

is a key leadership role responsible for shaping and advancing Pillsbury United Communities’ public narrative, community voice, and policy influence. This role integrates strategic communications, marketing, community organizing, advocacy, and government relations to drive systemic change.

Reporting to the Head of Advancement and serving on the senior leadership team, this leader partners across the organization and with community to shift narratives while mobilizing people, strengthening partnerships, and influencing policy outcomes aligned with organizational mission.

This role operates at the intersection of storytelling, power-building, policy, and brand, ensuring that community voice drives both narrative and action while elevating the PUC’s local and national visibility.

Primary Responsibilities (Essential Functions)
Strategy and Thought Leadership

Develop and lead an integrated strategy that aligns communications, marketing, narrative shifting, community organizing, and policy advocacy

Serve as a strategic advisor to the leadership team and Board on messaging, positioning, and external influence

Shape and advance narrative change strategies that challenge dominant, incomplete, and/or false narratives about our communities

Drive the development of a policy platform that aligns community voice, programmatic insights, and emerging opportunities for innovation and systems change

Identify and elevate community voices to influence public discourse, policy priorities, and systems‑level change

Lead development of organizational messaging frameworks, marketing strategies, campaigns, and crises communication

Raise the organization’s visibility and influence at both local and national levels

Represent the organization as a spokesperson in media, public forums, and high‑level stakeholder settings

Recommend and help advance policy agendas in partnership with leadership and the Board of Directors

Maintain a deep understanding of the political, community, and media landscape to inform strategy

Operations and Outcomes

Oversee execution of integrated communications, marketing, advocacy, and engagement strategies across digital, print, media, and all platforms in support of program and agency needs

Lead and supervise marketing, communications, and branding functions, ensuring alignment, consistency, and excellence across all channels

Oversee website/social media site development and maintenance

Drive development and implementation of comprehensive marketing strategies that strengthen brand identity and audience engagement

Lead narrative campaigns that connect storytelling with organizing and policy action

Establish measurable goals and outcomes related to audience engagement, narrative impact, community mobilization, and policy influence

Identify and pursue opportunities for funding, partnerships, and program alignment across government and external systems with organizational leaders

Manage relationships with external vendors, consultants, and strategic partners

Ensure consistency, quality, and cultural alignment across all communications, marketing, and engagement efforts

Anticipate and respond to emerging issues, risks, and opportunities in a dynamic environment

Support fundraising and advancement efforts through strategic communications, marketing, branding, and positioning

People and Community Development

Build, lead, and mentor a high‑performing, cross‑functional team spanning marketing, communications, organizing, advocacy, and external contractors as needed

Directly supervise marketing and communications staff, and oversee broader external engagement, narrative, and policy partners/contractors

Foster a collaborative, matrixed environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and shared ownership

Cultivate leadership within teams, supporting professional development and growth

Build and sustain strong relationships with community members, grassroots leaders, and partner organizations

Foster and maintain relationships with key elected officials and public sector leaders at city, county, state, and federal levels

Develop and manage partnerships with nonprofit, civic, and advocacy organizations to advance shared goals

Represent the organization in community spaces, including complex or sensitive environments, with credibility and care

Facilitate inclusive engagement and dialogue across diverse stakeholders, including navigating difficult conversations around race and equity

Serve as a resource to staff across the agency to strengthen civic engagement and advocacy as a core shared competency

Financial Management

Monitor and analyze revenue performance against goals, adjusting strategies as needed

Develop and manage budgets across marketing, communications, advocacy, and engagement functions

Align resources with strategic priorities to maximize organizational and community impact

Identify and support funding opportunities, including public sector investments and partnerships

Provide regular financial and performance updates to leadership and Board as needed

Ensure strong stewardship of resources, including contracts, partnerships, and external investments

Support grant development, reporting, and compliance in collaboration with advancement and program teams

Required Skills/Experience

Minimum 5–7 years of leadership experience in communications, marketing, organizing, advocacy, public affairs, or related fields

Demonstrated success in marketing strategy development and implementation, brand leadership, and audience growth

Proven experience in narrative change, community engagement, and/or policy advocacy

Deep commitment to racial equity, justice, and community‑centered practice

Strong understanding of government systems and experience building relationships with elected officials and public sector leaders

Exceptional communicator and storyteller with the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling narratives

Proven ability to lead teams, manage across functions, and operate in a collaborative, complex environment

Skilled relationship‑builder with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including those with differing perspectives

Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes

Experience managing budgets and aligning financial resources with strategy

High level of emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and adaptability

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Proven track record and comfort enfranchising and engaging a diverse set of stakeholders

Able to build positive, nonjudgmental relationships with community

Strong technical and creative writing skills

Understanding of appropriate personal boundaries and professional ethics

Self‑motivating with excellent time management and accountability skills

Desired Attributes

Passion for what’s possible

Clear sense of personal purpose

Commitment to social justice with an equity‑driven approach

Creative problem‑solver that is adaptive and responsive

Skilled communicator, motivator and compelling storyteller

Relationship centered

Robust financial acumen

Results oriented and ambitious

Commitment to dismantling oppressive systems including but not limited to racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, and colonialism

Benefits
Benefits are offered to all regular employees who work at least 20 hours a week. Our benefits package includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision coverage, employer paid short term and long term disability, employer paid life insurance, health saving account (HSA) option, flexible spending account (FSA) option, retirement plan option with an employer match, paid time off and floating holidays, and numerous paid holidays.

A Note to Potential Candidates
Studies have shown that women, trans, non‑binary folks, and Black, Indigenous, People Of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Pillsbury United Communities is intentional about its responsibility of maintaining an equitable environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We hire, support, and promote talented individuals using a process that is fair and equitable to all that apply. We believe differences such as age, race, culture, ability, and sexual orientation are valuable and an asset to our organization, and employees are protected from reprisal. All applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.

#J-18808-Ljbffr