Senior Communications Manager, TA

USA

$80K/yr – $90K/yrFull time

Posted 10 days ago

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Job Description

Senior Communications Manager, Technical Assistance

Department: Programs and Systems Change
Reports To: Director, TA Capacity
FLSA Status: Exempt

Union Status: Union-represented
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Remote, travel as needed up to 10%

Why We’re Here
“No one working full time in the richest country on Earth should have to choose between a doctor’s visit and dinner on the table. But that’s exactly what happens when we treat health care like a luxury instead of a right.” Community Catalyst is seeking Senior Communications Manager, Technical Assistance to help shape the national conversation on health justice and elevate the organization’s role as a leading authority on equitable health systems in the United States.

About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is the national health justice organization working to ensure care is accessible, affordable, and accountable to the people it serves—and that racial bias does not determine who receives care. For more than two decades, Community Catalyst has partnered with state and community advocates to change systems before harm occurs. The organization integrates policy reform, community organizing, data science, narrative strategy, and thought leadership to advance structural change in health care.

The Opportunity
The Senior Communications Manager, Technical Assistance (TA), provides strategic, time-bound communications support to Community Catalyst partners and internal teams at moments when decisions are still in motion and community power can shape outcomes.
Situated within the Programs and System Change team , this role operates as part of a cross-functional technical assistance team — integrating narrative strategy, storytelling, design, earned media, and digital execution to support high-leverage policy, advocacy, and organizing interventions aligned with Community Catalyst’s strategic priorities (SPs) and grant deliverables. While within the programs and Systems Change team, receives functional coaching, tools, and standards support from Communications Enterprise staff , ensuring alignment with narrative strategy, brand integrity, and measurement practices.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Narrative & TA Interventions

Partner with state and community organizations to design communications interventions aligned with defined policy, advocacy, or campaign goals.
Identify dominant narratives shaping decisions and develop framing and messaging strategies that shift power toward communities.
Ensure communications interventions support both near-term outcomes and long-term movement and narrative change.
Apply research-backed narrative guidance and best practices, including resources from Wonder Strategies for Good.

Partner Support & Execution

Serve as a hands-on communications partner to TA recipients, supporting planning, execution, and adaptation of strategies.
Work with partners to clarify goals, audiences, timelines, and success metrics aligned to SPs and grant requirements.
Translate complex policy and systems dynamics into clear, accessible communications approaches partners can sustain.

Storytelling, Media, Digital & Design Integration

Support ethical collection and strategic use of lived-experience stories in partnership with communities.
Integrate stories with data, research, and policy analysis to strengthen credibility and authority.
Support targeted earned media, digital campaigns, and design assets as part of defined TA interventions.
Coordinate with internal communications staff and external vendors to ensure speed, quality, and alignment.

Measurement, Learning & Accountability

Track and document communications outcomes aligned to SPs, TA objectives, and grant deliverables.
Monitor indicators related to narrative influence, media quality, engagement relevance, and partner capacity.
Use qualitative and quantitative insights to adjust strategy in real time and inform post-intervention learning.

Required Qualifications

At least 6 years of experience in advocacy communications, campaign communications, or a communications firm/agency environment
Demonstrated experience supporting campaigns, coalitions, or partners through time-bound, outcome-driven work
Experience with earned-media strategy, including op-ed placement and reporter relationship at the regional or national outlets
Experience conducting interviews and developing content-focused surveys, to support writing of compelling stories, blogs, and op-eds, that translate complex information into clear, engaging narratives.
Experience tracking, measuring, and reporting outcomes aligned to strategic goals or grants
Demonstrated experience building relationships and working with storytellers as a broader campaign strategy
Accessibility & Plain Language: Demonstrated knowledge of Section 508 compliance and Plain Language standards, with hands-on experience, using accessibility testing tools such as Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker, Microsoft Accessibility Checker, or similar tools
Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple TA engagements simultaneously
Comfort working independently in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
Alignment with health justice, racial equity, and community-led change
Experience translating complex health policy and safety-net program concepts (e.g., Medicaid, medical debt, caregiver policy and federal plain language standards) into clear accessible communications for public, patient, and advocate audiences

Preferred Qualifications
Experience with one or more of the following is strongly preferred; candidates are not expected to bring all skills:

Design & Visual Content: Experience with Canva or similar design tools.
Video & Multimedia: Experience with CapCut or comparable short-form video editing tools.
Earned Media & Monitoring: Experience with Muck Rack or similar media monitoring platforms.
Digital Asset Management: Experience with Canto or comparable digital asset management systems.
Advocacy & Engagement Platforms: Experience with EveryAction, Soapboxx, or similar advocacy and engagement platforms.
Digital Advertising: Hands-on experience executing digital advertising campaigns and measuring campaign performance and success.
Message & Narrative Testing: Experience conducting message and narrative testing across multiple issue areas and audience segments.

Core Competencies

Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to tailor messages for multiple stakeholders, including partners, policymakers, funders, and the public
Ability to translate complex policy and systems issues into clear, compelling communications
Experience managing multiple workstreams with tight timelines and shifting priorities
Strong collaboration and facilitation skills when working with partners and cross-functional teams
Comfort tracking outcomes and documenting progress aligned to strategic priorities and grant deliverables

The ideal candidate is:

A self-starter with an outcome-oriented mindset
Experienced in campaigns or communications firms and comfortable working against decision windows
Skilled at partnering with organizations to advance strategy—not just produce materials
Able to balance speed, discipline and collaboration

Measures of Success

Within the first 12 months, this incumbent will:

Develop expertise in technical assistance (TA) delivery, guiding partners through scoped, outcome-driven communications engagements.
Co-create and execute strategic communications plans with community and state partners, aligned to advocacy and policy goals.
Drive effective storytelling and narrative strategy, integrating lived experience, data, and messaging to reach key audiences.

Supervisory Responsibilities
No supervisory responsibilities at this time.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements
This is a remote, office-based position performed from a home or remote workspace using standard office equipment and technology. Occasional travel may be required based on organizational needs. The role involves extended periods of sitting, regular computer use, and virtual communication. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $80,000– $90,000, based on a full-time schedule. Placement within the range is determined by role scope, relevant experience, skills, geographic considerations, and internal equity. Compensation is reviewed and approved in accordance with Community Catalyst’s compensation framework and organizational policies.

This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by a staff union, Community Catalyst United, and specific employment terms are subject to the current Collective Bargaining Agreement .

This position is eligible for Community Catalyst’s employee benefits program, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements. Benefits may include medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement savings; paid time off and holidays; paid family and medical leave; wellness benefits; and other programs as outlined in the Employee Benefits Guide. Benefit offerings and eligibility may vary based on employment status, role classification, location, and collective bargaining agreements, where applicable. Benefits are governed by plan documents and may be modified from time to time.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Community Catalyst is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may change based on organizational needs, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.