Senior Communications Associate
Hybrid (Baltimore, MD)
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Date Posted: 10/19/2026
Salary Range: $90,000.00 To $100,000.00 Annually
The Annie E. Casey Foundation is devoted to developing a brighter future for millions of children and young people with respect to their educational, economic, social and health outcomes. The Foundation’s work focuses on strengthening families, building stronger communities and ensuring access to opportunity, because children, youth and young adults need all three to succeed. Casey advances research and solutions to overcome the barriers to success, help communities demonstrate what works and influence decision makers to invest in strategies based on solid evidence.
At Casey, you will find a dynamic environment with staff of diverse backgrounds and perspectives who share a deep commitment to advancing the Foundation’s mission. A healthy work and life balance is supported at the Foundation, including flexible schedules and a hybrid workweek.
POSITION SUMMARY
This position will contribute to the Foundation’s strategic communications program by providing strategic thought partnership to program staff on Casey’s Juvenile Justice and Leadership Development teams, developing and maintaining strategic communications plans and disseminating communications products and tools that deliver priority messages to external audiences. The senior communications associate reports to an associate director and may potentially manage one communications associate.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage relationships with internal program units to meet their stragegic communications and marketing needs, which includes developing and executing ideas and strategies that support messaging, events and campaigns that advance program units’ work on a local, state and national scale while maintaining consistency with the Foundation’s strategic framework.
Function as a consistent and effective thought partner for program units, coordinating with all levels of staff, including program vice presidents, directors and staff through all stages of projects, from conceptualization through message refinement, internal and external distribution, follow-up and evaluation.
Manage production and dissemination of Foundation products and publications: developing and monitoring overall budget and production timelines; advising program staff and grantees on editorial and visual components required for a wide range of printed and digital materials including reports, brochures, toolkits, newsletters, etc. in alignment with Casey’s brand standards and guidelines.
Coordinate with Casey’s policy team to ensure that messages effectively target and inspire legislative, administrative and judicial leaders in a manner that helps create policies that improve outcomes for children and families.
Provide oversight on work of outside vendors and contractors including print and mail houses, graphic designers, photographers, videographers and freelance writers and copy editors.
(Potentially) Supervise a communications associate, which includes delegating responsibilities and tasks to support program and strategic communications teams’ overall priorities and strategies and providing guidance and oversight of their work and job performance.
Recommend strategies and goals to design, develop and implement web and social media tools that meet the Foundation’s overall communications needs. Work closely with digital communications staff and consultants to keep content on the Foundation’s main site (www.aecf.org) current, accurate and in sync with priority messages.
Work closely with strategic communications colleagues and consultants who support program work across the Foundation to identify opportunities and channels to deliver messages to media, policymakers, elected officials, grantees, staff and other key audiences.
Collaborate with external partners (e.g., consultants, peer funders, grantees) to help achieve Casey’s strategic communications goals.
Maintain awareness and understanding of the Foundation’s grant-making processes, Foundation-wide initiatives, program work and external factors (e.g., policy changes) that affect the Foundation, its program investments and grantees.
Exhibit sensitivity to and respect for diversity in personal, professional and business relationships on behalf of the Foundation. Seek to utilize the Foundation’s resources equitably with regard to race, ethnicity and gender.
Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the Foundation’s mission, values, standards, principles and programs, drawing on Casey’s intranet, website, staff development sessions and other learning opportunities (e.g., read current editions of Casey’s signature publications) to establish and continuously strengthen this competency.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of professional communications or journalism experience that includes at least three years of project management responsibilities using a project management or production tracking system/platform or equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience working for a communications, marketing or public relations agency or working in a non-agency environment to develop communications plans, products and tools is highly preferred
Communications experience in the field of child welfare, juvenile justice, community or ecomomic development is preferred
Supervisory experience and working with senior leaders is a must
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Strategic Thinking and Agility: Demonstrated ability to think organizationally and to manage resources to solve complex problems. Commitment to organizational capacity building, with an understanding of the work’s long-term, intensive and expansive nature. Commitment to a service concept of philanthropy and to the public trust. Outstanding judgment, initiative and motivation. Intellectual curiosity, creativity and a preference for a variety of professional challenges and opportunities.
Equity and Inclusion: Demonstrated ability to incorporate race equity concepts in communications while following Foundation Style. Ability to work with people who have diverse perspectives and backgrounds to facilitate strong relationships and shared interests
People Management: Ensures that direct reports’ individual goals and objectives are created and reviewed regularly to promote Foundation-wide equitable supervision, support and accountability. Supervises, coaches, motivates and promotes the professional development of staff in a positive, strengths-based way. Is fair and balanced with staff members, building on their strengths while focusing on developing team members, where there is need, in a culturally and emotionally competent way. Provides the information people need to do their jobs and is timely with this information. Treats direct reports equitably, acts fairly, has candid discussions and does not give preferential treatment. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.
Communication: Exceptional writing, editing, public speaking and presentation skills, including experience presenting complex subject matter to non-expert audiences and high-level decision makers in a strengths-based and positive manner. Has the ability to work with and translate the work of a variety of subject-matter experts. Is a good listener.
Intellectual Curiosity and Creativity: Comes up with many new and unique ideas; easily makes connections between previously unrelated notions; tends to be seen as original and adding value in brainstorming sessions; challenges the status quo, takes risks, supports change and encourages innovation.
Project Management: Establishes project goals, milestones and procedures; defines roles and responsibilities, acquires project resources, monitors project progress, manages multiple projects. Displays the administrative and organizational skills necessary to implement and oversee complex multiple projects. Ability to proficiently oversee and execute a wide range of communications practices, including publications, online communications, social media, public relations, public affairs and marketing.
Interpersonal Savvy: Relates well to all kinds of people, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
Teamwork: Can motivate others to act by building a learning culture and celebrates key milestones in the work. Successful working as a member of a dynamic and effective team.
Collaborative: Proven ability to lead and work effectively, internally and externally with diverse interdisciplinary teams with varying points of view.
Computer Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom; A plus: Asana, Box and Enterprise ChatGPT.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Copiers, Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, fax machine, handheld devices
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT
The is typically conducted in an office setting, travel required up to 25 percent of the time.
COMPENSATION
This is an exempt position, meaning pay is on a salaried rather than hourly or daily basis.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing how your background and experience make you a good candidate for this role and two to three writing samples. The Foundation will not consider resumes submitted without a cover letter.