Communications Officer
Asheville, NC
Dogwood Health Trust
Date Posted: 6/27/2025
ABOUT DOGWOOD HEALTH TRUST
Founded in 2018, Dogwood Health Trust (Dogwood) is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina. Its sole purpose is to dramatically improve the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of the 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina.
As a funder, Dogwood invests in collaborative, innovative and equitable efforts that address the many factors contributing to overall wellbeing, especially in the areas of housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness. Ultimately, Dogwood seeks to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions.
Our Values
Compassion with Courage. We will be bold in pursuing our commitment to the people and communities of Western North Carolina by taking smart risks and investing in opportunities for profound impact.
Sustainability with Integrity. We will bring transparency and humility in stewarding resources to support and strengthen Western North Carolina for generations to come.
Partnering with Purpose. We will foster collective impact by promoting collaboration and advancing shared learning.
SUMMARY
As a member of the Communications Team, the Communications Officer will collaborate internally and externally to advance strategic communications efforts that lift Dogwood’s voice and identity as a rural foundation in Western North Carolina; tell powerful stories and narratives from community investments; and share knowledge and lessons learned.
Each communications officer will be assigned a mixed portfolio of work that includes both internal and external communications responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Planning & Strategy:
Identify key audiences aligned to organizational goals and strategy, developing tailored communications plans to reach and resonate with those audiences.
Co-design and implement communications plans with internal and external partners, fostering conversation, connection and relationship-building with key audiences.
Support internal communications efforts and contribute to a strong, connected organizational culture.
Identify opportunities to elevate Dogwood’s voice, narratives and knowledge through storytelling and media placement.
Proactively identify emerging communications opportunities and provide timely follow-up and support.
Messaging, Stories & Content
Create message frameworks, key points and backgrounders for internal and external communications strategies, reflecting Dogwood’s commitments to community engagement and community equity.
Collaborate with internal teams to surface story leads and work directly with grantee partners to develop compelling stories and related content that advances Dogwood’s purpose and impact.
Write and tailor content in a range of formats and for internal/external audiences, including website copy, blog/thought leadership posts, social media posts, reports, newsletters, press releases, talking points, speeches, scripts and slide content.
Develop press releases, statements and other media-facing materials, coordinating with external media contacts when needed.
Develop and publish engaging, mission-aligned content across all digital platforms, including posts, graphics and short-form videos.
Lead vendor contracts and coordinate freelance or outsourced writing, photography and videography support as needed.
Ensure all communications are consistent with Dogwood’s voice and identity.
Contribute content to Dogwood’s digital presence, organized by an organizational editorial calendar, to drive audience engagement.
Contribute to an organizational editorial calendar that reflects ongoing initiatives, grantee stories and organizational updates
Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation:
Maintain a well-organized system to track, monitor and prioritize communications projects and deliverables.
Maintain the internal SharePoint communications hub with updated templates, message guidance, and storytelling resources for staff.
Monitor digital channels to engage with followers, respond to messages, and flag important mentions or trends.
Identify and act on real-time digital engagement opportunities that support Dogwood’s visibility and communications goals.
Track, analyze, and report on digital analytics and channel performance to inform strategy and guide improvements.
Stay current on communications trends and emerging tools and strategies to keep Dogwood’s communications strategies relevant and engaging.
Events
Develop materials to support events, public engagements, and key initiatives, including speeches, remarks, scripts, and slide content.
Help design and plan grantee meetings and convenings, contributing strategic communications expertise to a broader planning team.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Qualifications are a guiding light and not all encompassing of what Dogwood considers throughout the selection process. We encourage all candidates to include a cover letter to share how their lived experience, education, and work experience combine to support this role.
Education/Certification
Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related field preferred
Work Experience
Minimum 5+ years in strategic communications, storytelling, and internal/external content development
Project management experience required
Philanthropy or nonprofit experience preferred
Experience in rural or community-centered organizations is a plus
Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes
Deep understanding of strategic communications planning, messaging, and audience engagement, aligning communications to organizational goals
Knowledge of media relations, editorial planning, and brand development
Understanding of digital engagement strategies, trends, and analytics
Strong writing, editing, and storytelling abilities across formats and channels
Proficient in content creation tools and platforms
Effective project and time management, with the ability to organize and prioritize complex workloads and manage vendors
Able to distill complex ideas into consumable content
Highly collaborative and relationship-oriented, with a willingness to co-create
Strong listening and interpersonal skills with an ability to engage cross-functionally and cross-culturally
Curious and community-focused
Detail-oriented, organized, and self-motivated with strong follow-through
Flexible and adaptable
Committed to equity and inclusion in all work
WORKING CONDITIONS
We work in an office environment, both on-site and home offices that require operating standard office equipment. Office workspaces are designed to be accessible and inclusive, accommodating various physical needs and promoting a healthy work environment.
Dogwood utilizes a hybrid work schedule requiring staff to be in the office twice or more each week. While there is some flexibility for hybrid work, this is not a remote position, and candidates should expect to work regularly from the office in Asheville, NC, or from home located in the region we serve.
Some travel throughout the region is expected for this role.
This position is a full-time, salaried, exempt role.
WHAT WE OFFER
Dogwood’s purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities of Western North Carolina is also evident within our doors. All full-time team members can take part in a broad range of competitive benefits, including:
100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life and AD&D insurance.
Up to 6% match for 403b retirement contributions.
Annual PTO (4 weeks) & Sick (2 weeks).
10 paid holidays, 5 paid Winter Break days.
Dogwood Health Trust is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work and on our teams. We know that the rich diversity of perspectives and wisdom imperative to our purpose can only come from a wide variety of origins and life experiences. We strongly believe that creating a workplace where all team members thrive is critical to fulfilling our purpose in the communities we serve. We intentionally recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
Qualified candidates are urged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.
This position will close on Monday, July 21st, 2025, at 8:00 AM. Applications must be submitted before the deadline, as late submissions will not be accepted.
