Director of Communications

About MFAN  

The Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) is a national nonprofit organization that conducts rigorous research, develops responsive programs, and brings together military families, government, nonprofit, and private-sector partners to drive meaningful change. MFAN is entering an important period of growth and transformation as we implement a new strategic plan, strengthen our national positioning, expand the reach of our research and programs, and prepare for a rebrand and website redesign.  

The Opportunity  

MFAN seeks a seasoned, strategic Director of Communications to lead an integrated, enterprise-wide communications function. This is not solely a content-production or media-relations role. The Director will establish a multi-channel communications plan, systems, standards, and team practices that enable MFAN to communicate with greater clarity, consistency, and influence as the organization grows.  

Reporting initially to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director will translate complex research, program impact, policy priorities, and the lived experiences of military families into compelling communications for diverse audiences. The Director of Communications will be counted on to delegate and lead a team, while managing a budget and discerning when it is appropriate to bring in outside support for specialized, tactical elements.  The Director will be MFAN's senior communications advisor, lead major organizational initiatives, and manage staff, contractors, agencies, budgets, and workflows. The ideal candidate is both a strong strategist and an excellent operator: someone who can set the direction, build the plan, guide others, and step in personally when the moment requires it.   

This is a consequential role; the Director of Communications must have excellent judgement and understand the content, stakeholders, and environment that MFAN operates in. A growth mentality is a must.  

What Success Looks like in the First Year  

• Build and begin implementing a multiyear communications strategy aligned with MFAN's 2027–2030 strategic plan and organizational goals.  
• Create an integrated editorial and campaign-planning system that aligns research, programs, government relations, advancement, events, and executive communications.  
• Strengthen MFAN's national visibility and reputation as a trusted, nonpartisan source of military family insight and solutions.  
• Develop a disciplined approach to translating MFAN's data, evidence, and impact into accessible narratives for families, funders, policymakers, partners, media, and the public.  
• Assess and strengthen the communications team structure, vendor portfolio, workflows, measures of success, and quality-control practices.  
• In coordination with leaders across the organization, develop and implement the personnel, technology, and systems infrastructure needed to advance strategic priorities, align resources with the budget, and strengthen organizational efficiency, productivity, and quality—not just for the communications area, but for the full organization.  
• Lead communications planning and execution for MFAN's rebrand and website redesign, in close partnership with executive leadership and external specialists.  

Position Type / Hours of Work 

• Full-Time, Exempt Position  
• Hours: Standard hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Monday–Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET on Fridays, unless otherwise approved by the department lead. There will be occasions when extended hours are required due to events, travel, meetings, or other requirements. 
• Location: Remote. As this is a fully remote position, candidates are expected to have a dedicated workspace and access to high-speed internet. This position is limited to a candidate living in the 48 contiguous states and must have regular availability during Eastern Time business hours.  
• Travel: Travel is required for conferences, partner meetings, MFAN events, and staff retreats (monthly travel should be expected).   

Duties & Responsibilities 

Enterprise Communications Strategy and Leadership  

• Develop and own an integrated communications strategy that advances MFAN's mission, strategic plan, reputation, growth, and impact.  
• Serve as a senior advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team on messaging, organizational positioning, reputation, emerging issues, and communications opportunities.  
• Establish clear annual priorities, audience strategies, campaign plans, performance measures, decision rights, and cross-functional workflows.  
• Design, implement, and maintain organization-wide communications efforts and operating rhythms in close coordination with research, programs, fundraising, government relations, and events leaders, ensuring that priorities are aligned and work moves forward with clear ownership and accountability.  
• Lead through organizational change, helping staff understand and consistently communicate MFAN's evolving strategy, identity, priorities, and value.  

Brand, Messaging, and Digital Transformation  

• Steward MFAN's brand and ensure consistent use of its voice, messages, narrative, and visual identity across the organization.  
• Lead communications strategy and internal coordination for MFAN's rebrand and website redesign, including audience needs, content architecture, editorial standards, launch planning, and adoption.  
• Maintain a reliable source of approved messages, evidence, proof points, and organizational language for use across communications, fundraising, partnerships, and public engagement.  
• Oversee MFAN's website, email, social media, digital campaigns, and other external channels, using data to improve reach, engagement, and conversion.  

Research Translation, Thought Leadership, and Storytelling  

• Partner closely with research and impact leaders to translate complex findings into clear, accurate, timely, and actionable communications without compromising rigor.  
• Develop thought-leadership strategies that position MFAN and its subject-matter experts for media commentary, speaking opportunities, op-eds, convenings, and other influential platforms.  
• Create a balanced narrative approach that combines credible data, program outcomes, partner contributions, and the lived experiences of military families.  
• Guide communications for major research releases, national events, program launches, and rapid-response moments.  

Media, Executive, and Public Communications  

• Build and sustain relationships with national, military, policy, trade, and local media; identify timely opportunities and develop proactive pitches.  
• Prepare the CEO and other subject-matter experts for interviews, speeches, panels, testimony, and high-visibility engagements.  
• Draft or oversee executive communications, public statements, talking points, opinion pieces, presentations, and sensitive organizational messages.  
• Develop practical issues-management and crisis communication protocols and lead communications when rapid coordination is required.  

Advancement, Partner, and Program Communications  

• Partner with advancement to ensure donor and corporate-partner communications are compelling, accurate, consistent, and aligned with MFAN's broader narrative.  
• Support the development of cases for support, proposals, stewardship materials, sponsorship campaigns, reports, and other high-value communications while maintaining clear ownership between communications and fundraising.  
• Collaborate with programs and government relations to reach military families, partners, policymakers, and community stakeholders with audience-specific communications.  
• Lead communications planning for partner campaigns while protecting MFAN's credibility, nonpartisan voice, and brand standards.  

Team, Operations, and Performance  

• Lead, coach, and develop communications staff while creating clear expectations, accountability, and opportunities for growth.  
• Select and manage agencies, consultants, designers, producers, freelancers, and other vendors; oversee scopes, timelines, budgets, quality, and results.  
• Build repeatable systems for intake, prioritization, editorial planning, production, review, approval, asset management, and performance reporting.  
• Use analytics and audience insight to evaluate results, communicate progress, and continuously improve strategy and execution.  
• Manage the communications budget and make thoughtful decisions about internal capacity, external support, and resource allocation.   

Required Experience & Skills 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.  
• At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, public affairs, or a related field, including meaningful experience leading a communications function or major portfolio.  
• Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated communications strategies tied to organizational priorities and measurable outcomes.  
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex priorities, adapt quickly to changing needs, and deliver polished, high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.  
• A collaborative, no-ego leadership style and the ability to build trust and accountability across functions in a remote organization.  
• Experience leading staff and managing consultants, agencies, vendors, budgets, and simultaneous high-stakes projects.  
• Experience leading a significant brand, messaging, website, or organizational-positioning initiative through planning, stakeholder alignment, implementation, and adoption.  
• Exceptional writing, editing, message-development, and storytelling skills across executive, media, digital, donor, partner, and public-facing formats.  
• Strong record of translating complex information, research, or policy into accessible and compelling content while protecting accuracy and nuance.  
• Sound judgment and the ability to advise senior leaders, navigate sensitive issues, manage competing perspectives, and make decisions in a fast-moving environment.  
• Commitment to MFAN's mission, nonpartisan approach, and responsibility to represent military families with accuracy, dignity, and respect.  

Preferred Skills 

• Experience in a national nonprofit, research, policy, public affairs, association, or other mission-driven organization.  
• Experience communicating research findings or supporting advocacy, public policy, or systems-change efforts.  
• Familiarity with military and veteran communities, military family policy, or the national-security ecosystem. Military affiliation is welcomed but not required.  
• Experience supporting fundraising, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, or cause-marketing initiatives.  
• Experience with modern content management, email, social media, project management, and analytics platforms. Familiarity with specific software is less important than the ability to select and use tools strategically.  
  

Benefits 

We’re proud to offer a comprehensive and people-centered benefits package designed to support your well-being both in and out of work: 

• Health & Wellness: QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement) to help cover your health insurance and medical expenses. 
• Technology Allotment: MFAN offers monthly technology reimbursement or stipend. 
• Time to Recharge: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and compassionate leave—because life happens. 
• Summer Fridays: Enjoy shortened hours on Fridays during the summer months. 
• 401K: Available immediately upon hire with a 3% employer match.  

We believe in flexibility, care, and supporting our team with meaningful benefits that promote balance and sustainability. 

Working Conditions 

The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable 

individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The qualified employee will work in a 

dynamic home office setting, and interact with staff and consultants, and therefore may be subjected to 

interruptions throughout the workday. The position will require some flexible hours, and when 

applicable, local and national travel will be required.  

Location & Work Authorization

This position is open only to candidates who are legally authorized to work in the United States and who will perform all work from within the United States. MFAN does not sponsor employment visas or assume sponsorship of existing employment visas, now or in the future. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement  

MFAN is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. MFAN does not discriminate against employees or applicants in any aspect of employment and prohibits harassment of any kind, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.