The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, based in Menlo Park, California, seeks a Communications Associate to join its nine-person communications team. This newly created position will report to the Deputy Director of Communications, providing support to him, as well as the other Communications Officers, on external communications, including media relations and event and meeting planning and execution, as well as provide administrative and logistical support to the communications team overall.

The foundation’s communications strategy aims to help achieve charitable goals by sharing the knowledge and expertise of its staff, amplifying the voice and work of its grantees, and supporting smart, healthy communication across the fields in which it works. The ideal candidate is a strong writer who loves engaging with press to support smart discourse and effective messaging; an organized, detail-oriented team player who enjoys contributing to the creation of meetings and events to increase knowledge and build networks; and a mission-driven problem-solver who believes in the power of communication to do good in the world.

About the Foundation

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world. For more than 50 years, it has supported efforts to advance education for all, preserve the environment, foster gender equity and responsive governance around the world, support vibrant performing arts, serve Bay Area communities, and make the philanthropy sector more effective. In addition, we also make grants for special projects and to address other timely problems, such as challenges related to cybersecurity. Our newest program focuses on strengthening U.S. democracy. In 2020, the foundation announced a new grantmaking commitment focused on racial justice.

The Hewlett Foundation is one of the largest philanthropic institutions in the United States, with assets of more than $13.5 billion as of June 2022 and annual grant awards totaling more than $515 million in 2021. Established through the personal generosity of the Hewlett family, the foundation is wholly independent of HP, Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation.

The foundation has approximately 125 employees, in programmatic, operational, and investment roles, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Across the organization, our employees are challenged with meaningful work, have the resources for ongoing professional development and learning, and contribute to a collegial and engaging environment where they can thrive. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion as part of our core values and encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

More information about the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is available at: www.hewlett.org

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications Associate’s duties will include, but not be limited to:

Media Relations

• Regularly monitor and report on media mentions of the Hewlett Foundation, philanthropy trends, and key issues and grantees to support communications staff and leadership in reputation and issues management and identify promising reporters and coverage trends for proactive outreach.
• Develop and manage media lists for the foundation overall and our program areas.
• Assist communications officers with pitching, reporter follow-up and other media relations tasks.
• Draft press materials for Communication Officers’ review.

• Manage media subscriptions.

External Communications

• Respond in timely, accurate and polite manner to incoming information requests to the foundation’s general information email accounts, routing requests internally as needed.
• Respond to requests for use of the foundation’s logo and other brand materials, coordinating with Communications Officers and other foundation staff as needed (e.g. requests for foundation staff quotes in grantee press releases.)
• Coordinate submission of the foundation’s responses to field-wide philanthropic surveys.
• Support transfer of digital and physical media to archivists to enable external research and learning.

Event and Meeting Support

• Support Communications Officers on external events, such as media roundtables, grantee webinars, and annual town halls.
• Support Organizational Learning Officer on internal all-staff meetings, Shop Talks, and other organizational learning events, as needed.
• Provide scheduling support on complex meeting requests for Communications Officers and Learning Officer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, ideally in journalism, communications, or related field, and a minimum of one to two years of experience in communications, event management, or public relations. (or equivalent combination of education and experience). Interest/experience in nonprofit sector and/ or communications agency background a plus.
• Experience with media relations, including researching, developing and maintaining press lists; developing materials for press outreach; disseminating press releases; and pitching and placing stories.
• Experience with tools for monitoring media coverage (e.g., Meltwater, Cision, etc.)
• Experience planning and executing meetings and events that contribute to an organization’s communications goals. Experience planning and executing meetings and events for members of the news media and/ or events that contribute to organizational learning a plus.
• Strong writing and editing skills; knowledge of AP Style.
• Highly organized and flexible, with excellent attention to detail, deadlines and time management.
• Sense of humor, positive attitude, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite required; knowledge of Slack, Salesforce or other team collaboration tools a plus.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position is based in Menlo Park, California. Staff are working in a hybrid environment and expected to work from the Hewlett Foundation office at least 2-3 times per week. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to spend extended periods of time at a computer. The foundation requires all staff, vendors, and visitors accessing the office to be fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (including boosters when eligible).

Compensation and Benefits

The Hewlett Foundation is committed to providing compensation that is competitive within the philanthropic sector. We offer a generous total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits. The salary range for this role starts at $80,000. Offers are based on the candidate's years of experience and our practice of maintaining salary equity within the foundation.

To Apply

The foundation is partnering with the search firm Chaloner on this role. Please apply online (using the link below) and submit a resume and cover letter explaining how your skills fit this position:

https://chaloner.com/searches/#!/baa1f68c-f834-4fb2-9c45-deeb9d6440d5/detail

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation embraces the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, both internally in our hiring process and organizational culture, and externally, in our grantmaking and related practices. We are an equal opportunity employer, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.