EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The California Endowment (The Endowment) is a private, statewide health foundation established in 1996 whose mission is to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. We envision a California that leads the nation as a powerful and conscientious voice for wellness, inclusion, and shared prosperity.

Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, The Endowment has regional offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno and San Diego, with staff working throughout the state. We challenge the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are the only drivers of health. We believe that health happens in neighborhoods, schools, and with prevention.

We are seeking a visionary and collaborative Vice President of Strategic Communications and Narrative (VP of Strategic Communications and Narrative) to lead the development, implementation, and management of comprehensive communications and narrative strategies that amplify community-driven solutions, shift beliefs and power, and drive systems change to advance racial and health equity and health access for marginalized populations across California.

The ideal candidate will be a creative and accomplished executive leader in the state of California with deep experience leading people through change management, well developed knowledge of philanthropy, experience leading social change campaigns, a successful track record leading teams and organizations to develop and advance effective and impactful communications and narrative strategies, and established, trusted relationships across California’s health, equity, philanthropy, and/or policy sectors. The VP of Strategic Communications and Narrative should be a passionate advocate for the vision of The Endowment, a committed and engaged team leader, a collaborative thought partner, and an exceptional spokesperson and ambassador who is recognized as a credible and influential voice among The Endowment’s diverse stakeholders and partners. They will lead a team that will provide the full range of communications and narrative functions within the organization and will work in close partnership with leadership and programming staff.

Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, the VP of Strategic Communications and Narrative will be based in one of The Endowment’s offices – ideally in Oakland, Sacramento, or Los Angeles – with occasional opportunities to work remotely. The role will require moderate domestic travel and in-person meetings.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

While no one candidate will possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will be passionate about The Endowment’s mission and bring many of the following skills and experiences:

1. Inspiring and dedicated leader – Proven executive leader with at least 10-15 years of senior leadership experience, including at least one role at the executive level (VP, SVP, C-suite). Demonstrated ability to independently set organizational priorities, distinguish strategic imperatives from tactical activities, and manage competing pressures and demands with sound judgment.
2. Executive decision-making ability – Track record of operating autonomously at senior levels, understanding which priorities are mission-critical versus those with greater flexibility, and allocating resources accordingly.
3. Statewide communications expertise in California – Proven experience designing, implementing, and leading the execution of comprehensive communications strategies across California’s diverse geography, demographics, and political landscape. Deep understanding of the nuances of regional difference throughout the state.
4. Demonstrated commitment to The Endowment’s mission – Unwavering commitment to expanding access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promoting fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians.
5. Change management – Ability to effectively guide individuals and teams through transitions, optimizing authentic engagement in and adoption of new processes, systems, and structures. Track record of successfully leading teams through periods of organizational change, transition, or transformation while maintaining morale, productivity, and mission alignment.
6. Equity-centered mindset – Deep understanding and commitment to anti-racist practices, community empowerment, and systems change work, with an emphasis on California’s public health landscape.
7. Compassionate, effective leader of teams – Demonstrated commitment to fostering a healthy team culture while maintaining decision-making authority and accountability. Experience uniting and working alongside staff in pursuit of a shared vision and goals and commitment to providing feedback and opportunities for professional development and advancement for team members.
8. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills – Ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders internally and externally.
9. Strategic planning and implementation acumen – Ability to transform strategic priorities into programs that align with The Endowment’s mission of advancing health and racial equity, with specific experience navigating California’s complex regional politics.
10. Commitment to cross-functional collaboration – Proven ability to collaborate across departments and functions, ensuring alignment and operational effectiveness.
11. Gravitas and influence – The ability to build trust, influence decision-making, and inspire stakeholders at all levels.
12. Stakeholder engagement – Capacity to effectively engage multiple stakeholders in inclusive, authentic, and meaningful ways. Credible influencer in California’s health equity, policy, and/or philanthropic ecosystems.
13. Innovation and adaptability – Creative thinker with the ability to continuously adapt strategies informed by data and feedback.
14. Continuous learner – Commitment to iteration, learning, and adaptation as a means to strengthen our efforts and outcomes.

WORK LOCATION, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Work Location: This role will be based in one of The Endowment’s offices – ideally in Oakland or Sacramento – with occasional opportunities to work remotely. The role will require moderate domestic travel and in-person meetings.

Salary and Benefits: The target salary range for this role is: $269,000 – $294,000. The Endowment offers a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision (company-paid), the opportunity to enroll in a health savings account (HSA), a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), a flexible spending account (FSA), and basic life and AD&D insurance. Employees are also eligible to contribute up to 75% of their salary to a 401(k) savings plan into which, after one year of employment, The Endowment will provide an 8% discretionary contribution in addition to matching dollar per dollar up to 7% of employee salary. The organization also offers a generous PTO policy with accrual increasing based on years of service, and eleven paid holidays per year.

Additional information about the full range of benefits will be made available on offer.

TO APPLY

This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Andrés Marcuse-González of NPAG. We invite applications with a resume and cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications via the portal on NPAG’s website. Should you have questions, candidate nominations, or if you need assistance or accommodations in the application process, please contact Andres Marcuse-Gonzalez at andres@npag.com.

The California Endowment is an equal opportunity employer and places a high value on diversity, equity, inclusion and to creating a work environment where the individual is valued and respected.