Communications Director - Housing Trust Silicon Valley

Another Source’s client, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, is recruiting a Communications Director to join their team in San Jose, California. This is a hybrid opportunity. 

Here’s a little about Housing Trust: 

Housing Trust is leading the effort to create a strong affordable housing market in the greater Bay Area as one of the region’s highest-volume nonprofit housing lenders. Serving people experiencing homelessness, renters, and first-time homebuyers, Housing Trust assists a wide range of residents with programs across the entire spectrum of housing issues. 

Since 2000, Housing Trust has invested $690 million, creating more than 28,700 affordable housing opportunities and serving over 53,800 neighbors throughout the region. Housing Trust has also led the way in engaging local corporations and foundations to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in housing solutions while experiencing several years of significant growth in its lending business. 

Housing Trust is looking for exceptional people who believe that safe, stable, affordable housing opens the door to better living for everyone. The organization embraces diversity and believes it benefits its team, partners, and community. 

About this role: 

Reporting to the Chief Development and Impact Officer (CDIO), the Communications Director will provide strategic leadership for Housing Trust’s communications function. This role will shape and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that elevates the organization’s brand, amplifies its mission, and deepens engagement with key stakeholders across the affordable housing ecosystem. 

The Communications Director will lead staff and consultants while partnering across departments to ensure a consistent, compelling organizational voice across all communications channels and audiences. This is an opportunity to serve as the strategic architect of Housing Trust’s public presence and storytelling while helping advance affordable housing solutions throughout the Bay Area. 

Annual salary range: $140,000 – $170,000 

How you will spend your time 

Strategic Communications Leadership (75%) 

• Lead the development and execution of Housing Trust’s integrated communications strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational strategic and operational goals.  

• Lead annual communications planning and budgeting, including setting priorities, allocating resources, and measuring progress through reporting on reach, engagement, earned media, and digital analytics.  

• Serve as a primary communications advisor to executive leadership and the Board, providing strategic counsel on messaging, brand positioning, and public affairs.  

• Set the vision and direction for Housing Trust’s brand identity, ensuring consistency across all internal and external communications.  

• Direct the organization’s storytelling strategy, ensuring content and narratives clearly reflect Housing Trust’s impact, mission, and differentiators within the affordable housing landscape.  

• Direct media relations and public affairs strategy in partnership with external PR consultants, serving as organizational spokesperson when appropriate.  

• Oversee editorial strategy and content planning across digital, print, social media, and earned media channels.  

• Direct production of the Annual Report, thought leadership content, and strategic communications materials.  

• Manage external speaking opportunities and panel placements for Housing Trust leadership.  

• Serve as a hands-on content creator and editor across multiple communications platforms.  

• Represent Housing Trust on affordable housing industry communications committees, working groups, and convenings.  

• Support housing policy and advocacy efforts by translating legislative and regulatory developments into clear communications for key audiences.  

• Develop and maintain crisis communications protocols and serve as the primary communications lead for rapid-response messaging.  

Team and Department Leadership (15%) 

• Lead, mentor, and directly supervise the Communications and Development Assistant while providing oversight and direction to communications consultants.  

• Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous learning.  

• Set performance goals and conduct regular evaluations for direct reports.  

• Oversee the organization’s CRM and contact database strategy, ensuring effective management of media, partner, funder, and stakeholder relationships.  

Event and Investor Communications (10%) 

• Provide strategic communications direction for events, including invitations, press kits, and stakeholder announcements.  

• Partner with the Development team to shape messaging for funder outreach and capital-raising campaigns.  

• Lead communications surrounding major funding announcements and lending milestones.  

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, business, marketing, communications, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.  

• 7–10 years of progressive communications experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.  

• Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated communications strategies for a mission-driven or nonprofit organization.  

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with experience serving as a presenter and organizational spokesperson.  

• Experience directing media relations strategy, including managing external PR consultants or agencies.  

• Proven track record in brand management and content strategy.  

• Experience managing and developing staff and cross-functional teams.  

• Familiarity with email marketing platforms, CRM systems, and graphic design tools.  

• Experience managing departmental budgets and vendor relationships.  

• Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate organizational goals into impactful communications programs.  

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Knowledge of affordable housing, community development finance, or the broader nonprofit lending sector.  

• Demonstrated ability to quickly develop subject matter expertise in a mission-driven environment.  

What’s in it for you: 

Housing Trust offers a competitive compensation package, including a bonus plan and comprehensive benefits. 

Total Compensation and Benefits 

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid for employees, with 50% of premiums covered for eligible dependents.  

• Employer-funded 401(k) contribution of 3%, plus an additional employer match of up to 2%.  

• Generous paid time off, including three weeks of vacation, twelve paid sick days, eleven paid holidays, and a paid year-end office shutdown.  

• Eligibility for an annual performance-based bonus.  

• Tuition reimbursement program and additional benefits.  

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Housing Trust is an equal opportunity employer to all regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, actual or perceived gender identity, age, or sexual orientation. Housing Trust is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive organization. We are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting diversity in our workforce and leadership to reflect the communities we serve. We believe differences in lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and diversity of thought are our strongest assets and contribute to our success. 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. 

#AS1