Director of Communications

About Us

Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) is a non-profit organization local to Portland, OR serving underserved patients in primary care, internal medicine, dental services, and more. Our patient-centered approach honors the unique needs and circumstances of each individual. NHC sees people, not problems, and recognizes that time spent in a doctor's office is only one factor in a person's overall health. Our integrated clinical teams work in partnership with patients, their families, and the communities we serve to provide whole-person care, prevention, and ongoing support.

Why Work With Us

We are passionate about providing medical and dental services to the underserved population across the greater Portland area. Our employees voted NHC a Top Workplace in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

• 20 days of PTO (based on full-time employment)
• 9 paid holidays
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Quarterly wellness reimbursements
• Generous 401k retirement plan with employer match
• Employer-paid disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and life insurance

About the Role

The Director of Communications provides strategic leadership and oversight of all communications, marketing, community relations, and brand management functions at NHC. This position is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies that increase visibility and community engagement in support of the organization's mission. The role requires collaboration with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team (ELT), and Board of Directors to ensure all internal and external messaging aligns with NHC's mission to provide high-quality, accessible care to all individuals, regardless of income or insurance status.

This is a hybrid role (2 days in office, 3 days remote), full-time, and exempt.

Responsibilities

Communications & Marketing

• Serve as NHC's primary media spokesperson, ensuring consistent, brand-aligned messaging across all platforms.
• Oversee brand management and engagement strategies to promote NHC's mission internally and externally.
• Direct digital presence, including website, social media, and digital marketing campaigns to increase awareness and engagement.
• Lead internal and external messaging strategies for staff, patients, donors, policymakers, and the community.
• Guide public relations and media engagement efforts to strengthen NHC's visibility and influence.
• Produce and oversee organizational publications, including newsletters, annual reports, and press releases.
• Develop and maintain brand messaging frameworks and communications style guides for consistency.
• Execute audience-specific communications strategies for patients, donors, policymakers, community partners, and staff.
• Lead crisis communications response, including Incident Command Center (ICC) support and reputational risk management.
• Track and analyze communications performance metrics to inform and improve strategy.

Patient & Community Storytelling

• Develop and steward a patient and community storytelling program to humanize NHC's mission for donors, media, and policymakers.
• Ensure all patient- and community-facing communications meet plain language and health literacy standards, with accessibility for multilingual and low-literacy audiences.
• Champion an anti-racist, culturally competent communications approach across all platforms.

Community and Stakeholder Relations

• Pursue strategic partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and local stakeholders to expand NHC's brand reach and referral network.
• Oversee community relations initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
• Guide educational campaigns promoting health literacy and awareness of NHC's services.
• Provide communications strategy and support to the Advancement team for donor and policymaker engagement.

Leadership & Administration

• Lead, mentor, and evaluate Communications team members, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Oversee budgeting for Communications functions, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Promote workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion across all communications activities.
• Support executive-level special projects, including All Staff meetings, Executive Town Halls, proposals, and strategic initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field (required).
• Master's degree (preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible communications and marketing experience, including at least 4 years in senior leadership.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-channel communications campaigns, media relations, and brand management.
• Experience in a nonprofit, community health, or healthcare setting (strongly preferred).
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Skills

• Exceptional written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
• Strong public affairs capabilities.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic communications plans with measurable results.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and foster collaboration.
• Proficiency in digital marketing and social media platforms.
• Experience developing plain language, health-literate content for underserved audiences.
• Experience with crisis communications plans and rapid response protocols.
• Proficiency in communications analytics tools to translate data into actionable strategy.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, cultural competency, and anti-racist communications practices.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all communications practices.

Working Conditions

• Regularly sits for extended periods while working on a computer; requires dexterity and ability to differentiate color and screen brightness.
• Frequently stands and walks for meetings and events.
• Occasionally lifts or moves materials weighing 20–25 lbs, and up to 40–50 lbs.
• Moderate noise level typical of office environments.
• Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.
• Travel required during the workday for meetings and events.

Employment offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks, background checks, drug screening, tuberculosis testing, and any position-specific credentialing or licensure requirements.