Senior Program Officer

About the Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.  

At RWJF, we work toward three Generational Goals to transform health in our lifetime: Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing, Equitable and Accountable Public Health and Healthcare Systems, and Healthy and Equitable Community Conditions.

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration enable our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues and support a culture of belonging. Part of this work includes actively shaping an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.  

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the director, Foundation Voice, the senior communications officer, Policy, is responsible for providing strategic communications counsel that translates complex policy priorities, legislative and advocacy environments, and emerging issues into integrated communications direction that advances RWJF's One Voice approach, which guides how RWJF’s voice and those of its grantees, peers, partners, and the health equity field overall unite harmonically with maximum impact. Core responsibilities include: (1) working collaboratively with others to develop, implement, and manage communications for and about the Foundation’s initiatives that address the root causes of structural racism; (2) initiating, interpreting, and synthesizing communications research to help the Foundation develop messaging that engages and activates audiences across political, ideological, and cultural perspectives; and (3) leading and managing teams of communications professionals, including external firms and contractors, to develop communications plans to help amplify the voice of the Foundation and our grantees and partners to achieve desired objectives.

RWJF has redesigned its Communications Department around three integrated teams: Voice Strategy sets direction, the Communications Studio brings that strategy to life, and Operations provides the infrastructure that enables the work. The senior communications officer, Policy, role sits within the Voice Strategy team.

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the senior communications officer is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and to the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.

RWJF is an institution in transformation. We are redefining our long-term outcomes with communities at the center and reexamining foundational questions about how and where we work. 

Successful candidates will bring a track record of navigating organizations under transformation: creating clarity while new structures settle, earning trust across teams absorbing change, holding standards when the ground is shifting, and helping institutions tell the truth about themselves as they pursue their mission with confidence.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Translate program strategies, research, field intelligence, and emerging opportunities into clear communications strategic plans with defined narratives and measurable objectives that advances  RWJF’s broader communications objectives and organizational priorities.
• Shape and prioritize communications priorities by assessing strategic importance, complexity, timing, and intended impact and recommending where communications effort should be focused in order to strengthen, engage, and activate target audiences to act around key narratives and policy changes.
• Embed health equity and Truth, Repair, and Transformation principles into communications counsel, message framing, constituent engagement, and prioritization so support advances RWJF priorities in ways that are inclusive, audience-aware, and aligned to One Voice.
• Serve as communications counselor to vice presidents, associate vice presidents, and other internal constituents, clarifying objectives, sharpening choices, and aligning communications approaches to audience needs and organizational goals.
• Develop strategic direction, briefs, and decision points that enable the Communications Studio and other communications partners to execute high-impact campaigns with coherence, quality, and consistency while maintaining alignment through handoff and delivery
• Refine communications recommendations as priorities evolve by incorporating audience insight, feedback, and learning from prior work to strengthen future strategic direction.
• Manage assigned budgets and associated contracts and vendor relationships that provide strategic communications expertise and counsel.
• Distinguish high-value communications opportunities from lower-value activity and prioritize based on mission, audience, timing, complexity, and organizational impact.
• Convert complex program, policy, research, and field inputs into clear communications strategy and audience-relevant direction.
• Advise internal collaborators with credibility and clarity, helping them make sharper choices about objectives, positioning, sequencing, and amplification aligned with the One Voice strategy.
• Fit discrete program needs into RWJF’s broader communications framework so work advances One Voice priorities.
• Bring together the right communications partners around a shared direction and clear brief without relying on direct authority.
• Identify timely opportunities and emerging sensitivities early and adjust recommendations accordingly.
• Use insight, feedback, and changing context to refine strategy and improve future recommendations.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to racial and health equity and to the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Led or advised communications strategy for complex initiatives, programs, or issue areas rather than serving primarily as a task executor.
• Translated complex subject matter into clear messaging, narrative direction, and communications approaches for internal and external audiences.
• Worked across multiple constituent groups with different priorities and levels of communications fluency and built alignment around a shared direction.
• Shaped communications priorities by weighing strategic importance, complexity, timing, and organizational impact.
• Developed briefs, strategic direction, or decision points for cross-functional communications partners responsible for execution.
• Supported initiatives that required sound judgment in sensitive, high-visibility, or changing contexts.
• Used research, audience insight, feedback, or performance learning to develop and strengthen communications strategic recommendations.
• Developed and managed budgets; Hired and managed vendors, consultants, and project timelines.
• Minimum of ten years of experience with at least (5) years of experience specifically related to strategic communications in a policy-related environment.
• Master’s degree in relevant field of study. Additional relevant experience equivalent can substitute for an advanced degree.
• Professional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to travel to Princeton, N.J. or Washington, D.C. office for relevant internal meetings and other in-person events as requested by your people leader.
• Ability to travel, as needed for grantee meetings, conferences, site visits, and community events, up to 30%.

Candidates whose experience exceeds the minimum requirements will be given particular consideration for a higher placement within the salary range:

• 10 years of relevant experience operating effectively in complex, mission-driven, policy-adjacent, philanthropic, public health, or similarly matrixed environments.
• 15 years of relevant experience operating effectively in complex, mission-driven, policy-adjacent, philanthropic, public health, or similarly matrixed environments.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The senior communications officer will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. The incumbent will be required to attend meetings, both in person and off-site via phone or videoconference. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. RWJF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position’s Assigned Office Location

This position is assigned to our Washington, D.C. office. 

Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP) Explained

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a model we call Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP). RWJF’s new operating model is the infrastructure (e.g., policies, practices, protocols, procedures, systems) that forms the basis for how the day-to-day operations are managed, culture is built and nurtured, and mission is delivered. This model is designed to meet the needs of the organization while giving employees as much flexibility as possible. On-site participation is determined by job responsibilities, organizational and team-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses as needed to meet those expectations. Learn more about our operating model and in-office requirements.

Salary

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $161,500. Candidates who the Foundation determines have directly related experience exceeding the minimum requirements outlined above may be provided a higher starting salary of up to $177,650. All salary offers are non-negotiable.

Benefits

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

Transition Stipend

A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job. 

How to Apply

• Applicants should submit a resume and required letter of interest by the stated deadline.·       
• Internal RWJF applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest through the Internal Jobs Hub app in Workday.

E-Verify and Employment Eligibility

RWJF participates in E-Verify. Click here for more information.

Application Deadline

Tuesday, October 19, 2026, by 10 a.m. ET