The Rockefeller Foundation is seeking an experienced and strategic communications professional for the position of Director, Program Influence, Health in New York, United States. The full-time leadership role focuses on advancing the Foundation’s health priorities through strategic communications, policy engagement, advocacy, storytelling, and stakeholder mobilization.
The successful candidate will work closely with senior program, communications, and policy leaders to translate evidence and complex health initiatives into compelling narratives that influence policymakers, partners, investors, philanthropic organizations, and the wider public. The position offers an annual salary of $175,000 to $210,000, depending on experience and other relevant factors.
Position Overview
The Director, Program Influence, Health will join the Foundation’s Program Influence team, which supports major programmatic priorities by using communications, policy, and advocacy to strengthen institutional influence. Approximately 85% of the role will focus on Health program priorities, while the remaining 15% will support cross-program and institutional initiatives.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Program Integration, with additional reporting relationships to the Senior Vice Presidents for Health and Strategic Communications, the Director will operate as a hands-on strategic contributor. The position requires close collaboration with program leadership, communications specialists, policy and advocacy teams, and external stakeholders.
The role is based at the Rockefeller Foundation’s New York office. The successful candidate is expected to work in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Key Responsibilities
The Director will develop and implement evidence-based program influence strategies designed to advance the Foundation’s health objectives. This will include identifying priority audiences, developing engagement plans, expanding media visibility, and increasing interest among public, private, and philanthropic investors.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Developing strategic communications, policy, and advocacy approaches for Health program priorities.
- Identifying evidence, impact stories, and proof points that can strengthen the Foundation’s external narrative.
- Translating complex health initiatives and technical information into compelling messages for policymakers, partners, investors, and philanthropic audiences.
- Developing strategic narratives that align Health program activities with the Foundation’s broader institutional messaging.
- Identifying and leading high-profile convenings, events, and strategic moments at regional, global, and multilateral levels.
- Representing the Foundation and its leadership at external forums and influential international events.
- Collaborating with Communications, Policy & Advocacy, Connected Leaders, and media-focused teams to amplify program priorities.
- Supporting annual content and channel planning while using audience insights and analytics to measure reach, recognition, and influence.
- Ensuring program communications comply with institutional editorial standards, messaging frameworks, voice, and visual identity.
- Working with regional teams to assess policy risks and validate impact claims before external publication.
- Advising senior program leaders on narrative positioning and strategic storytelling.
- Managing project timelines, deliverables, consultants, vendors, and grantees.
- Contributing to Board-level materials and cross-Foundation learning initiatives.
Education and Professional Experience
Candidates are generally expected to have at least 10 years of experience in strategic communications, policy, advocacy, or closely related fields. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline is also required.
Strong candidates should demonstrate a sound understanding of international public health and preferably have experience working with international health organizations. Experience working in or with low- and middle-income countries is particularly valuable.
The position requires professionals who can manage multiple complex workstreams and stakeholders within a fast-paced, matrixed organization. Candidates should possess exceptional stakeholder engagement, coalition-building, writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Experience in media relations, digital strategy, content creation, crisis communications, and emerging media platforms is also important. Familiarity with social media, podcasts, creator and influencer channels, and other digital platforms will strengthen an application.
Preferred Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate will be comfortable working across nonprofit, government, and corporate environments, particularly in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the United States. Experience designing and leading high-profile convenings and representing organizations at international forums is preferred.
The Rockefeller Foundation is seeking an individual who is strategic, entrepreneurial, creative, self-motivated, and capable of turning complex information into practical influence strategies.
Important competencies include strategic thinking, collaboration, action orientation, complexity management, adaptability, and talent development. The successful candidate should be comfortable experimenting with new approaches, learning from results, building partnerships, and identifying opportunities to strengthen organizational impact.
Salary and Benefits
The Director, Program Influence, Health position offers a stated annual salary range of $175,000 to $210,000. Actual compensation may vary according to experience and other relevant factors.
The Rockefeller Foundation also provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, a 401(k) retirement plan, parental leave, and various forms of paid time off.
About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a global philanthropy focused on improving human well-being through collaborative partnerships involving science, technology, innovation, and strategic investment. Its work spans areas including health, food, energy, and finance.
The Foundation emphasizes values including transparency, optimism, accountability, collaboration, trust, and equity. It also promotes evidence-based decision-making, innovation, diverse perspectives, and the amplification of marginalized voices.
Application Information
Qualified professionals interested in the Director, Program Influence, Health position are encouraged to review the official vacancy details and submit their applications through The Rockefeller Foundation’s recruitment platform.
Position: Director, Program Influence, Health
Location: New York, NY, United States
Employment Type: Full-time
Salary: $175,000–$210,000 annually
Experience: Generally 10+ years
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
Work Arrangement: New York office, Monday–Thursday
Employer: The Rockefeller Foundation
