Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change, AV is working to improve the lives of American families, strengthen their communities, and promote their economic opportunity.
The Communications team seeks to be an accelerant for AV’s philanthropic and policy missions. We work to strengthen AV’s brand and reputation, inform the public debate, and advance AV’s policy and advocacy goals.
The Director, Content will define AV’s voice and produce written and other content that advances AV’s mission. This role serves as the organization’s senior writer and editor, setting and maintaining editorial standards across owned content – including thought leadership, op-eds, and related advocacy materials, social media, and more. The Director will help to define AV’s overall content and channel strategy, in partnership with other communications and AV leaders. The Director will also manage a network of freelancers and partner with communications leaders and executives across AV.
This individual will report to the Executive Vice President, Communications, and will be based in AV’s Houston, TX, or Washington, D.C. office.
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Serve as the senior editorial voice, writing and editing for the AV Board, leadership team, and subject matter experts (e.g., opinion pieces, speeches, policy narratives, social copy, and external announcements)
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Develop content for advocacy and issue campaigns, major policy moments, and executive visibility initiatives
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Build and manage a network of writers, including freelancers, and set strategy and drive quality outputs across a distributed production model
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Strengthen AV’s approach to owned content, ensuring any output reflects the organization’s voice, mission, and strategic priorities
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Partner on the team’s overall editorial calendar and content pipeline
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Establish and maintain editorial standards, style guides, and other resources that govern quality across the team and external partners, including freelancers
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Help embed AI into the communications team’s operating model and workflows, including using AI and other tools to optimize content production
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Bachelor’s degree
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At least 10 years of experience in journalism, content strategy, communications, brand writing, or a related field, with a record of high-quality work across formats and audiences
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High tolerance for ambiguity and comfort working in a dynamic, initiative-based environment with shifting priorities and cross-team collaboration
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Exceptional writing and editing skills, including executive-level content, opinion and advocacy writing, and narrative work; ability to translate complex policy ideas into compelling narratives
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Experience managing writers, editors, or content teams, with the ability to maintain quality across a distributed production model
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Strong editorial judgment and strategic instincts; a thought partner who can shape content strategy, not just execute
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Experience working in or developing strategies for creative formats (e.g., media, visual storytelling)
The salary range for this position will be $160,000-$200,000.
AV is committed to providing a robust and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our current benefits package includes 100% paid employee premiums for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance; 20 days of paid time off, 16 paid holidays (including a winter break from December 24 to January 1), a hybrid policy that includes four days in office and one flexible day for remote work, and a summer schedule with alternating Fridays off beginning on Memorial Day and ending on Labor Day; paid parental leave; a 401k retirement savings plan with an employer match, profit-share contribution, and immediate vesting; pre-tax transit benefits; a professional development stipend; a charitable giving stipend; and an employee assistance program. In addition, a relocation bonus is available for candidates who will move for a position.
Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help AV achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of AV’s work culture.
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We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
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We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback
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We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills, with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects
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We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals
AV’s values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the AV team to make a difference.
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Respect for Ourselves & Others
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Audacious Action
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Collaborative Engagement
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Depth of Thought
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Clear Communication
AV is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive workplace. We are seeking applicants from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences and perspectives. Candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
