Organizational Overview

Celebrating our 35th anniversary in 2025, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) provides community care for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) people in philanthropy and works to increase the scale and impact of philanthropic resources aimed at advancing the inclusion, health, and wellbeing of AANHPI communities in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

Established in 1990, AAPIP is a justice-minded, national philanthropy-serving organization that provides unique community spaces for AANHPIs and allies in philanthropy. As a membership-based organization, AAPIP centers equity and justice in philanthropy to move money and build power for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities and an inclusive democracy. Anchored by a national team, AAPIP works across the country through a chapter network as sites of regional activism serving as a bridge between philanthropy and local non-profit organizations. These chapters are centers for place-based advocacy, information sharing, leadership development, community building, and networking around AANHPI issues and philanthropy.

Job Description

As a valued member of AAPIP’s growing team, the Director of Communications will oversee all aspects of strategic communications, brand stewardship, and marketing to advance our two main organizational priorities: 1) provide community care for AANHPI philanthropy professionals; and 2) advocate for more philanthropic investment to meet AANHPI community needs.

This role requires both an experienced strategic thinker skilled at envisioning and influencing the bigger picture through thoughtful and targeted communications, as well as a tech-savvy, detailed-oriented tactical practitioner that can execute on day-to-day activities. The Director of Communications will be a clear and concise writer, editor, and digital communicator who is impact-focused and eager to utilize data and metrics to increase visibility and influence. We are excited to welcome to this role a team player with a collaborative spirit, eager to work across internal teams and with external stakeholders to advance the mission of AAPIP and work toward philanthropic systems change. The ideal candidate will have experience with AANHPI communities, knowledge of philanthropy, and a demonstrated passion for racial and social justice.

The position will report to the Interim Vice President of Partnerships and Communications.

This role is remote and will require travel for conferences and staff retreats.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned): 

Strategic Communications:

• With feedback from the internal team and external stakeholders, implement brand guidelines to ensure alignment across communication efforts and that emphasize a strong, consistent, organizational voice that reinforces AAPIP’s mission, vision and values.
• Create key messages that accurately reflect AAPIP, and its positions on issues and current events that affect AANHPI communities.
• Develop and execute strategy for aligned communications campaigns that further organizational goals and drive engagement at AAPIP programs, special events and conferences.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to position AAPIP as a thought leader in the field of philanthropy around racial and social justice, particularly as it relates to our communities.

Digital Expression:

• Oversee AAPIP.org
  • Ensure that aapip.org reflects the AAPIP brand and is aligned with communication goals.
  • Manage all content, graphics, and the program calendar so that our website reflects the most up-to-date account of AAPIP’s efforts and meets or exceeds industry accessibility standards.
  • Drive site traffic through SEO campaigns and targeted content partnerships.
  • Consistently review site analytics to gain insight on how to improve and streamline communication effectiveness.
• E-communications
  • Create and execute upon an e-communications calendar that aligns with the overall communications strategy and includes social media across all active channels, as well as e-newsletters directed to various stakeholders (general, member-only, chapter-specific, etc.) with a particular eye to pacing and consistency.
  • Create related visual assets and promote AAPIP programs, special events, and the annual conference through all digital platforms to drive registration and meaningful engagement.
  • Grow AAPIP email subscribers and social media followers through targeted campaigns using analytics and implementing best practices across channels.
  • Optimize CRM and email platform for communications efficiency and effectiveness.

Relationship Building and Management:

• Represent AAPIP with aligned partners to coordinate campaigns that further mutual goals.
• Cultivate media relationships to position AAPIP as a go-to source about AANHPI philanthropy.
• Manage all communications partners and vendors and direct their efforts, including web maintenance, graphic designers, etc.

Job Qualifications

Education/Experience 

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in strategic communications and marketing. 
• Commitment to AANHPI communities, communities of color, and racial and social justice are a must. 
• A solid understanding of and experience working in the philanthropic sector is strongly preferred. 
• Experience in a membership or chapter-based organization is also strongly preferred. 

Skills & Qualifications 

• Proven track record in strategic communications, including developing and executing communication plans and supporting brand and voice alignment.
• Excellent written, speaking, and editing skills with the ability to diplomatically seek out and synthesize complex and nuanced information from disparate sources into an easy to digest format.
• Experience with growing digital media through effective and channel-specific messaging and tactics. 
• Demonstrated ability to gather and incorporate feedback and various metrics to inform and evolve communications campaigns.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and always exhibit a high level of discretion, diplomacy, and integrity.
• Top-notch project management (time management and organizational) skills.
• High level of relational awareness, emotional intelligence, and a community-oriented spirit.
• Ability to prioritize, organize and complete multiple tasks with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines within a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• A self-starter who is also a collaborative and open-minded team player committed to excellence, and demonstrates a growth mindset. Thinks creatively to solve problems, and works with a sense of humor and humility. 
• The ability to both think at a high level and execute the tactics necessary to implement.
• Familiarity with communication tools and software (e.g., content management systems (Neon), email marketing platforms, social media management tools).
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Zoom, Slack, and Dropbox are required.
• Graphic and web design experience are a major plus (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and WordPress).
• Knowledge of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and digital marketing analytics is also a plus.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $100,000-$125,000 depending on experience. Benefits include full medical, dental, and vision. 

FLSA Status: Exempt

How to Apply

Please submit your cover letter and resume to jobs@aapip.org with the Subject Line: Director of Communications. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis with priority given to applications received on or before February 14, 2025.

AAPIP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, serostatus, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin. We recognize that various historically marginalized communities – particularly women, LGBTQ people, and people of color – are less likely to apply and are underrepresented in positions of leadership in philanthropy. We encourage these communities to apply even if you don’t meet 100 percent of the qualifications.