Director, Communications in Arlington, Virginia at AHC Inc

Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization committed to developing affordable, workforce, and mixed-income rental housing in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. With a resident-centric approach, we manage over 8,000 apartments in 54 communities, providing educational programs and social services through our Resident Services team.

About the Team

The Community Relations department provides strategic fundraising, public relations, and crisis communications services for AHC and its subsidiaries.

About the Job

The Director of Communications leads AHC’s internal and external communications strategy and serves as a trusted communications advisor to the CEO, Vice President of Community Relations, and senior leadership. The Director strengthens AHC’s visibility and reputation, supports organizational priorities, and ensures clear, consistent, and effective communications across the organization.

The Director leads communications for significant organizational initiatives, including strategic priorities, organizational change, major announcements, and high-profile events. The position also serves as AHC’s communications lead during significant incidents and crises, coordinating with leadership, relevant departments, and third parties to protect AHC’s reputation and ensure communications are accurate, timely, coordinated, and appropriate.

The ideal candidate is a strategic communications professional and exceptional writer with strong judgment, organizational skills, and the ability to manage sensitive issues, competing priorities, and complex communications with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

Include but are not limited to the following:

Communications Strategy

· Lead AHC’s internal and external communications strategy in alignment with its mission, priorities, and goals.

· Serve as a communications advisor to the President & CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and department leaders.

· Maintain AHC’s organizational voice, messaging, and brand standards across departments and communications channels.

· Develop communications plans for major initiatives, announcements, campaigns, and events.

· Identify opportunities to increase awareness of AHC’s work, impact, leadership, and role in affordable housing and community development.

Crisis Communications & Media Relations

· Lead communications during significant organizational, property, resident, employee, safety, operational, technology, or reputational incidents.

· Maintain crisis communications protocols, templates, escalation procedures, and spokesperson guidance.

· Coordinate with leadership, Human Resources, Property Management, Asset Management, Real Estate, Resident Services, Legal, Information Technology, and external partners during significant incidents.

· Develop and coordinate crisis communications, including employee and resident messages, media statements, talking points, FAQs, and stakeholder updates.

· Lead media relations, respond to media inquiries, develop press materials, and prepare executives for interviews and public appearances.

· Monitor media and emerging issues and advise leadership on reputational risks and appropriate responses.

Internal Communications & Organizational Change

· Lead communications for significant organizational changes, including technology implementations, operational changes, restructuring, policy changes, and strategic initiatives.

· Partner with leaders to clearly communicate what is changing, why it matters, the impact on employees and stakeholders, and any actions required.

· Translate complex organizational, technical, and operational information into clear, accessible communications.

· Develop employee announcements, leadership messages, FAQs, presentations, newsletters, and other internal communications.

Content & Executive Communications

· Develop and edit executive remarks, speeches, talking points, presentations, statements, articles, marketing and other leadership communications.

· Oversee AHC’s website, social media, newsletters, presentations, collateral, and other institutional communications.

· Develop compelling content that communicates AHC’s mission, accomplishments, developments, programs, and resident impact.

· Lead communications for major organizational events and high-profile external engagements.

Team & Communications Operations

· Supervise and develop the Manager of Communications (who manages the Communications Coordinator) and provide direction to interns, contractors, and other communications resources.

· Manage communications vendors, consultants, projects, budgets, timelines, and deliverables.

· Establish effective communications processes, standards, templates, and approval workflows.

· Advise departments on communications strategy and review high-profile materials for clarity, accuracy, consistency, and alignment with AHC’s brand.

Qualifications

The position requires a detail-oriented, creative individual who is an excellent writer, a multi-tasker, a leader, and a team player.

· Minimum of 10 years of experience in corporate or nonprofit communications, including oversight of websites, social media channels, and collateral marketing materials.

· Demonstrated experience developing and executing communications for organizational change, including technology implementations, operational changes, or other major initiatives.

· Experience working with media outlets and reporters.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills.

· Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and communications software such as Canva.

· Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

· Ability to work independently as well as in a team.

Working at AHC

·AHC has a Hybrid Work Schedule with staff working onsite on our core days (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday). Staff may work remotely on Wednesday and Friday.

AHC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; a health reimbursement account (HRA) for eligible employees; employer-paid life insurance; employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage; health and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA); a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching and discretionary contributions; voluntary benefits such as pet insurance, life and AD&D, identity theft, and legal coverage; transit and cellphone stipends; free parking; mental health support including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); paid federal holidays, including time off during Christmas week; paid vacation and sick leave; and professional development opportunities.

AHC is a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

AHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state and local law.