Director of Communications

Mission Statement (Who We Are)

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund's mission is to help families tackle childhood cancer by providing comprehensive financial, emotional, and practical support. From diagnosis to recovery and beyond, we are part of the team, allowing parents to solely focus on their child’s well-being. The Jay Fund's goal is to BE THERE for parents facing the unthinkable so they can be there for their families.

Opportunity Description

Under the supervision of the CEO and in collaboration with other members of senior management and staff, the Director of Communications develops, leads, and executes a comprehensive strategy for all internal and external communications required to build the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund. This role serves as the organization’s leading strategic and creative voice, ensuring brand clarity, message consistency, and mission alignment across all channels. The Director oversees marketing, branding, and public/media relations strategies, digital strategy, and communications collateral to elevate awareness, strengthen fundraising efforts, and position the Jay Fund as a leader in pediatric oncology psychosocial support.

Additionally, this role provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Jay Fund’s Celebrity Ambassador program, ensuring Celebrity Ambassadors are meaningfully engaged with the mission and that celebrity partnerships advance the organizational goals across fundraising, programs, brand visibility and mission delivery.

This position will be based out of our headquarters located in Jacksonville, FL.

Compensation: This position offers a salary range of $90,000 - $110,000.
Benefits include:

· Nine (9) paid holidays

· 10 days of PTO, plus 2 personal float days after first 90 days

· Access to an annual professional development budget to support continued learning, leadership growth, and industry engagement

· Access to medical reimbursement and a 3% retirement match after one year of employment

Essential duties and responsibilities

· Partners with senior management to develop a comprehensive communication strategy and plan to increase visibility, fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement and awareness of the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund among current and potential supporters, corporate and individual sponsors and donors.

• Works with leadership team and staff to identify internal and external communication opportunities (such as media, speaking opportunities, public events, grassroots campaigns, etc.) and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support each.

· With the Fundraising team, develops and executes communications to support all fundraising campaigns. Executes strategic communications initiatives to include writing creative briefs, managing all messaging to ensure all materials convey Jay Fund’s mission and message, including email marketing, direct mail, advertising and public relations.

· Creates, writes, edits and produces all forms of nonprofit correspondence to include but not limited to press releases, publications, videos, collateral, newsletters, social media content, correspondence for other executives, and other printed or digital materials.

· Develops and manages social media awareness strategies and campaigns including the development of a calendar for online content posting across all communication channels that engages audience segments and leads to measurable action.

· Develops and execute a strategic Celebrity Relations program that aligns ambassador engagement with the Jay Fund’s mission, brand standards, fundraising priorities, and long-term growth objectives.

• Works with consultants to support and enhance the reputation of the Jay Fund as an expert and leader in pediatric oncology.
• Works with the Program team in Jacksonville and New York/New Jersey to implement and optimize strategies to disseminate information and connect with patients’ families.
• Develops and manages relationships with media members, influencers, and community leaders. Actively cultivates new relationships to ensure press coverage and opportunities.
• Ability to serve as the spokesperson/voice for the organization when needed.
• Exercises judgment to prioritize media opportunities, prepare talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting materials, as needed.
• Provides detailed quantitative and qualitative tracking reports on various communication vehicles.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including special projects.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated written verbal, digital, and communications and presentation skills.
• Understanding of nonprofit communications.
• The creativity to produce exciting and interesting content across a variety of platforms including print and digital/social.
• Experience leading a communications team.
• Demonstrated experience in media relations and relationship management.
• Ability to respond to crisis or challenging situations quickly, calmly, and professionally.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and priorities while working on deadline.
• Experience using donor software (Raiser’s Edge NXT) and email marketing platform (Constant Contact)
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office products, especially Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate well with persons from diverse socioeconomic and cultural groups.

Education and Experience

· Bachelor's Degree in business, communication marketing or related field.

· 5+ years of experience in a leadership role in communications, marketing or brand management, digital marketing, ecommerce and/or direct marketing, preferably in a not for profit organization.

Writing Prompt

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund is committed to being a recognized leader in pediatric psychosocial care, supporting children tackling cancer and their families both financially and emotionally.

In 2025, the Jay Fund hosted 112 Emotional Support opportunities for pediatric oncology patients and their families. These experiences ranged from holiday celebrations and caregiver support gatherings to unique moments — including New York Yankees games and pizza making with Jacksonville Jaguars players.

Each event was intentionally designed to reduce isolation, strengthen resilience, and improve quality of life during treatment and recovery.

In 500 words or fewer, please write a newsletter story that:

· Illustrates how these experiences meaningfully impact families’ quality of life

· Positions the Jay Fund as a leader in pediatric psychosocial support

· Connects mission impact to donor investment and community partnership

· Balances emotional storytelling with strategic clarity

Your submission should demonstrate not only strong writing ability, but also an understanding of how communications advances mission, brand leadership, and fundraising outcomes.

Please submit your writing sample along with your resume and cover letter to Richard Naylor at richard@tcjayfund.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Experience:

• Senior leadership: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Jacksonville, FL 32240