VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS
Classification: Exempt

Organizational Overview

Smile Train is the world’s leading cleft focused organization. Our goal is to transform the lives of every person impacted by a cleft lip or palate. We train and support doctors and medical professionals to provide our patients with free, life-changing, comprehensive cleft treatment. Our sustainable model has allowed us to reach more than 2 million children in 90+ countries in the past 25 years, and we still feel like we’ve just started. We are truly changing the world one smile at a time!

Make a Difference!

As Smile Train’s communications strategy leader, the Vice President will serve as a collaborative and visionary executive, combining strategic insight, high emotional intelligence, and thought leadership to advance Smile Train’s global vision. This leader will be a passionate advocate for Smile Train’s purpose — to empower local medical professionals and create sustainable, long-term solutions for children and families affected by clefts around the world.

In close collaboration with Smile Train’s Executive Leadership Team, the Vice President will provide strategic direction and full accountability for a comprehensive, purpose-driven communications strategy that elevates the organization’s global voice and inspires philanthropic engagement. Through communications excellence and creative storytelling, this leader will bring Smile Train’s vision — and the many powerful stories of its programs, partners, and patients — to life in ways that strengthen connection, elevate understanding, and expand global impact.

Leading a high-performing team of communications professionals, the Vice President will foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

Working across Smile Train’s global footprint, this leader will ensure that communications not only reflect Smile Train’s collective purpose but also reinforce its standing as the world’s leading voice for cleft care, sustainability, and global health equity.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop a deep understanding of Smile Train’s vision, purpose, and strategic priorities to ensure alignment in all communications efforts.
• Support fundraising initiatives and amplify programmatic impacts.
• Design and implement a communications strategy that effectively supports Smile Train’s organizational goals and amplifies its impact.
• Serve as a leader and spokesperson for Smile Train, representing the organization across various platforms and engagements.
• Strengthen and evolve Smile Train’s brand to highlight its sustainable model in cleft care and far-reaching global impact.
• Ensure seamless integration of strategic communications across all key audiences, including donors and supporters, programmatic partners, global stakeholders, and Smile Train’s internal team and global Boards.

Management, Accountability, Culture

• Lead and inspire a high-performing global Communications team across public and media relations, social media, editorial, creative, content strategy, and organizational and internal communications.
• Recruit, develop, and retain top talent while fostering continuous growth and innovation.
• Build a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, ownership, transparency, and accountability.
• Empower team members with clear direction, resources, and autonomy to excel. Encouraging an organization mindset.
• Set and manage clear goals and metrics aligned with Smile Train’s strategic priorities.
• Drive operational excellence through efficient, transparent systems and workflows.
• Strengthen cross-department team collaboration with Fundraising, Programs, and Operations.
• Address team and departmental challenges promptly and fairly, maintaining morale and alignment with Smile Train’s values, encouraging a one-organization mindset.
• Model integrity, ownership, and results-driven leadership that advances organizational purpose.
• Communicate openly and take ownership to build trust, clarity, and alignment across teams.
• Recognize success and deliver constructive, empathetic feedback to promote and create team and organizational oneness.

Brand and Communications Management

• Refine and elevate Smile Train’s global brand identity through powerful storytelling that deepens awareness, credibility, and philanthropic engagement.
• Lead integrated, results-driven communications in close partnership with Smile Train’s Development team to craft compelling narratives that inspire giving and strengthen donor and supporter connections.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across departments and global teams to ensure consistent messaging and shared success.
• Oversee the strategic alignment of digital, media, and content initiatives that advance Smile Train’s purpose and visibility.
• Optimize storytelling across programs and regions, ensuring communications assets are effectively leveraged to engage stakeholders worldwide.
• Champion innovation and creativity in content, campaigns, and media strategy to amplify Smile Train’s global voice and influence.

Oversee Public Relations

• Develop and ensure the execution of effective communication and media relations strategies
• Conduct ongoing media outreach to the press to generate awareness and publish timely news through press release development, media pitches, media alerts, op-eds, etc.
• Oversee public relations strategy and media vendor partnerships, ensuring agencies and align with Smile Train’s goals, brand voice, and strategic priorities.
• Oversee social media content, campaigns, and strategy to enhance engagement, grow reach, and strengthen Smile Train’s brand presence across all platforms.

Thought Leadership

• The Vice President will serve as a key thought leader and strategic voice for Smile Train—translating our purpose, expertise, and global impact into compelling narratives that shape industry conversations and inspire philanthropic partnership.
• Elevate Smile Train’s visibility and influence through clear, authentic communication that positions the organization as the definitive authority in comprehensive cleft care and global health innovation.
• Guide the development of thought leadership content, speeches, and public engagements for senior executives, this role will ensure Smile Train’s story resonates across diverse audiences—from global partners to media to donors.

Global Advocacy and Collaboration

• Serve as a visible and respected global ambassador for Smile Train.
• Lead the development of high-impact communications campaigns that drive press coverage, social awareness, and programmatic and fundraising success.
• Foster opportunities for stakeholders to engage and share feedback, ensuring consistent integration of diverse perspectives into communications strategies.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a seasoned communications leader with a proven ability to develop and execute global strategies and inspire teams. Key qualifications include:

Experience and Expertise

• Ten years or more of significant experience in global communications leadership, ideally in a non-profit or public health context, but not mandatory.
• Proven ability to create and execute comprehensive, impact-driven communications strategies.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in expanding and strengthening an organization’s brand on a global scale.
• Must have led teams of five or more communication professionals.
• Advanced facilitation skills for collaboration across diverse teams and audiences.

Personal Attributes

• Must demonstrate a track record of the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and staff at all levels.
• Passion for Smile Train’s purpose and values.
• Strategic thinker with a balance of big-picture vision and detail-oriented execution.
• An inclusive leader with strong emotional intelligence, political savvy, and negotiation skills.
• Experience living and working in an international context is a plus

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.

Compensation

Salary Range: $150,000 to $180,000

Why You’ll Love Working Here!

• We’ve got you covered - Comprehensive health, pharmacy, dental, and vision coverage
• Plan for your future - 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Rest and recharge - generous PTO allotment, holidays, and sick time
• Family Matters - paid parental leave and family care benefits so you can focus on what matters most
• Learn and Grow - annual professional development stipend to keep your skills growing
• Work your way - Hybrid work flexibility out of our conveniently located Midtown Manhattan office
• Travel the world - opportunities for domestic and international travel to work with international colleagues and programs and see our impact in action

Application Process

Smile Train is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

To apply, please complete the application online. Include your CV and a cover letter explaining why you would be a good fit for Smile Train and this role. Only those who provide a cover letter as directed will be considered. We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.

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