Position: Senior Communications Officer
Department: Communications
Reporting to: Communications Director
FLSA Status: Exempt or Non-Exempt
Location: Bentonville, Arkansas

The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) is seeking a skilled, highly motivated, and strategic communications professional to join the team as Senior Communications Officer. The ideal teammate will serve as a senior-level generalist responsible for advancing high-priority communications initiatives across the Walton Family Foundation and affiliated entities. This role blends strategic advisory work with hands-on execution and demonstrated ability to navigate complex environments.

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About the Position

The Senior Communications Officer plays a central role in advancing high-priority, cross-cutting communications initiatives across the Walton Family Foundation and affiliated entities.

This is a high-ownership, high-range role requiring both strategic thinking and hands-on execution. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable managing complex issues, drafting leadership materials, facilitating internal meetings, and moving projects across the finish line. The role requires a generalist mindset, someone who can fluidly shift between crisis response, strategic planning, internal alignment, grant communications, and stakeholder engagement without losing clarity or momentum.

What you will do

Lead communications strategy, execution, and internal strategic guidance for special initiatives connected to WFF and philanthropic initiatives. Step in quickly to manage emerging issues or time sensitive communications needs. Facilitate and manage operations for internal meetings. Draft and refine materials across formats, including board ready memos and rapid response statements. Own execution details while maintaining a strategic lens. Manage communications centric grants initiatives and grantmaking. Manage planning and support of foundation speaking engagements for foundation representatives. Partner with senior leadership and family stakeholders on high sensitivity projects requiring strategic messaging and coordination. Serve as a central point of coordination for special communications requests and cross cutting projects. Identify and manage reputational risks in collaboration with program, legal, and leadership teams. Develop messaging frameworks, briefing materials, and communications plans for complex or emerging issues. Build and maintain intake processes that ensure clarity, prioritization, and alignment across special projects. Coordinate across WFF and affiliated entities to ensure consistency of messaging and positioning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications plans for high-priority special initiatives.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders and family members as needed.
• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to senior leaders and family stakeholders on high-priority initiatives and sensitive matters.
• Build trusted relationships with principal-level partners and affiliated entities to ensure alignment and clarity of messaging.
• Navigate nuanced regional dynamics, particularly within Arkansas, ensuring communications reflect local context and long-term relationships.
• Provide counsel on reputational considerations related to other philanthropic initiatives and investments.
• Anticipate and mitigate risks associated with high-visibility activities.
• Lead issues management planning and scenario preparation for emerging risks.
• Establish and manage intake and workflow processes for special communications projects.
• Draft and review messaging, talking points, media responses, and internal materials.
• Track narrative developments and provide leadership visibility on influence signals.
• Partner with external firms, partner organization for execution support and alignment.

Who we are looking for

Skills needed

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and issues management capabilities.
• Ability to navigate sensitive and high-discretion environments.
• Experience coordinating across multiple stakeholders and leadership levels.
• Ability to operate with discretion and credibility in principle-level environments.
• Deep understanding of regional context, particularly in Arkansas or similar markets or ability to quickly master needed context.
• High emotional intelligence and relationship management skills.
• Ability to build and implement structured processes.

Qualifications required for your success

• 8+ years of communications experience, including strategic and issues management work.
• Experience advising senior leaders on complex communications matters.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience in philanthropy, policy, public affairs, or related sectors.

Additional Helpful Experience Includes

• Experience working within or advising family-led organizations or principals.
• Familiarity with the Arkansas region and its civic, philanthropic, and business landscape.
• Experience navigating communications in environments with overlapping philanthropic, business, and regional interests.

Personal attributes that support your success

• Demonstrates discretion, integrity, and expertise while serving as a trusted advisor to principals and colleagues.
• Collaborates respectfully and effectively with others, contributing to a supportive, team-oriented environment.
• Approaches challenges with curiosity, bold thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning and innovation.
• Maintains a strong focus on results, consistently exercising sound judgment and decision-making.
• Brings a visionary mindset, planning strategically for the future with imagination and insight.
• Committed to excellence and actively engages with others to accomplish shared goals.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.

Benefits Information

Compensation Range: $194k-$242k

Benefits Information: We offer a comprehensive and generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401 (k) retirement plan and paid time off.

About Walton Family Foundation

We are a family-led organization, supporting multiple generations of Sam and Helen Walton’s family.

We value trust, mutual respect, and a workplace where every associate belongs and can do their best work. We bring together talented people with different backgrounds and viewpoints, support their growth, and empower them to contribute meaningfully.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.