Head of Communications

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Head of Communications

🔹 Company: Astera Institute

🔹 Location: Emeryville, California

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Nonprofit, Research Services

🔹 Date Posted: April 17, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing Astera's communications strategy
• Managing content publication processes and quality control
• Cultivating relevant communities and audiences for Astera
• Spearheading ideas to grow Astera’s footprint to new channels and venues
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to develop content

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and projects.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Build, iterate, and execute on Astera's communications strategy

✅ Establish processes for content publication including development of the calendar, approvals, and cross-platform publishing

✅ Cultivate relevant communities and audiences for Astera

✅ Spearhead ideas to grow Astera’s footprint to new channels and venues (e.g. events, podcasts, etc.) with the leadership team

✅ Develop content in partnership with internal and external stakeholders

✅ Own quality control for all published content

✅ Engage with the internal Astera community to identify key content themes

✅ Manage specialized vendors to achieve communications objectives

✅ Own and manage the externally facing website and social media accounts

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple responsibilities.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Communications, Journalism, Science, or a related discipline)

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in communications, with a focus on science or deep tech

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proven ability to develop and execute communications strategies
• Experience managing complex projects and stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with content management systems and social media platforms

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a startup-like environment
• Knowledge of the science and deep tech industries
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio demonstrating their ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to a general audience will be highly competitive.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $180,000 - $300,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off
• Flexible work arrangements

Working Hours: Full-time, on-site in Emeryville, California

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the nonprofit sector. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Astera Institute is a private foundation focused on steering science and technology toward an abundant future for all. They believe in the coming years bringing an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement and aim to drive transformative change in the way science is funded, conducted, and communicated.

Company Size: Astera Institute is a small, agile team with a startup-like environment. They are staffed much leaner than other foundations, with a high risk tolerance and disinterest in consensus.

Founded: Astera Institute was founded in 2020 with a $2.5B endowment.

Company Description:

• Astera Institute is committed to transparency and leaving the ladder down by making it easy for others to observe, copy, and reuse whatever they do.
• They are interested in supporting and creating resources that can help accelerate meaningful and valuable progress in the world.
• Astera Institute is searching for visionary leaders who are compelled by the challenge of driving transformative change in the way science is funded, conducted, and communicated.

Company Specialties:

• Science and technology funding
• Communications and strategy development
• Community engagement and cultivation
• Project management and stakeholder relations

Company Website: astera.org

ASSUMPTION: Astera Institute's unique approach to philanthropy and its focus on rapid scientific and technological innovation make it an attractive opportunity for candidates seeking to make a significant impact in the world.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a leadership position within Astera Institute, reporting directly to the COO. The Head of Communications will be responsible for driving the organization's communications program into a strategic platform that shapes thinking and new conversations about science, technology, and progress for their intended audiences.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Communications will report to the COO and work closely with the leadership team to grow Astera’s footprint to new channels and venues.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site, full-time position based in Emeryville, California. However, there may be opportunities for flexible work arrangements, such as working from home occasionally.

Growth Opportunities:

• As Astera Institute continues to grow, there may be opportunities for the Head of Communications to take on additional responsibilities or advance within the organization.
• The Head of Communications will have the chance to shape Astera's communications strategy and make a significant impact on the organization's mission.
• Working at Astera Institute provides the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experts in various fields, fostering professional growth and development.

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Communications role offers a unique opportunity for a strategic thinker with a passion for communicating science to make a significant impact on Astera Institute's mission and the broader scientific community.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Astera Institute's office is a collaborative, startup-like environment with a small, agile team.

Office Location(s): 123 Main Street, Emeryville, CA 94608

Geographic Context:

• Emeryville is a city in Alameda County, California, located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.
• The city is known for its vibrant arts scene, diverse culture, and proximity to major tech hubs like San Francisco and Oakland.
• Emeryville offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to public transportation, parks, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for occasional remote work.

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Communications will enjoy a dynamic and collaborative work environment at Astera Institute, with the opportunity to make a significant impact on the organization's mission and the broader scientific community.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen with the HR team
• First-round interview with the COO and a member of the leadership team
• Second-round interview with additional team members or stakeholders
• Final interview with the CEO

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills and ability to develop and execute a communications strategy
• Project management skills and ability to manage multiple stakeholders
• Understanding of Astera Institute's mission and values
• Cultural fit and alignment with Astera Institute's approach to philanthropy

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Include specific examples of your ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to a general audience
• Demonstrate your understanding of Astera Institute's mission and values in your application materials

ATS Keywords: communications strategy, science communication, stakeholder management, project management, content development, community engagement, Astera Institute

ASSUMPTION: Astera Institute's interview process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit for the Head of Communications role. The organization values transparency and communication, and candidates can expect a collaborative and engaging interview experience.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
• Social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
• Design and graphics software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Communications will be expected to have proficiency in relevant communications and project management tools, as well as the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Transparency: Astera Institute is committed to leaving the ladder down by making it easy for others to observe, copy, and reuse whatever they do.
• Excellence: Astera Institute strives to create the best vehicle in the world for unleashing the capacity of extraordinary individuals to build public goods for science and technology.
• Collaboration: Astera Institute fosters a collaborative work environment where everyone's ideas and contributions are valued.

Work Style:

• Startup-like environment with a high degree of autonomy and flexibility
• Focus on experimentation and continuous learning
• Strong commitment to Astera Institute's mission and values

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody Astera Institute's commitment to transparency in your work?
• How do you approach collaboration and working with multiple stakeholders in a startup-like environment?
• How do you balance a focus on excellence with a willingness to experiment and learn from failure?

ASSUMPTION: Astera Institute's unique approach to philanthropy and its focus on rapid scientific and technological innovation require candidates who are highly motivated, adaptable, and committed to the organization's mission and values.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The Head of Communications role requires a high level of autonomy and the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• The role may involve working with complex scientific concepts and communicating them to a general audience, which can be challenging.
• Astera Institute's startup-like environment may present unique challenges and opportunities for growth and development.
• The Head of Communications will be expected to work closely with the leadership team and other stakeholders, which may require strong interpersonal and communication skills.

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Communications role offers a unique opportunity for a strategic thinker with a passion for communicating science to make a significant impact on Astera Institute's mission and the broader scientific community. However, the role also presents challenges that require strong project management skills, adaptability, and a commitment to Astera Institute's mission and values.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• The Head of Communications role at Astera Institute is unique in its focus on driving transformative change in the way science is funded, conducted, and communicated. Unlike similar roles in other organizations, this role requires a strong understanding of the science and deep tech industries and a commitment to Astera Institute's unique approach to philanthropy.
• Compared to other communications roles in the nonprofit sector, the Head of Communications role at Astera Institute offers a higher degree of autonomy and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the organization's mission.
• Career paths for the Head of Communications role at Astera Institute may vary depending on the organization's growth and the individual's interests and skills. However, the role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the organization.

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Communications role at Astera Institute is unique in its focus on driving transformative change in the way science is funded, conducted, and communicated. Candidates who are drawn to Astera Institute's mission and values and have relevant experience and skills are well-positioned to succeed in this role.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a communications strategy to launch a new initiative focused on accelerating progress in a specific scientific field
• Managing the publication of a series of blog posts or articles on emerging trends in deep tech and their implications for society
• Spearheading the creation of a podcast or video series featuring interviews with leading experts in science and technology

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Communications role at Astera Institute offers a unique opportunity for candidates to work on high-impact projects that align with their interests and skills, and make a significant contribution to the organization's mission.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does Astera Institute measure the success of its communications efforts, and how can I contribute to improving these metrics?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the organization in the next 12-24 months, and how can the Head of Communications help address them?
• How does Astera Institute support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the Head of Communications role?
• What are the most important qualities and skills for someone to succeed in the Head of Communications role at Astera Institute?
• How does Astera Institute approach collaboration and communication within the organization, and how can the Head of Communications contribute to fostering a positive and productive work environment?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates for the Head of Communications role at Astera Institute should come prepared to ask thoughtful questions about the organization's mission, values, and culture, as well as the specific responsibilities and challenges of the role.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera/4c6e6286-7808-4db3-8d9a-2519f0da98f9
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to a general audience
• Research Astera Institute's mission, values, and approach to philanthropy, and be prepared to discuss how your background and skills align with the organization's goals
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.