Vice President Communications

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!

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.

• 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.

• 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.
• 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.

• Refine and elevate Smile Train’s global brand identity through powerful storytelling that deepens awareness, credibility, and…