Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Communications

at Omidyar Network

🏢 About Omidyar Network

Omidyar Network is a unique philanthropic organization focused on intentionally shaping the digital revolution toward shared power, prosperity, and possibility, rather than just funding initiatives. What makes it distinctive is its mission to 'bend the arc' of technology through strategic influence, partnering with innovators to guide digital futures for the greatest good. Someone might want to work here to be at the intersection of technology, policy, and social impact, driving narrative change in the digital space.

About This Role

As Head of Communications at Omidyar Network, you'll lead strategic campaigns, thought leadership, and narrative storytelling to advance the firm's impact and strengthen its reputation across policymakers, funders, civil society, tech leaders, and media. This role is impactful because you'll shape the organization's voice and influence strategy, directly contributing to guiding technology's trajectory toward shared humanity and digital equity.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve strategizing with the President and Chief of Staff on influence campaigns, collaborating with policy teams on messaging for digital equity initiatives, and engaging with media or cultural influencers on technology narratives. You'd likely review campaign analytics, prepare thought leadership content, and coordinate with partner organizations to amplify shared messages about guiding technology's trajectory.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Omidyar Network Is Looking For

  • Possesses strong political acumen and technology fluency, able to navigate policy discussions and digital innovation conversations with equal confidence
  • Demonstrates experience in strategic influence campaigns and narrative storytelling for mission-driven organizations, particularly in tech or philanthropy spaces
  • Is highly collaborative and adaptive, with proven ability to partner with diverse stakeholders including policymakers, grassroots organizations, and technical experts
  • Has experience building reputation and visibility across multiple key audiences simultaneously, from board members to media influencers

📝 Tips for Applying to Omidyar Network

1

Explicitly connect your past communications work to influencing technology policy or digital equity narratives, not just general nonprofit communications

2

Demonstrate your understanding of 'bending the arc' of technology by citing specific examples of how you've shaped narratives around digital power structures

3

Highlight experience working at the intersection of philanthropy, technology, and policy rather than just corporate or traditional nonprofit communications

4

Showcase your ability to collaborate across diverse stakeholders by describing specific partnerships with policymakers, funders, and grassroots organizations

5

Tailor your application materials to show how you'd refine and execute ON's influence strategy, not just manage communications operations

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with technology fluency and political acumen in communications roles', "Examples of how you've advanced organizational impact through strategic campaigns and narrative storytelling", 'Your approach to collaborating with diverse stakeholders from policymakers to grassroots organizations', "How you would contribute to ON's mission of bending the digital revolution toward shared power and prosperity"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → ON's specific initiatives and partnerships in digital equity and technology governance
  • → Recent public statements or thought leadership from ON leadership on technology policy
  • → The organization's 'bend the arc' framework and how it applies to current digital challenges
  • → ON's $1.94 billion in commitments and which initiatives align with communications priorities

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop and execute an influence strategy to advance ON's mission of shaping technology's trajectory?
2 Describe your experience building relationships with policymakers and tech leaders simultaneously
3 How would you measure the impact of communications on advancing digital equity and shared power?
4 What's your approach to narrative storytelling that bridges technical experts and general audiences?
5 How have you previously strengthened an organization's reputation across multiple stakeholder groups?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on traditional media relations without addressing influence strategy and stakeholder engagement
  • Presenting generic communications experience without connecting it to technology, policy, or philanthropy contexts
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of ON's specific mission to shape digital futures rather than just communicate about programs

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Omidyar Network!

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