Description
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Background
Based in Washington, D.C., Venture Philanthropy Partners (VPP) is a philanthropic investor that adapts business best practices to help nonprofits strengthen their organizations and collaborate to improve the lives of low-income youth in the National Capital Region (NCR). Through its financial and management expertise, VPP works with high-performing nonprofits to help them become even more successful and collaborate with others in the region to create an even greater impact for the youth they serve.
VPP’s large-scale, multi-year funding efforts combine capital investments, strategic assistance and a network of talented professionals with expertise in education, government relations, outcomes, evaluation and finance. VPP also advises philanthropists, corporate and nonprofit leaders and policymakers on how to integrate VPP’s investment strategy approaches into their own philanthropic initiatives.
Since its founding in 2000, VPP has raised more than $90 million to help more than 45,000 low-income children and youth in the NCR access quality education, health care, career training and a better chance for a brighter future. Fourteen years later, VPP is as committed as ever to helping low-income youth across the region find their path to become thriving adults. VPP is looking for a driven, passionate and strategic Communications Director to join our team and help us reach our goals.
Opportunity
VPP is seeking a Communications Director to take a leadership role in helping VPP influence and achieve its goals. VPP offers a highly challenging and intellectually engaging environment, an opportunity to meet and interact with thought leaders in multiple disciplines and the chance to be part of a great team of people who are dedicated to improving the lives of young people in the National Capital Region.
The Communications Director will work directly with the President and CEO, senior staff, board members and outside consultants to develop and implement a strategic communication strategy to support the next phase of VPP’s funding strategy while pursuing additional opportunities to position VPP as a leader in the field and give exposure to VPP beyond traditional audiences.
Job Function & Responsibilities:
▪ Serve as a strategic communication advisor to the President and CEO, and other senior staff on organizational priorities.
▪ Work with members of the VPP team to prepare content/materials for external meetings and speaking engagements for the President and CEO (i.e., research briefings, speeches, talking points, etc.).
▪ Participate in senior-level meetings and planning sessions on the direction and priorities of the organization.
▪ Work with staff to ensure a streamlined and open internal communication structure.
▪ Develop goals and objectives with regard to the communication elements of the VPP operating plan, and provide guidance and support to achieve them.
▪ Develop structures within the organization to ensure quality and consistency in all external communication products and materials.
▪ Manage all public communications including newsletter, social media (Twitter, YouTube, etc.), reports, collaterals, presentations and website.
▪ Craft organizational and programmatic messages with the board, investor community and other key audiences.
▪ Work closely with organization’s development staff to plan and execute communication focused on fundraising and strengthening funder relationships.
▪ Oversee all of the organization’s media relations and regularly interact with the media to raise the public profile of VPP.
▪ Develop and maintain relationships with reporters (local and national) who focus on issues related to children and youth, low-income communities and philanthropy.
Candidate Profile
This Washington, D.C.-based position requires an individual with strong executive presence and experience. VPP is looking for a driven, high-energy performer who is resourceful and creative, and possesses a heartfelt connection to the social and community issues and causes that drive VPP’s mission.
Specific qualifications include:
▪ Passion for and commitment to VPP’s core mission, values and philanthropic investment approach.
▪ Personal and professional integrity with the ability to instill a high level of trust and credibility.
▪ Minimum of 8-10 years experience in a combination of philanthropic communications, public relations, journalism or other relevant communications background.
▪ Strong background in issues related to children and youth of low-income families and experience with Washington, D.C. metro-area audiences strongly preferred – some knowledge of or experience in the investment field a plus.
▪ Experience with the development and execution of a comprehensive, long-term strategic communication plan to guide overall organizational planning.
▪ Superior communication skills, including strong writing and editing skills.
▪ Strong knowledge of technology relevant to building and improving capacity of organizational communication.
▪ Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.
▪ Experience working with people across an organization, such as within matrix management systems.
▪ Enthusiasm, polish and dedication necessary to lead a dynamic communication effort.
▪ Experience devising and implementing strategic and effective use of social media outreach (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, e-newsletters, etc.).
▪ Experience supervising the production of communication products (print, video, etc.).
▪ Demonstrated skill in proactively building relationships with top-tier reporters and editors, and in successfully positioning issues with the media to achieve high-impact placements.
▪ Experience developing and managing budgets for communication activities.
▪ Willingness to “roll up your sleeves” and do what needs to get done.
Compensation
Compensation for this opportunity has been designed to attract candidates with significant experience with a commitment to this community and the nonprofit sector.
To Apply: Send resume, writing sample and cover letter to settleson@verizon.net, subject line: VPP – Communications Director.
For more information about VPP and its important work, check out: http://vppartners.org/about/vppvideo.html.