Description
Based in Washington, DC, Venture Philanthropy Partners (VPP) is an innovative nonprofit organization focused on connecting investors to programs that are improving the lives of children and youth of low-income families in the National Capital Region.
VPP helps nonprofits serving low-income families build their organizational capacity to support strong programming by providing these groups with "growth capital." With this unique type of organizational support – which ranges from in-house expertise to access to a network of consultants, resources and professional advisors – VPP is directly impacting these organizations' ability to significantly improve the lives of youth in the region.
VPP's large-scale, multi-year funding efforts combine growth capital, strategic assistance and a network of talented professionals, with expertise in social services, juvenile justice, 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.
In June 2000, VPP's co-founders—Raul Fernandez, Mark Warner and Mario Morino—along with 26 other technology and business leaders came together with several foundations to contribute more than $30 million to capitalize VPP's first investment fund. The first 12 organizations that received growth capital from VPP produced outstanding results, providing improved programs for almost 15,000 more children and youth.
The tremendous growth and increased capacity of nonprofits working to improve the lives of children and youth from low-income families over the past decade shows that VPP's strategic investment approach works. To date, VPP has raised $50 million in the second fund from individuals, foundations and institutions to support its philanthropic investments and has grown its investor community to over 70 individuals and families, three institutional funders, two corporate partners and the federal government. This funding will let VPP provide growth capital to nonprofits and finance VPP's own opera¬tions and expansion through 2014.
In July of 2010, the Social Innovation Fund (SIF), administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, selected Venture Philanthropy Partners as one of eleven organizations nationally awarded SIF grants as part of its inaugural portfolio. VPP's "youthCONNECT" investment is a pioneering collaboration of government, private philanthropy, nonprofit organizations and evaluators that will dramatically improve opportunities for an estimated 20,000 low-income youth, ages 14-24, in the National Capital Region.
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 with similar social purpose.
The successful candidate will work directly with the President and CEO, senior staff, board and outside consultants to develop and implement a strategic communications strategy to support the next phase of VPP's funding strategy while pursuing additional opportunities to position VPP as a leader in its field and give exposure to VPP beyond traditional audiences.
JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Serve as a strategic communications advisor to the President and CEO, Partners 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 communications structure.
Develop goals and objectives with regard to the communications 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 communications products.
Craft organizational and programmatic messages with the board, investor community and other key audiences.
Manage communications associate and act as mentor to advance professional development.
Work with advocacy experts (including staff/board members, coalition partners and outside consultants) on communications strategy and implementation related to the organization's advocacy efforts.
Work closely with organization's development staff to plan and execute communications 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.
Oversee all public communications including newsletter, social media (Twitter, YouTube, etc.), reports, collaterals, presentations and website.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
This Washington, DC-based position requires an individual with strong executive presence and experience. We are 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.
Unquestioned personal and professional integrity with the ability to instill a high level of trust and credibility.
Bachelor's or Master's degree and minimum of 10-12 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 communications plan to guide overall organizational planning.
Superior communications skills, including strong writing and editing skills.
Demonstrated ability to build, manage and inspire staff.
Strong knowledge of technology relevant to building and improving capacity of organizational communications.
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 communications effort.
Experience devising and implementing strategic and effective use of social media outreach (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, e-newsletters, etc.).
Experience supervising the production of communications 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 communications activities.
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 and cover letter to settleson@verizon.net, subject line: VPP – Comms Director.
For more information about VPP and its important work, check out: http://vppartners.org/about/vppvideo.html