Vice President, External AffairsJob SummaryThe Vice President, External Affairs provides executive leadership for One Hope United's philanthropy and advancement, marketing and communications, government relations, and external engagement activities. The Vice President develops and executes an integrated external affairs strategy that strengthens organizational sustainability, visibility, reputation, and capacity for mission-driven growth.
Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice President leads the External Affairs department; establishes priorities, budgets, performance expectations, and measurable outcomes; and develops a high-performing team. The Vice President plays a central role in growing philanthropic support, preparing for and executing a multiyear comprehensive fundraising campaign, building public and private partnerships, and positioning One Hope United as a recognized leader in services for children and families.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesPhilanthropy, Advancement & Campaign Leadership - Lead the organization's integrated philanthropic revenue strategy, including annual giving, major and principal gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, grants, sponsorships, and donor stewardship, as applicable to the organization's advancement portfolio.
- Own departmental fundraising execution and accountability against annual approved goals, including growth in net philanthropic contribution; establish prospect pipelines, moves management, stewardship practices, reporting, and reliable donor data.
- Lead planning, readiness, infrastructure, volunteer coordination, and operational execution of the organization's contemplated three-year comprehensive fundraising campaign (working goal of $15 million), in partnership with the President & CEO and Board/Foundation leadership; validate the goal and timeline against the approved campaign plan.
- Partner with the President & CEO, who serves as chief campaign strategist and principal fundraiser, on campaign priorities, high-value relationships, leadership solicitations, and major donor engagement; ensure clear ownership of prospect follow-up and delivery.
- Oversee fundraising proposals, grant development coordination, donor communications, campaigns, fundraising events, and performance analysis; align commitments with program outcomes and finance-approved budgets.
Marketing, Communications & Brand Positioning - Own and execute an integrated marketing and communications strategy that advances One Hope United's mission, strategic positioning, reputation, and visibility across its markets.
- Oversee brand management, public relations, media engagement, digital presence, social media, executive and organizational communications, impact storytelling, and public-facing materials.
- Lead external positioning for priority services and initiatives, including Hope House United, in partnership with program and executive leaders.
- Ensure consistent, accurate, accessible, and compelling messaging across fundraising, advocacy, government relations, community engagement, and campaigns.
- Oversee communications planning for major events, launches, and announcements; coordinate crisis and sensitive-issue communications with the CEO, Legal, HR, and Operations under approved response protocols.
Government Relations, Advocacy & External Partnerships - Develop and implement a coordinated government relations and external engagement agenda aligned with approved organizational priorities and operational markets.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with elected officials, government agencies, corporate partners, foundations, coalitions, community leaders, and other external stakeholders.
- Monitor relevant policy, legislative, appropriations, and public funding developments; coordinate with program, finance, legal, and executive leaders on implications, opportunities, and organizational responses.
- Coordinate advocacy priorities, public engagement, and external partnerships with the CEO and Legal; ensure required review of lobbying registration, disclosures, restrictions on political activity, and government-funding conditions before activities are undertaken.
- Represent One Hope United at selected public, industry, community, donor, and coalition events; identify partnerships that support mission impact and sustainable growth.
Executive Leadership & Departmental Management - Serve as an active member of the OHU leadership group and contribute to organization-wide strategy, planning, decision-making, risk awareness, and leadership accountability.
- Lead, coach, evaluate, and develop the External Affairs team; establish clear roles, decision rights, priorities, professional development plans, and performance expectations.
- Develop and manage the departmental budget, staffing plan, contracts, vendor relationships, workplans, and resource allocation; monitor efficiency and return on fundraising and communications investments.
- Establish dashboards and reporting routines for philanthropic revenue, pipeline health, campaign milestones, communications reach, strategic partnerships, and team performance.
- Collaborate with the COO, CFO, Chief Legal & Risk Officer, and program leaders so that external commitments are realistic, appropriately approved, and operationally deliverable.
Board, Foundation & Strategic Engagement - Partner with the President & CEO to engage the One Hope United Board of Directors and Foundation Board in fundraising, advocacy, introductions, relationship building, and external ambassadorship.
- Provide timely reports and materials for Board and Foundation committees on advancement, campaign progress, communications, and other matters within the External Affairs portfolio.
- Support recruitment, orientation, and engagement of campaign volunteer leadership, including campaign chairs and a potential campaign cabinet.
- Lead selected strategic projects related to advancement, external partnerships, public positioning, or campaign execution; coordinate with the responsible executive for cross-functional dependencies.
Performance Expectations Specific annual targets will be established in the performance plan and reviewed through the organization's executive performance process. Illustrative measures include:
- Achievement of approved fundraising targets, including the FY27 goal of a 30% increase in net philanthropic contribution over FY26.
- Timely completion of approved campaign-readiness milestones, including case and giving priorities, prospect management, volunteer leadership, and campaign execution planning.
- Growth and health of the donor/prospect pipeline, stewardship quality, and fundraising productivity.
- Execution of a coordinated communications and brand positioning plan with measurable reach and engagement indicators.
- Progress against government relations and external partnership priorities.
- Departmental budget performance, staff development, role clarity, and accountability.
QualificationsEducation- Bachelor's degree required.
- Graduate degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, public administration, public policy, or a related field preferred.
Experience- At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in advancement, fundraising, external affairs, communications, government relations, nonprofit leadership, or related areas.
- At least five years of progressively responsible management experience, including supervising professional staff, managing budgets and vendors, leading through organizational change, and delivering measurable results.
- Required: demonstrated success personally securing or directing significant philanthropic revenue, including major gifts and institutional giving, with accountability for fundraising targets, donor pipelines, and stewardship. Experience with a substantial advancement portfolio and campaign planning or execution required.
- Demonstrated experience advising or partnering with a CEO and governing or foundation board, engaging senior-level donors and external stakeholders, and cultivating productive public-private relationships.
- Experience setting priorities and supervising leaders or specialist teams across at least two external affairs functions (such as development, communications, or government relations) required; ability to direct the other functions through qualified staff and partners. Direct public policy or lobbying experience preferred.
Required Skills- Executive judgment, integrity, discretion, collaboration, and ability to lead through complexity and change.
- Excellent writing, presentation, public speaking, relationship-management, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to translate strategy into actionable plans, budgets, metrics, and results.
- Strong people leadership, coaching, delegation, financial management, and cross-functional coordination skills.
- Ability to use donor CRM and fundraising data to manage prospect pipelines, forecast revenue, monitor performance, and maintain sound records; proficiency with business, analytics, and project management tools.
We Invest in You!- Tuition assistance up to $2500 per fiscal year
- Up to 4 weeks paid Vacation Days, up to 6 paid Personal Days, 1 paid Mental Health Day, and up to 5 paid Sick days annually
- Medical, dental, vision, 403 (b) retirement, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, dependent care, commuter and transit
- Agency-paid Life&ADD insurance up to $50K based on salary and short-term disability
- Agency-paid long-term after 1 year of employment
- Voluntary Supplemental Life&ADD, Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital for Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren)
- Voluntary Legal Plans
- Voluntary Pet Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program with 6 free counseling sessions
- Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities
- Free LCSW and LCPC Supervision hours available in some locations
Pay Range: $165,000 - $200,000 per year
