The Chief External Affairs Officer is responsible for developing and implementing Chiefs for Change’s external affairs vision and strategy to advance the organization’s mission. In addition, this role is responsible for developing and implementing the policies and practices that work for students by inspiring and engaging key constituents outside of our membership to advocate for and implement changes that ensure every public school prepares students for today’s world and tomorrow’s. The Chief External Affairs Officer plays a vital role in advancing the mission of Chiefs for Change through storytelling that thoughtfully engages both our membership base and external stakeholders. The location of this role can be based remotely with up to 25% travel, mostly on the east coast.
The Chief External Affairs Officer will oversee external affairs, advocacy and policy staff ensuring the integration of these efforts and aligning the overall direction of our external affairs work to our mission, principles, and organizational strategy. The Chief External Affairs Officer will be a member of Chiefs for Change’s Leadership Team and report directly to the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Chief External Affairs Officer will provide thought leadership and strategic guidance to Chiefs for Change’s members and Future Chiefs, and help to advance an advocacy and policy agenda that puts children’s needs first. The Chief External Affairs Officer will position Chiefs for Change to reach decision-makers and influence their opinion on issues vital to Chiefs for Change’s mission. This individual must convey Chiefs for Change’s history, outcomes, impact, and narrative effectively, persuasively, and above the partisan debate to influential thought leaders and stakeholders through a variety of communication tools, including social media and moving beyond traditional media outlets.
This role requires an individual who cares deeply about our mission and the work our members do, and about justice and equity of opportunity. A successful candidate is one with a proven track-record of results who is motivated by impact, is political savvy, and has strength in stewarding a bipartisan narrative of Chiefs for Change, strong management skills, and a belief in the urgent need for educational equity and the critical position of Chiefs for Change in this work.
- Develops and oversees implementation of strategy in the areas of public affairs, marketing, communications, policy, research and advocacy, including developing key metrics to measure impact.
- Works with Directors to translate strategy into tactical implementation plans.
- Manages all communications, policy and advocacy activities and staff.
- Serves as an external face of the organization with key stakeholders and partners, building coalitions and advancing the priorities of our membership.
- Drives increased engagement through the development and execution of a scaled, multichannel (social media, email, etc.) strategy with strong content showcasing the mission and work of Chiefs for Change and its membership and Future Chiefs. This engagement strategy relies on collaboration with staff across Chiefs for Change.
- Supports and promotes consistency of messaging across the organization, including close collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Advances Chiefs for Change’s policy and advocacy agenda through communications, strategic partnerships, and campaigns.
- Supports overall organizational goals around fundraising for this unit.
Requirements
- 7+ years of senior-level external affairs, marketing, and/or communications leadership with a track record of success and progressively responsible experience required
- Passionate and unwavering belief in that all children can and must graduate from high school prepared for and with access to college or career training in order to be prepared for today's world and tomorrow's
- Demonstrated success and leadership in managing comprehensive strategic marketing and communications efforts, preferably within political and/or issue advocacy environments and a demonstrated record of success within fast-paced media relations
- Demonstrated success in building coalitions and investing constituents using exceptional political acumen
- Experience with large-scale and/or digital media a plus
- Leadership experience in public relations strategy development and implementation
- Proactive in setting a strategy with key relationship management skills
- Curiosity and eagerness to figure things out in a rapidly changing and entrepreneurial environment
Skills
- Ability to translate high-level strategy into tactical implementation in the areas of communications, social media, research, policy and advocacy
- Ability to analyze research, policy and advocacy issues and communicate findings and recommendations to a variety of audiences in compelling and influential ways
- Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills
- Visionary and strategic thinking: The Chief External Affairs Officer will work with Chiefs for Change’s leadership team and Board of Directors to establish the external affairs plans, methods, and mediums to achieve its mission while providing the strategic direction necessary to evolve the organization's external relations strategy. S/he will work well across lines of difference to develop differentiated strategies with multifaceted approaches aligned to the mission of the organization
- Leading high-performing teams: The Chief External Affairs Officer will lead diverse, inclusive teams and oversee the management of a fast-moving organization while fostering a culture of excellence and hiring and retaining high-performing people
- Managing resources: S/he will ensure Chiefs for Change’s external affairs efforts function in a strategic, integrated and fiscally responsible manner. The Chief External Affairs Officer will set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, assure accountability and allocate resources to ensure results while collaborating daily with the Leadership Team of Chiefs for Change
- Exceptional presence and communication skills: The Chief External Affairs Officer will communicate with passion, energy, intensity and enthusiasm, making arguments in a compelling, nuanced, and concise manner and aligned with the beliefs and positions of Chiefs for Change.
Preferred Qualifications
- Nonprofit experience preferred, especially related to education
- Experience with politics and/or a 501(c)4 nonprofit
- High comfort level with social media
- Ability to build a network and receive placements within traditional earned media and ethnic media
Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.
To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter to [email protected]. As we are a small team, we are not able to directly respond to each inquiry. We will reach out directly to those candidates that we select to move forward in the interview process.