The North America Team develops and executes policy, advocacy, communications and government relations strategies to build political support and advance domestic and global programmatic priorities that are funded by, or executed within, the United States, Canada, and the United Nations. Facilitates communications support for U.S. Programs and related priorities, including coordinating communications functions across focus states. This role will also guide the team in the management of portfolios of foundation investments (grants and contracts). As part of this responsibility, this role will be a great partner to grantees, contractors and key partners to achieve the foundation's desired impact, provide project briefings and updates to foundation leadership.
- Facilitate development and execution of communications strategies in support of USP priorities, including direct K12, PS, and Mobility support.
- Facilitate the development of narratives, messaging and other communications related materials in support of U.S. Programs and priorities.
- Management of USP issue-focused media-related grants and relationships.
- Craft USP-focused content and collateral.
- Lead state-based communications activities in collaboration with the State/Local GR team.
- Facilitate development of annual investment plans and budgets, develop, modify and implement strategy under the leadership of the Director. Work with foundation leadership as requested to address cross-cutting issues and improve functions and performance.
- Provide strategic guidance in crafting grants and contracts that require complex research or analytics. Oversee global measurement and modeling activities.
- Accountable for the identification and assessment of key portfolio risks, and the development and management of mitigation/contingency plans at the portfolio level.
- Advise, mentor, and support colleagues within the foundation and their grantees in the design, enhancement, and execution of project, initiatives and engagements. Manage partnerships and grantee relationships to achieve impact, for example, by conducting site visits, convening meetings of key stakeholders, monitoring and evaluating components of grants.
- This role may manage people and may be responsible for hiring the talent needed to achieve our goals, ensuring successful employee onboarding, communicating performance expectations, creating goal alignment, integrating project and change management, giving and seeking feedback, providing mentorship, measuring progress and holding people accountable, supporting employee development, and recognizing achievement and lessons learned.
We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership in an inclusive environment in which they thrive, will do phenomenal things.
- Shown ability to lead and influence others. Demonstrated ability to work with efficiency, diplomacy, and flexibility particularly as part of a team. Experience working on teams with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
- Knowledge of U.S. Education and Pathways to Employment policy and the key issues at a national and state level.
- Experience in strategic planning and strategy implementation.
- Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills, and experience advocating and communicating with a broad and diverse audience.
- Experience in a role requiring teamwork in a complex organization and working with external organizations.