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.

For more information about VPP and its important work, check out: http://vppartners.org/about/vppvideo.html