THE OPPORTUNITY

The addition of this new Vice President, Donor Engagement and Communications position (and a peer V.P. position with responsibility for Programs) reflects the extraordinary growth and success of Equality Federation’s work as well as the continued need to strengthen and support the state-based equality movement. This position offers the opportunity to join a visionary leadership team in continuing to build and elevate the Equality Federation brand and to drive strategy for deepening and broadening engagement with current and potential funders. One need only look at the number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed by state legislatures this year to understand that the work of the Equality Federation and its state partners is perhaps more critical than ever.

REPORTING:

Reports directly to the Deputy Executive Director. Responsible for managing a staff of five (when fully staffed), inclusive of a 3-person development team and a 2-person communications team. Direct reports are the Director of Development and Director of Communications.

THE POSITION:

In this newly created position, the Vice President of Donor Engagement and Communications will provide strategic leadership and stewardship of Equality Federation’s donor engagement, external relations, and communications functions and teams. A primary focus of this position will be elevating visibility and understanding of Equality Federation’s brand with current/prospective funders, state and national LGBTQ+ partners, progressive policy & advocacy movement leaders, and the media. This position will work collaboratively with a talented and dedicated team to craft a compelling brand narrative and to tell the story of Equality Federation’s work and impact.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership/Management

▪ Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, which provides strategic oversight for the organization as a whole;

▪ As a member of the ELT, work with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, VP of Programs, VP of Operations, and VP of Finance to advance organizational vision, strategy, policy, and management practices;

▪ Contribute to Equality Federation’s growth and success by working with the Director of Development, Executive Director, and the Board of Directors to secure funding for new initiatives;

▪ Ensure integration and coordination of Donor Engagement and Communications efforts across all departments.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

▪ Create and implement strategies, programs, and tools to expand and diversify revenue among individual, corporate, and foundation funders;

▪ Oversee the collaborative development of an overall donor development strategy to deepen and expand relationships with current and potential donors and funders;

▪ Partner with the Director of Development to develop the strategies and infrastructure needed to increase raised revenue by 25% in the next two years through solicitation of major gifts, corporate, and foundation support;

▪ Help to create a culture of philanthropy and understanding of fundraising throughout the organization.

External Relations

▪ Represent Equality Federation and deepen relationships with all external audiences, including partners, funders, donors, state partners, with coalitions, at conferences, and in the media;

▪ Oversee constituent-focused external communications, ensuring the Executive Leadership Team, funders, state partners, and staff are informed on timely topics to ensure a consistent and engaging message to the public.

Communications & Marketing

▪ Lead efforts to improve visibility and understanding of the Equality Federation brand and develop a consistent, strategic narrative for all audiences (funders, partners, Movement leaders, media, etc.);

▪ Develop and drive an integrated communications strategy, including marketing, public relations, and media relations;

▪ With the Director of Communications create communications plans and tools, including impact stories, annual calendar, and collateral material;

▪ Ensure communications efforts are aligned and coordinated to support Programs and Development teams to successfully achieve organizational goals.

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

You are an experienced, visionary, and collaborative leader of people and teams. You are a powerful storyteller with a history of defining and elevating an organization’s brand and visibility. You have a successful track record of creating funding/revenue plans and implementing strategies for donor engagement and stewardship. You can strategically and successfully connect the philanthropic interests of donors and funders with the impact of your work. You have experience in a progressive advocacy movement and a passion for social justice. You value diversity of thought, background, identity, perspective, and lived experience. You establish clear goals and objectives and can inspire, empower, and support your team to meet or exceed them.

Required Skills & Experience (should have)

▪ Strong leadership and management abilities, including experience supervising development, donor stewardship and engagement, and communications teams of similar (or larger) scope and scale;

▪ Deep understanding of nonprofit funding and revenue generating programs and strategies;

▪ Successful track record of leading communications, branding, marketing, and/or public relations efforts;

▪ Exceptional communications skills, including writing, presenting, and public speaking;

▪ Proven history of creating and implementing strategies to expand an organization’s base of support among both individual and institutional funders;

▪ Experience building direct relationships with foundations, donors, donor networks, and donor advisors;

▪ Demonstrated personal and/or professional commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ equality, and supporting progressive movements, issues, and values;

▪ Strongly developed racial equity lens, and experience in social justice advocacy organizations and movements;

▪ Ability to travel within the U.S. up to 15 to 20% of the time.

Desired Experience (nice to have)

▪ Experience in organizations with both (c)(3) and (c)(4) arms;

▪ Previous donor relations and communications experience in a policy/advocacy environment;

▪ Experience or training as a front-line fundraiser;

▪ Formal media training and/or experience in media relations;

▪ Previous experience managing fully remote teams;

▪ Existing connections/networks in the national LGBTQ+ and/or allied social & racial justice movements.

Personal Characteristics

▪ Strong personal connection to the mission and goals of Equality Federation;

▪ Determination, focus, and ability to consistently deliver excellent quality work;

▪ Ability to lead collaboratively, with humility, approachability, and accessibility;

▪ Strong ability to delegate and to engage and empower the existing knowledge and expertise of one’s team and peers;

▪ High levels of emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-awareness;

▪ Commitment to helping team members grow and learn by being a mentor, facilitator, and coach;

▪ Good judgment, professional maturity, and ability to maintain confidentiality;

▪ Capacity to remain focused under pressure and deliver against timelines;

▪ Able to work independently as well as within a team.

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