Senior Vice President of External Affairs Washington, DC

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1 Senior Vice President of External Affairs Washington, DC Expanding the Possibilities 1

2 External Affairs The National Women s Law Center has been on the frontlines of nearly every major advance for women and families for more than 45 years. Its work depends on generous donors who contribute funds, knowledgeable professionals who donate their expertise, and visible supporters who amplify messaging to marshal public support. The Center secured over $13.7 million in contributions and grants, including $2.5 million of donated services, for the year ending June 30, 2017; ran press relations that secured visibility in the New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, NPR, Vogue, and The Washington Post, among other major media outlets; and waged successful grassroots and digital campaigns. The next Senior Vice President of External Affairs will take the lead in building the staff and strategies necessary to expand visibility and philanthropic support across the country. Leadership Support for Outreach Fatima Goss Graves spent a decade at the National Women s Law Center before becoming its President & CEO in Graves was chosen by the Center s Board to succeed the organization s co-founders and co-presidents, Marcia D. Greenberger and Nancy Duff Campbell. In her previous role as the Center s Senior Vice President for Programs, Graves directed a broad program agenda, eliminating barriers in education, employment, family economic security, child care, health, and reproductive rights. As President, she is leading efforts to ensure that the Center s programs all work together to improve the lives of women in diverse walks of life around the country. Her leadership transition presents a unique opportunity to build the Center s prominence and profile on the national stage. The Center s Board of Directors are also actively involved as major donors and ambassadors for the Center and contribute energetically to its development and communications goals. The Center also has an active high-level Leadership Advisory Committee of accomplished attorneys who provide advice and support. Development In addition to pro bono legal representation donated by numerous law firms, the Center has historically secured approximately 70% of its operating revenue from foundations, with smaller bases of support from individuals, law firms, and corporations. It maintains a database of more than 5,000 active individual donors, including over 40 individual donors annually giving at the $5K+ level. Donations and income from the Center s endowment support the Center s operating budget of more than $14 million. Communications In an increasingly polarized political environment, attacks on women s employment, economic security, education, health, and reproductive rights have become disturbingly common. The Center s Communications program keeps supporters engaged and mobilized in a trying time. Its digital program has attracted and engaged more than 860,000 online supporters and its media relations team has earned more than 700 broadcast and print mentions of both the Center and its new CEO in major regional, national, and international publications in the first half of

3 The Opportunity The National Women s Law Center is seeking a Senior Vice President of External Affairs to grow the Center s profile and expand individual engagement with the organization by sharply defining the Center s national brand, broadening its visibility, and attracting significant support and resources to advance its strategic goals. Reporting to the COO and Chief of Staff, the SVP will oversee the Vice President of Communications and the Vice President of Development and the integration of their departments public-facing and individual engagement activities. The SVP of External Affairs will lead efforts to assess, design, and develop the infrastructure for a best-in-class integrated external affairs division. With oversight of annual and major giving from all constituencies as well as art production, supporter engagement, digital campaigns, and media relations, the SVP will ensure that the departments are designed and empowered to execute smart collaborative outreach and engagement initiatives, building a broad base of support for a mission with highstakes impact on millions of women and their families. The SVP also will expand broad cross-organizational external affairs efforts, such as the development of a stronger grasstops program. Specific responsibilities include: Strategy and Direction Lead the integration of the Center s Communications and Development Departments in a collaborative effort that engages prospective and existing supporters along a single shared continuum and develops new strategies for building the Center s profile and resources. Work with the Communications and Development VPs to shape the annual strategic communications and fundraising plans, goals, and metrics; includes proactively identifying and prioritizing targeted initiatives that are aligned with the Center s strategic plan and responsive to evolving external opportunities/challenges while also continually evaluating strategies. Clearly articulate industry best practices and identify opportunities to effectively adapt them within the Center s mission and culture. As a member of the senior executive team, provide vital input on strategic and operational planning and positioning for the Center. Team Building and Management Design, recommend, and implement a staff structure that aligns investments with key strategic priorities and orchestrates regular collaboration and integration across roles and responsibilities. Provide steady and supportive leadership for an external affairs team that currently numbers 18 (not including unfilled positions); staff across the two departments include vice presidents, directors, senior managers, managers, and staff. Oversee the development of annual performance plans that harness individual strengths and provide ample opportunities for professional development that advances both individual growth and Center performance. 3

4 The Opportunity Board and Staff Engagement Foster strong relationships with volunteers, leaders, attorneys, and staff at all levels in order to build an organization-wide culture of outreach and engagement that advances the Center s mission. With the CEO and the VP for Development, design and implement a plan to strategically engage Board members, Leadership Advisory Committee members, and other grasstops volunteers in the Center s development and communications efforts and to leverage their unique talents, interests, and networks. Provide training and guidance to support high-level relationship-building and solicitation by Board members, the CEO, development staff, and senior staff attorneys, ensuring that participants are adequately informed and prepared for donor meetings and key events. Create opportunities for staff across the Center to contribute to a content generation program that promotes the Center s visibility and accomplishments. Public & Individual Engagement Priority Areas Steer the design of a comprehensive plan to strengthen and grow the Center s individual giving program, including annual, mid-level, and major giving, with the goals of expanding the donor base, deepening engagement, and increasing revenue; provide appropriate training and support for the team of individual giving officers responsible for the plan s execution. Identify opportunities to build a comprehensive corporate partnership program consistent with the Center s mission and values. Oversee the design and development of a compelling case for support and donor-facing print and digital collateral, ensuring that all documents reflect brand and communications standards. Oversee the annual dinner and other events, integrating these into the overall development, communications, and brand strategy for the organization. Lead an internal branding process that leverages the Center s unique history and accomplishments to strategically position it within a challenging political, legal, and fundraising landscape. Develop a plan to raise the Center s profile as a recognized and regularly consulted authority, promoting the strategic cultivation of relationships with relevant and influential media outlets including print, broadcast, and digital to anticipate and maximize coverage opportunities. Foster an innovative content creation program that employs a broad mix of technologies, formats, and media capable of attracting both earned and social media coverage. Design a comprehensive strategy to grow the organization s grasstops presence and influence. Create opportunities for the new CEO to enhance her visibility and that of the Center in multiple settings across the country. 4

5 The Candidate The Senior Vice President of External Relations will be a smart and sophisticated thinker capable of bringing a systematic strategic perspective to an organization led by accomplished legal analysts, strategists, communicators, and fundraisers. The SVP will have a broad and long-term vision of communications and development within the contemporary landscape of gender equity activism and will have an expert understanding of how to inspire and engage others to achieve that vision. S/he will be adept at designing and executing systems to support internal teams, with a clear understanding of best practices and an attunement to organizational culture. Specific qualifications include: Background At least 10 years senior leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a development role. Bachelor s degree required; Master s degree preferred. Skills and Experience Record of leading, managing, and integrating an ambitious, forward-thinking external affairs program that increased an organization s financial and non-revenue support. Outstanding major gift and planned gift fundraising record in a complex non-profit environment, with a sophisticated understanding of how to build an individual major donor pipeline, secure 6-and 7-figure gifts, and increase giving levels and revenue. Experience working with foundations, including identifying foundation prospects, cultivating and stewarding foundation relationships, and overseeing the development of proposals. Keen understanding of how to use creative content to drive development and programs. Demonstrated ability to steer the development of an organizational brand and identity. Record of successful partnership with a CEO and Board of Directors. Knowledge of and passion for gender justice and activism, with the ability to serve as a compelling ambassador for these issues. Past experience working with legal scholars or attorneys is preferred. Leadership Style Demonstrated ability to build a well-supported, carefully nurtured, and high-performing team. Clear evidence of a management style that emphasizes collaboration and collegiality. Ability to work effectively with and gain the respect of multiple constituencies, including senior executives and decision-makers, individual and institutional partners at all levels, and staff and team members across departments. Calm, focus, and maturity, with the ability to organize complex work by a variety of contributors and to remain gracious under pressure. Demonstrated ability to model a positive attitude that emphasizes possibilities and solutions. Flexibility and creativity in a fast-paced, evolving environment. 5

6 To Apply Senior Vice President of External Affairs Washington, DC Questions, resumes, and CVs should be sent to All first round interviews for this position will take place at Development Resources, inc. at 1820 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 702, Arlington, VA 22209, (703) , or via telephone/video conference. DRi is an executive search and development consulting firm that places senior executives and works with them to build talented staffs, develop bold strategic plans, and design powerful fundraising programs. The National Women s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is seeking a diverse slate of qualified candidates for formal consideration. 6