Chief Strategy & Communications Officer

402 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA
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Job Description

Reports To: President/CEO
Pay Grade I: $125,045 - $153,181
Position Status: Full Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Posting Dates: December 21, 2023 – January 5, 2024
About KZCF:
KZCF, established in 1925, has the vision of Kalamazoo County being the most equitable place to live, with the mission to mobilize people, resources, and expertise and to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Learn more at kalfound.org.
Core Values:
Center Anti-Racism and Equity
Advance Racial Justice
Nurture Healing and Love
Cultivate Transformative Relationships
Serve the Greater Good
Learn and Grow
Embrace Joy
Position Summary :
The Chief Strategy & Communication Officer (CSCO) works directly with the President & CEO (CEO) and provides leadership in the planning, organizing, administrating, evaluating and policy development for marketing and communications, public policy, and the strategic planning process for the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF). Infusing the communications strategies, public policy priorities and strategic plan with KZCF’s core values and DE&I. Serves as the central point of contact for media relations, advertising, public affairs, community relations and key partnerships. Responsible for the development, implementation and assessment of KZCF's operations in communications, marketing, public relations, advocacy, systems change and key initiatives identified in the strategic plan. The CSCO manages the institution's brand and reputation through strategic surveying, distribution of news, announcements, social media posts, print materials and marketing campaigns to ensure that the public views the organization favorably and aligns with the CEO’s vision.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities :
Strategy & Leadership
  • Develop, cultivate, and maintain relationships with high-impact potential, across multiple audiences.
  • Identifying both strategic risks and/or impact of potential initiatives.
  • Advising on strategies to ensure the President/CEO is current on high stake partnerships, to effectively to advance the movement.
  • Analyze the philanthropic landscape, the role and dynamics that KZCF plays in operating within the county it serves, to drive systems change at the senior leadership level.
  • Represents the CEO, and other chief executives, when necessary.
  • Coordinate with outside and general counsel to ensure all initiatives are compliant with the law.
President/CEO Collaboration
  • Develop an inclusive strategic plan and strategy by collaborating with the leadership team, board, President/CEO and key partners – including research (surveys, focus groups, etc.) to inform strategy development.
  • Collaborate with the CFO to develop a capital plan in line with the strategy.
  • Curating suitable metrics and key indicators that measure performance, progress and opportunities that require innovation.
  • Secure approval and create shared alignment around key organizational change initiatives.
  • Drive organizational change using a DEI lens, working effectively and efficiently with the President/CEO, senior staff and assigned team to actualize change.
  • Implementing and piloting key change initiatives.
Marketing & Communications
  • Collaborate with the Presidents/CEO and Strategy & Leadership Team to develop and meet Community Foundation goals while supplying expertise and guidance on Marketing Communications.
  • Manage, coach and supervise the Marketing and Communications team on implementing strategies that advance the Community Foundation’s mission and vision.
  • Ensure an integrated cycle of planning, evaluation, learning, and adaptation for assigned teams.
  • Develop relevant policies and procedures pertaining to the Marketing and Communications team.
  • Focus on external communications to ensure consistent messaging and branding in all print, digital, online donation platforms, partners and stakeholders materials.
  • Evaluate and drive the use of new technology for communications, marketing and funding vehicles including social media and eGiving, leveraging the organization’s website and online tools.
  • Serve as an ambassador and spokesperson for the organization as needed, and articulate our mission to external constituents, partner organizations, and potential funders.
  • Work with the President/CEO to ensure board members are actively engaged in their association with KZCF, and provide information as needed to board members on communication tools and techniques for donor cultivation.
Advocacy & Systems Change:
  • Support the creation and execution of a comprehensive advocacy and policy agenda that builds support for KZCF’s public policy priorities, at the local, state and national level.
  • Plan, coordinate, and execute KZCF’s civic engagement strategies - including policy briefings, congressional visits, legislative events and issue education for community members and elected officials.
  • Build and manage relationships with state and national partners that provide targeted supports, technical assistance, deep investment, capacity building and consultation.
  • Develop resources to support advocacy alignment of community-based organizations in Kalamazoo County, including toolkits, social media templates, talking points, op-eds, webinars, etc.
  • Design advocacy campaigns to engage community members and stakeholders in simple, tangible, and meaningful action opportunities, including livestreamed events, calls to action, peer-to-peer initiatives and social media campaigns.
Other Duties
  • Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Core Competencies:
Skill/Knowledge:
  • Recognized senior executive with a strong strategy orientation who has extensive experience leading major national initiatives or organizations involved in advancing a social change movement. A commanding knowledge leading all of the major tactics of a social-change organization (e.g., litigation, advocacy, policy, marketing, development, programs, community engagement, etc.). Must have extensive working knowledge of social change movements, relationships, and connections with leaders of other social change movements.
SWOT:
  • Identifies SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), innovate solutions, and drive organizational change in collaboration with the CEO and senior leadership team. Anticipates and plans for changes in internal and/or external operation conditions and business needs.
Leadership:
  • Takes responsibility for building positive morale throughout the organization and establishing a strong positive work culture. Embraces the organization’s values, vision and strategic plan and inspires staff to do the same. Translates the strategic plan to staff so they understand how their work fits into the plan. Puts the organization’s mission and priorities before their own department or personal ambition. Inspires and motivates staff and supporters to perform well, embrace organizational priorities and change.
Program Management:
  • Able to simultaneously manage multiple projects while keeping organizational priorities in mind. Uses sound project management principles, including establishing goals and performance measurements, developing budget and plans, securing buy-in and approval from upper management, integrating the project across the organization, and managing the programs on time and on budget. Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Communications:
  • Clearly explains tasks and projects to staff. Communicates the importance, values, and results of your department’s work. Keeps senior leadership and staff up to date when changes or updates to projects occur. Is readily available and holds regular meetings to ensure that all team members are aware of the status of projects, organizational priorities, or issues. Writes clearly and informatively. Edits work for spelling and grammar. Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Translate technical expertise to plain language. Meets the listener where they are in the process to provide an appropriate level of information. Listens and gets clarification. Responds well to questions. Demonstrates group presentation skills. Develops strong written and oral reports that effectively communicate the importance or success of your work to the board, donors, and supporters.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :
Required :
  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, nonprofit administration, business, or a related area
  • 8+ years’ experience and a proven expert in creating change across social movements, including significant experience leading strategic planning and all the major aspects of an organization.
  • 3+ years of experience operating as a part of a C-suite for a nonprofit advocacy organization
  • Track record of working at the chief level, directly translating a CEO’s vision, collaborating around change with a senior team and working with counsel to ensure complicated plans are in
  • compliance with all laws
  • Experience marketing a CEO and organization to increase visibility and revenue
  • History of substantially building the capacity, effectiveness, and leadership of advocacy
  • organizations and social change movements
  • Experience working directly with local and national nonprofit boards of directors
  • Track record of identifying diverse revenue streams preferable
  • Must be a doer (not just a thinker): a master multi-tasker able to handle large volumes of
  • information, quickly prioritize and create organizational change
  • Must be a strong manager who is also able to lead through influence within a matrixed
  • organization
  • Documented success in building strong organizational partnerships with leaders and
  • organizations
  • Strategic, creative, and innovative thinker
  • Significant experience inspiring diverse staff and leading with a DEI lens
  • Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
  • Excellent presentation skills and ability to interact with high-level individuals and groups as well
  • as all levels across the organization
  • Excellent project management skills, including influencing, leading, negotiating and delegating
  • abilities
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines and maintain disciplined adherence to
  • program goals
  • High level attention to detail; ability to meet all deadlines
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
The Kalamazoo Community Foundation shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include hiring and termination of staff, selecting volunteers, selecting vendors, and providing services.

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