VP of External Affairs

We are seeking a proactive, creative, and outgoing Vice President of External Affairs to oversee our public policy, advocacy and communications teams and work streams across the entire affiliate for both a 501c3 and 501c4 entity.  The Vice President of External Affairs oversees all external initiatives to achieve the goal of increasing Planned Parenthood's sphere of influence in the communities we serve. 

The ideal candidate is a sound leader with a talent for inspiring, developing, and empowering teams and affecting change. They/he/she will bring vision, direction, and practical experience in leadership and management, an authentic passion for the mission of PPSE, and a record of success in public affairs, policy, and advocacy.

If you don’t necessarily meet all the requirements that are listed, we still encourage you to apply for the role, because skills and competencies show up in lots of different ways and can be based on your life experience.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Resource and Staff Development:

• Recruit, hire, and manage a team of State Directors and the Communications Team
• Provide oversight, training, and collaboration with your team to ensure they are empowered and prepared to do the work necessary for success
• Work closely with the grants and policy staff to identify and secure grants for affiliate resources and programming 
• Develop and manage the department annual budget, ensuring compliance and efficient spend of budget and grant funds
• Provide opportunities for professional development and growth of your team, including internal and external mentorships and trainings
• Assist in developing and growing systems within the department, and serve as it’s lead in Senior Management Team planning and discussion

External Affairs and Communications Strategy:

• Serve as secondary spokesperson for the organization, along with the CEO and Director of Communications, for external communications needs
• Serve as liaison between the public and CEO for public policy, communications, and other external requests
• Identify opportunities to shape policy debates around issues that matter to the communities that we serve
• In coordination with the Director of Communications and CEO, develop and implement crisis communication plans and strategies
• Think creatively to expand organizational opportunities within the community, and mitigate impacts on the affiliate and people we serve from changes in law and policy, both on the statewide and federal levels.
• Invest in building coalitions and power across the states and partner organizations

Advocacy & Community Engagement:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with partner and allied organizations
• Manages and oversees implementation of all community outreach, grassroots, volunteer, and engagement opportunities conducted by the State Directors and their teams
• Works in conjunction with other partner organizations throughout the state to increase collaboration and cross-movement progress

State Policy & State Legislation:

• Develops statewide legislative priorities in coordination with affiliate staff
• Develops partnerships to help move legislative priorities forward
• Manages contract lobbyist in each state
• Lobbies elected officials on the state and federal level as needed
• Creates opportunities for education both with elected officials and candidates on the work and mission of the organization on the state and federal level as needed
• Ensures the affiliate Communications Team amplifies the outreach and advocacy efforts of each state team, along with legislative impacts and volunteer mobilization

Political & Electoral Work:

• Manages firewalled electoral and PAC staff and activities
• Provides recommendations to CEO and affiliate 501(c)4 Board on state political endorsements and contributions
• Tracking federal legislative relationships and activity relevant to PPSE and allied organization missions
• Manages grassroots and grass tops programs and oversees the mobilization of local supporters and advocates
• Oversees the development and implementation of voter identification and engagement campaigns and programs
• Maintains records of candidates and campaigns and informs affiliate leadership of redistricting map changes and impacts, ongoing partner electoral work, and other campaign season related activity
• Other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Undergraduate degree with relevant experience

Experience

• A minimum of 6 years of successful senior management experience in nonprofit advocacy, political environments, or fundraising/foundation environments.

Skills

• Strong (current) working relationships with state oriented elected officials, coalition partners and community leaders and local press, or shown demonstration of past success.
• Ability to manage program and staff resources and its budget judiciously and resourcefully in an environment of rapid growth and expansion.
• Expertise in long-term strategic planning as well as short-term crisis management.  
• Strategic thinker with the ability to help teams assess their challenges and opportunities.
• Effective communicator who can communicate with all levels of affiliate staff, national staff, and local stakeholders.
• Gravitas paired with professional integrity to effectively represent and promote Planned Parenthood externally and with the affiliate at the highest levels.
• Unflappable in times of crisis and high stress.
• Understanding of the role of health provision and advocacy that translates to an unflinching commitment to exceptional work product.

Physical Demands

• Note:  This position requires the utmost flexibility with frequent state-wide travel across Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi

   

Languages Spoken

• English required, some Spanish speaking skills preferred.

   

Essential Characteristics 

• Ability to represent the organization with sound judgement.
• Agility and resilience in planning and implementation of plans and goals.
• A forward thinking manager with proven experience in managing an empowered, trusted team
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to provide / support the provision of objective information to people who can get pregnant about all the options available to them (abortion, adoption, or parenting) in the event of an unintended pregnancy

Additional Information:

• Background screens will be performed and education will be verified prior to employment. Please be prepared to provide required information and/or documentation.
• Planned Parenthood Southeast is a smoke-free workplace, and smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on PPSE property.
• Planned Parenthood Southeast is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

Planned Parenthood is committed to hiring and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce that effectively employs the skills and talents of all employees in our organization. All applicants will receive consideration regardless of their race, color, creed, sex, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, age, veteran status, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, size, disability, socioeconomic status or status with regard to public assistance. We encourage diverse candidates to apply for this position.