Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Location: Fort Lee, NJ (On Site) Non- Virtual/ Non-Remote

Status: Full Time/ Exempt

Competitive Salary and Excellent Employer Benefits Package

***Thank you for applying to this role! All candidates must be able submit materials/portfolios/ links, etc. that showcase your work during the application process. *** Please include your portfolio in your submission for this role. Applicants, if you are having issues uploading your cover letter, portfolio, and resume please email them to recruitment@playersalliance.org- This email is for applicants/candidates/samples of work only.

We will not be accepting applications/candidate profiles or referrals submitted on behalf of Staffing and Temp Agencies for temp, contract, or direct hires for this role. TPA does not accept in person applications/resumes/etc. Please apply using our online system. Thank you! **

• Successful Experience in Marcomm in a Nonprofit Setting
• Fundraising Campaign Creation and Development
• Cause Marketing and Impact Storytelling
• Previous Success with Nonprofit/ Marcom/ Fundraising Teams
• Demonstrated Success in Nonprofit Storytelling
• Portfolio Showcasing Measurable, Quantifiable, Demonstrable Success
• Press Releases, Placements, Speeches, Social Media, Brand Communications
• Black Baseball Talent Pipeline
• Media Relations
• Internal and External Relations
• Collaborative Partnerships with Fundraising
• Collaborative Leadership
• Content, Branding, Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic and Critical Thinking Leader

Functioning as a member of the Senior leadership team, the VP of Marketing and Communications leads The Players Alliance’s (TPA’s) Stakeholder Engagement, Communications and branding strategies, ensuring proper reach, clarity and brand/mission identity. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, and working closely with TPA’s heads of fundraising and player engagement, the VP of Mar Comm will oversee a team of professionals specializing in graphic design, content creation, public relations, advocacy, events, social media, and brand communications. This pivotal role will enhance and clarify TPA’s values, reputation and influence, refining and expanding the organization’s brand to elevate its position in sports philanthropy and community impact.

The chosen leader will be responsible for bridging internal and external communications to amplify TPA’s impact and message. To do so the incoming leader will join, lead and build a new, dynamic team of success driven individuals, focused on building a connection to TPA’s brand while growing the charity’s footprint, platform and mission support. The ideal and successful candidate is a seasoned communications leader with a demonstrated ability to manage strategies and inspire teams, bringing deep marketing and communications experience (including nonprofit and corporate) professional maturity, creativity based in integrity, execution, proven leadership and analysis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties will include but not be limited to:

• Lead a high-performing team to create and implement strategic messaging and brand partnering, and business partnership initiatives needed to increase reach and audience, achieving the org’s potential based on the many assets at its disposal
• Lead TPA’s strategic integration of all communications efforts ensuring support of organizational goals across programmatic, fundraising, and awareness initiatives
• Lead the development and execution of player/fan focused campaigns and initiatives ensuring connected communication and successful engagement
• Establish professional guidelines for content/branding/time allocation/public interaction to ensure excellence as a department and organization
• Develop and showcase a deep understanding of the importance of diversity that is specific to participation in baseball both on and off the field
• Own growth of media/branding opportunities and network within The Players Alliance ensuring alignment of team’s goals with organizational goals, overarching vision and passion of players and leaders
• Conduct, present and utilize research related to diversity and sports/baseball as a means of developing bridges, pathways to excellence and participation and positions of advocacy for board and leadership
• Execute on new marketing and production opportunities with the CEO, Player engagement lead, head of Stakeholder engagement and partners ensuring brand connectivity and pivot towards mission opportunity
• Gather, Manage and report on vital analytics to determine best path towards deeper engagement, expansion and development
• Represent The Players Alliance with high integrity, professionalism, sensitivity to culture and engagement

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop a deep understanding of The Players Alliance’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities to ensure alignment in all communications efforts.
• Design and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that effectively supports TPA’s organizational goals and amplifies its impact.
• Work closely with the President & CEO, as well as other senior leaders, to ensure that Communications strategies align with and support TPA’s strategic priorities, events and planned impact and scale
• Support board members and selected former and current players in serving as spokespersons for The Players Alliance, representing the organization across various platforms and engagements.
• Ensure seamless integration of strategic communications across all key audiences, including donors, program partners, global stakeholders, and internal teams.

Storytelling & Content Development

• Lead and oversee the development of powerful, multi-channel storytelling that highlights the work of TPA and its grantee partners, ensuring each narrative resonates with diverse audiences across social media, print, and digital platforms.
• Help position TPA as a thought leader by crafting content that showcases our role as a changemaker, navigates complex issues, and offers unique insights into the challenges faced by our communities we serve
• Develop and oversee the creation of compelling visual and written content—from videos and blog posts to infographics and reports—ensuring these pieces amplify TPA's impact and advance our storytelling goals.
• Collaborate with all internal teams to identify and highlight impactful stories from our partners, ensuring that their work is showcased as part of TPA's broader narrative.

Brand and Communications Management

• Refine and amplify TPA’s brand identity ensuring adherence to style guides across all work in all portfolios, cross org
• Lead direction and coordination of communications, ensuring efforts are cohesive and results driven.
• Build collaborative relationships across the organization and its national network of clubs, players and sponsors
• Create/Ensure effective systems for content procurement and streamlined sharing of communications assets across the organization and with TPA’s vast player network

Advocacy and Collaboration

• Lead the development of high-impact communications campaigns that drive press coverage, social awareness, and programmatic and fundraising success.
• Foster opportunities for stakeholders to engage and share feedback, ensuring consistent integration of diverse perspectives into communications strategies.

Qualifications specific to role

B/A or B/S required; MS preferred

Minimum 15 years significant, progressive experience and quantifiable evidence of success in communications leadership, ideally in cause related environments and organizations held in the public’s trust

Proven ability to create and execute comprehensive, impact-driven communications strategies.

Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Journalist experience a plus.

Demonstrated success in expanding and strengthening an organization’s brand on a large, recognizable scale

Stellar performer holding a verifiable track record for clear exhibition of professional maturity and solid strategic branding and campaign development related to community initiatives

Able to effectively communicate with staff, superiors, colleagues and donors via excellent listening and communication (both written and verbal). Appear polished and thoughtful at all times, paying great attention to details.

Demonstrable experience in positively energizing others around a mission, and working through moments of shared and opposing goals

Demonstrated ability to provide attention to detail and concern for accuracy and consistency in results

Must possess strong presentation skills and proficiency in computer application programs

Friendly, outgoing personality, with an ability to connect via phone/zoom and in person

Be kind to others, understanding that The Players Alliance holds zero tolerance for toxic, abusive behavior by any leader or staff member.

Organized and self-motivated with ability to set and meet strict deadlines