Vice President of External Affairs

TITLE

Vice-President of External Affairs

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Founded in 1996 as a non-profit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, the National Women's History Museum researches, collects, and exhibits women's contributions to the nation’s social, cultural, economic, and political life. The Museum engages people through its “museum without walls,” including its interactive website, online and physical exhibits, education programs, live presentations, and social media to ensure these stories are told. Through these efforts and a future physical presence, the Museum serves as a guiding light to inspire people regardless of gender, class, race, or culture to move into the future with respect, equal confidence, greater partnership, and opportunity. The Museum envisions a place where visitors can expand their understanding of women's roles and leave with a complete view of American history. For additional information visit womenshistory.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

REPORTS TO: President and CEO

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Vice President of External Affairs is responsible for stewarding the National Women’s History Museum’s (NWHM) brand as well as external and internal communications strategies; developing and executing national and localized marketing initiatives to increase awareness and understanding of NWHM; serving as a spokesperson and representative for the organization; developing strategic partnerships; managing public affairs, public relations, and stakeholder relations; overseeing traditional and social media ongoing efforts; managing NWHM’s website, publications, and communications staff. As a member of the senior management team, this individual participates with Board members, the President and CEO, and other senior managers to help chart NWHM’s direction, assure NWHM’s accountability to all constituents, and ensure NWHM’s effective operation.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, oversee, and manage all external communications, marketing strategy, branding, influence, and promotional efforts to enhance NWHM image and position, and to increase NWHM awareness and understanding within the marketplace, with target constituents, and with the general public, collaborating interdepartmentally with senior staff.
• Grow existing and develop new relationships at local, regional, and national levels with sector-influencing media, individuals, and organizations.
• Work closely with development director and other senior part- or full- time staff to help create print, electronic, and oral materials to support fundraising initiatives, including appeals, campaigns, and events.
• Work with all NWHM divisions to ensure branding and other desired positioning and messaging consistency in all print, electronic, and oral materials, including in the educational outreach and all other program areas.
• Serve as a spokesperson for NWHM with the media as appropriate.
• Represent NWHM at related community events and participate in other projects.
• Develop stakeholder engagement plan and manage current national coalition.
• Work closely with consultants and internal team to ensure NWHM’s external assets meet high standards of quality and enhance NWHM’s reputation as a trusted source of information.
• Contribute to and support internal (including Board) communications strategies that further institutional goals, as well as team awareness, understanding, and involvement as NWHM ambassadors, providing training and support as needed.
• In helping to set external and internal organizational communications goals, determine and execute quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods to assess corresponding success rates, then propose and implement strategic tactics and next steps as appropriate.
• Create and launch dynamic new vehicles to communicate and promote NWHM’s initiatives and events.
• Implement and maintain branding guidelines to ensure high-quality, unique branding is integrated across all business activities and outputs.
• Develop and oversee short- and long- term budget plans for NWHM marketing and communications efforts.
• Working closely with the President and CEO, serve as a liaison to the Board of Directors, providing regular opportunities to connect board members with NWHM’s work, share news and information to enhance each Board member’s capacity to serve as NWHM ambassador, explore possible new board members, and ensure smooth transitions between board members as they arrive and depart the board.
• Anticipate and develop communications resources, policies, and competencies to respond to emerging issues and crises.
• Keep up-to-date on media, marketing, and communication industry trends and developments, in order to address and advise the President and CEO, Board, and senior staff regarding changes, opportunities, and/or challenges, as well as implications of organizational policy and program decisions.
• Supervise departmental fellowship, intern, and volunteer participants.
• Maintain successful relationships with program partners as well as consultants, third-party providers, and other outside vendors.

Minimum Qualifications 

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, and external affairs.

• Five years in management at an upper or executive level.

• Demonstrated track record in brand development and management, as well as experience and proficiency in web-based marketing and social media.

• Demonstrated ability to create and implement successful, large-scale marketing campaigns, lead integrated marketing communications, and build effective media relations.

• Audience development and program evaluation experience.

• Proven record of people and project management with strong leadership, communications, and interpersonal skills.

• Must have strong writing and oral communications skills as well as an exceptional attention to detail.

• Creative as well as research/fact-checking and analytical skills required.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced context within a close, collaborative working environment.

• Experience in budget development and management.

• Proficiency working in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel, Word), and experience with Drupal; Demonstrated computer design and database literacy.

• Museum and/or non-profit experience a plus.

• Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style and Associated Press editorial guidelines.

• B.S. degree required, Master’s degree a plus.

COMPENSATION

Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. EOE.

TO APPLY

Please submit resume and cover letter noting salary requirement to history@womenshistory.org with the subject line “VP External Affairs.” Candidates will be reviewed until a hire is made.