Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Philadelphia, PA (Hybrid)

American Friends Service Committee

Date Posted: 10/11/2024

Location: Philadelphia-area preferred, (Please note that Philadelphia-area preferred, open to candidates between NYC and Washington D.C. corridor).

Application Deadline: November 8, 2024

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

Summary of Principal Responsibilities:

The Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO) has responsibility for overall communications, research-based messaging, marketing, and branding activity for the American Friends Service Committee. The CMCO serves as a member of the leadership team. The position represents, promotes, and increases the overall visibility of AFSC. The CMCO supervises the areas of Donor Marketing/Annual Giving, Media Relations, Public Engagement (including Friends Relations, Alumni, and Archives), Communications Research and Analytics, and Content and Engagement (including Digital).

The CMCO provides strategic direction and coordination for marketing and communications to donors, Friends, and many key constituencies, with a focus on strategic communications that advances our program’s advocacy and fundraising goals.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:  The key responsibilities of the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer include the following:

• Provide supervision, leadership and vision for the Donor Marketing/Annual Giving, Media Relations, Public Engagement (including Friends Relations, Alumni, and Archives), Communications Research and Analytics, and Content and Engagement (including Digital), units and functions, for approximately 20 staff and interns.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate AFSC’s long-term marketing, branding, and communications strategy consistent with Quaker values and AFSC’s objectives and mission. Ensure that AFSC’s major donor marketing and other communications (online, in social media, print, and major events) are compelling, timely, and reflect a common identity as an organization. Guide overall messaging.

• Develop long-term annual giving strategies and set annual goals to guide donor marketing work. Ensure annual giving staff, in collaboration with programs, Development and Communications, effectively communicate with and engage donors to sustain loyal donor relationships; attracting and retaining a new, diverse donor base; and increasing our donor support year-over-year.

• Provide overall strategy in partnership with program staff on strategic communications and public campaigns that advances advocacy objectives, consistent messaging, and outcomes.

• Serve as a spokesperson to the media, especially in the context of crisis communications, using an affirmative and team-driven approach.

• Create a collegial, team-building work environment, motivating staff and volunteers, and cultivating productive, collaborative relationships with all constituent groups.

• Supervise the development of systems, resources, and procedures that help all staff and volunteers communicate well on AFSC’s behalf.

• Develop and manage plans and budget for Communications.

• Advise the General Secretary and Leadership Team on internal communications.

• Work with colleagues in the Information Technology, Communications, and Development Departments to ensure the security and integration of constituent data integration across the AFSC.

• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

• Stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies (including AI) to continuously improve the organization's communication and marketing efforts.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in communications, marketing, market research, public policy or business development or related area desirable. Extensive experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.

 Experience: 

• At least ten years of communications and donor marketing experience with demonstrated accomplishments in communications, media and public relations, donor marketing, content marketing, social media, web content, marketing research, and publications.

• Demonstrated success in leading, managing and implementing an overall marketing strategy with a demonstrated track record of growth, in all of its dimensions.

• At least five to seven years leading communications and marketing teams in a nonprofit setting.

Other Required Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communications skills with a capacity for active listening and a demonstrated ability to speak and write in community-centered voice.

• Initiative and imagination, with a strong track record in creative problem solving, strategy formulation and message development.

• Exceptional analytical skills, and experience with modeling, forecasting, constituent-relations databases, and targeted marketing. Familiarity with best practices in public relations, analytics, and marketing research.

• Demonstrated leadership, managerial, and organizational learning skills. Management experience in staff development, budgeting, process and internal policy development, project management and evaluation, and building effective teams is required.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor others, building a strong, cohesive and diverse team committed to the greater good of the organization.

• A sound sense of design and production as applied to various media, including new and emerging technologies.

• Broad knowledge of AFSC approaches to social justice issues and style of work; ability to speak articulately about AFSC programs. Familiarity or background working on issues within an international context is desired.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with people of other cultures, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. Experience working with and clear commitment to the anti-oppressive, inclusive, and anti-racist principles and practices. Knowledge of best practices in cross-cultural communications

• Ability to facilitate consultative decision-making processes and work with volunteer committees.

• Ability to attend occasional evening and weekend meetings, consult outside of normal business hours, and travel internationally.

• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and/or demonstrated compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic equal worth of every individual.

• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and consideration of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff within a language justice context.

Compensation:  Salary Family - Senior Leadership ($130,000 - $150,000) – Exempt – Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

The AFSC central office is a unionized workplace, represented by District Council 47 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.  This is a non-represented position.

The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.