VP of External Affairs

Position Announcement

Vice President for External Affairs

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

Status: Full Time

Department: Development

Location: 515 South Haven Street Baltimore, MD 21224

Baltimore Metropolitan Area

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, a premiere provider of aging services, seeks a mission driven professional for our growing organization. Our mission to enable aging and disabled adults to live safely and independently at home throughout Central Maryland is more important now than ever.

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, Inc. (MOWCM), is committed to providing nutritious home delivered meals, personal contact, and support services to homebound, aging and disabled adults. Meals on Wheels is more than a meal offering a full continuum of nutrition, support and safety-net services that help sustain health, promote independence, maintain economic stability, and improve overall quality of life. By helping the aging and disabled remain living independently in their homes, Meals on Wheels supports their continued integration into the social fabric of the community, prevents premature institutionalization, reduces health care spending, and allows aging adults to remain in their home and communities with dignity.

Ideal candidates bring a passion for the mission, a desire to make a difference and a background in marketing, government relations and event oversight.

Primary Responsibility and Duties

With a team of 1.5 FTE’s, provides strong direction for the Marketing and Outreach Department to scale the organization’s impact and expand its influence by increasing public awareness, sustaining and growing existing relationships and establishing new relationships to build MOWCM’s visibility, impact, and financial resources.

Designs and implements a comprehensive plan for developing key external alliances and partnerships, including government partners and elected officials, to raise the visibility of MOWCM and the importance of support of the work, and builds and maintains strong, effective relationships with elected and other government officials to deliver information about MOWCM and move MOWCM’s priorities forward.

Cultivates and manages media relationships to ensure regular contact with target media and ensure appropriate responses to MOWCM media requests and coverage. Serve as lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization. Oversees all events, including volunteer appreciation, Night of a Million Meals and other current or future events.

Ensures that MOWCM consistently remains on message externally with stakeholders and the general public, working collaboratively with cross functional teams to carry out consistent messaging, particularly in Development, Program and Policy.

Conducts in-depth research for policy proposals relating to anti-hunger efforts and/or the intersection of hunger, health and successful aging and develops recommendations for legislative and policy priorities for the Maryland General Assembly session and crafts outreach strategies for elected officials and their staff.

Assists in gathering information, preparing advocacy-related documents such as testimony and educational information, and secures opportunities for meeting with elected officials. Partners with Meals on Wheels of America on federal advocacy and participate in coalitions and alliances that protect and advance MOWCM’s mission.

Prepares and maintains organization outreach and collateral materials, and oversees digital strategy including, earned media. Acts as the brand expert for literature and presentation materials that support broad communication and development efforts.

Champions the vision, mission, and values of Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, raises awareness about issues related to homebound clients, and builds strong alliances and partnerships for sustained support of the mission.

Leads the creation and implementation of marketing research, tracking and evaluating tools to guide overall marketing decisions of the organization, including Google Analytics, social media, and other external communications strategies. Plans and implements timely media updates, including content/presence, postings with a focus on programs and services, client, donor, and volunteer stories that reflect impact of the mission.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills with an exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong conversational skills and ability to be persuasive.
• Outstanding organization and leadership skills– a demonstrated ability to take initiative, stay organized, manage many priorities simultaneously, delegate work, and support team members in meeting responsibilities
• Experience working with/on a marketing team and an understanding of how marketing and communications supports development and fundraising.
• Background working with or familiarity with government agencies and entities.
• Established record of leadership including an ability to inspire and guide teams
• Proficient computer skills, including demonstrated competencies in Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Raiser’s Edge NXT, the Internet, Canva, Word Press, Adobe, as well as social media channels.
• Graphic layout skills combined with the ability to communicate the right message for each project at hand.
• An unwavering commitment to elevating the importance of serving older adults.
• A deep, enthusiastic passion for MOWCM’s mission.
• Strong partnership-building skills.
• Versatility to oversee diverse types of projects, group or individual based.
• Adaptable, dynamic, and dependable. Able to meet the demands of being on schedule and on time, learn latest information and skills quickly.
  
  

Qualifications 

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in government affairs, marketing, communications and/ or public relations fields, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Communications, Public Relations, English, Journalism, Marketing or related field.
• Experience managing and developing a team, especially moving individuals to the director level.
• Demonstrated writing skills via work samples.