VP of Communications & Public Affairs

Job Description

Job Description

VP OF COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS

ABOUT HELP GROUP

Help Group is a leading nonprofit organization that has supported children, adolescents, adults, and families across Los Angeles for 85 years. Through a connected network of schools, clinical and therapeutic services, recreational and social engagement programs, vocational pathways, residential living, community-based support, and lifelong learning opportunities, Help Group serves individuals with diverse learning, behavioral, emotional, developmental, and mental health needs. 

Guided by deep expertise and respect for each person's unique journey, Help Group meets individuals and families where they are, providing compassionate, multidisciplinary support that builds resilience, creates hope, and helps unlock limitless potential. Its vision is a future where everyone, regardless of ability, circumstance, or difference, can live an engaging and fulfilling life shaped by possibility, purpose, and the power of help. 

ABOUT THE POSITION

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs will provide strategic leadership for Help Group's marketing, communications, public relations, and community engagement efforts. This leader will assess existing strategies, systems, and team capabilities to develop and execute a comprehensive plan that strengthens organizational visibility, elevates Help Group's public profile, and ensures consistent, high-quality communications across its programs and campuses. Working closely with executive leadership, program teams, and external partners, the VP will oversee brand management, media relations, community partnerships, and non-fundraising events, including the continued implementation of Help Group's recent rebrand. 

The VP will lead the marketing, communications, and community engagement team, establishing clear priorities, improving coordination, and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and collaborative, hands-on leader who combines creativity with exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and sound judgment. This individual will bring the vision to identify new opportunities, the ability to mentor and develop staff, and the operational discipline to translate ambitious ideas into measurable results. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Communications & Organizational Leadership 

• Assess Help Group's existing communications, marketing, and external affairs functions to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. 
• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and external affairs strategy aligned with Help Group's mission, organizational priorities, and growth objectives. 
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans with clear goals, timelines, responsibilities, and performance measures.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive leadership on organizational visibility, brand positioning, reputation management, and external engagement. 
• Establish effective systems and processes to improve coordination, communication, accountability, and execution across departments and campuses. 

Marketing, Communications & Public Relations 

• Provide strategic oversight of marketing, digital communications, social media, website management, content development, and creative services.
• Lead the continued implementation of Help Group's organizational rebrand, ensuring consistent visual identity, signage, and brand representation across facilities and campuses.
• Develop integrated marketing and communications campaigns that increase awareness of Help Group's programs, services, and community impact.
• Lead public relations and reputation management efforts, partnering with the organization's external PR firm to coordinate media outreach, executive visibility, and thought leadership.
• Establish standards for brand consistency, editorial quality, accessibility, and timely delivery of communications materials.
• Use marketing analytics, audience engagement, and campaign performance data to evaluate effectiveness and inform future strategies. 

Government Affairs & Community Partnerships 

• Oversee and provide strategic guidance to staff responsible for building and maintaining relationships with elected officials, public agencies, school districts, community organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen Help Group's visibility and community presence.
• Supervise and support staff representing Help Group at community meetings, public events, sector convenings, and other external forums, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and goals.
• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships, public engagement, and collaboration that advance organizational priorities and expand awareness of Help Group's programs.
• Collaborate with Development to ensure coordinated external relationships while maintaining clear responsibility for fundraising and sponsorship activities. 

Events & Community Engagement

• Provide strategic oversight of Help Group's non-fundraising events, volunteer engagement, and community outreach initiatives.
• Establish clear goals, priorities, budgets, timelines, and measures of success for community events and engagement activities.
• Oversee the events and community engagement function, providing strategic direction and ensuring effective planning, coordination, and execution.
• Identify opportunities to increase community participation, strengthen relationships, and promote Help Group's programs through events and partnerships.
• Evaluate event and community engagement outcomes to improve effectiveness, organizational visibility, and use of resources. 

Team Leadership, Operations & Performance 

• Lead, mentor, and develop marketing, communications, and community engagement staff, fostering a collaborative, organized, and results-oriented team culture.
• Manage departmental budgets, external vendors, consultants, and agency relationships, ensuring resources are aligned with strategic priorities.
• Collaborate across departments to manage competing priorities, resolve challenges, and ensure successful execution of organization-wide initiatives. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, public affairs, nonprofit management, business, or a related field.
• At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public relations, external affairs, or a related field, including at least five years of leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing comprehensive communications, marketing, or external engagement strategies.
• Experience assessing existing teams, systems, and processes and implementing improvements that strengthen organizational performance.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary teams while establishing clear priorities, expectations, and accountability.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with demonstrated success managing complex initiatives, multiple stakeholders, and competing deadlines.
• Experience overseeing brand management, integrated marketing campaigns, digital communications, and public relations activities.
• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with strong attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on leadership and effective execution in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to Help Group's mission and to respectful, inclusive engagement with neurodivergent individuals, people with disabilities, families, and community partners. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications, marketing, public affairs, nonprofit management, business, or a related field.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations, human services, behavioral health, special education, disability services, or related sectors.
• Familiarity with the Los Angeles civic, nonprofit, media, and community landscape.