VP, Marketing & Communications

Job Description

Job Description:\n\n I. ORGANIZATION SUMMARY: Founded in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) is a non-profit organization focused on eliminating disparities within the global Black community by developing leaders, informing public policy, and educating the public. Our primary focus areas are Education, Public health, Economic Empowerment, Civic Engagement, and other issues impacting the global Black community. Applicants may visit the website at to learn more information about CBCF programs and initiatives. II. POSITION SUMMARY: The Vice President (VP) of Marketing and Communications is a high-impact member of the senior leadership team, serving as the chief architect of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) global identity. The VP acts as a strategic thought leader to the President, driving innovative branding and communication strategies that aligns with the organization’s mission and reputation while expanding its influence. This role is central to CBCF’s mission of eliminating disparities in the global Black community, translating organizational vision into measurable results and a world-class narrative of impact. Strategic Impact & Brand Stewardship The VP is responsible for designing and overseeing execution of an integrated marketing and communications roadmap that elevates CBCF’s visibility across diverse platforms and ensures elevation of research, publications, and thought leadership. The VP will cultivate deep relationships with national and local media to drive organizational awareness and help to increase donor support. From overseeing the production of flagship publications like the Annual Report to directing sophisticated digital and social networking strategies, the VP ensures a synchronized brand voice that resonates both inside and outside the D.C. Beltway. Event & Operational Leadership A key pillar of this role is the strategic promotion and branding of CBCF’s premier events, including the Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), the Scholarship Classic, and the Sojourner Truth Legacy Project. The VP leads a multi-functional team and collaborates with internal partners and supports strategies to scale attendance and engagement. The VP also oversees and manages creative marketing and barter agreements.. By managing the departmental operating budget with precision and collaborating to direct all internal and external communication policies, the VP ensures the highest standards of quality control and operational excellence. III. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: A. Reports to: Senior Vice President B. Directly Supervises: Director, Marketing and Communications C. Indirectly Supervises: Graphic Designers; and a Digital Manager D. Consultants: Supervision – marketing consultants, vendors, and suppliers. E. Type of Supervision Received: minimal. F. Internal Relationships: Close coordination with the Office of the President and CEO to support public facing leadership engagement and with the Vice Presidents of Resource Development, Strategic Events, and the Center for Policy Analysis and Research department heads to establish and direct marketing and communications needs for those respective departments G. External Relationships: CBCF Board of Directors, CBCF Donors and Supporters, Executives, and key staff of partner organizations, and other stakeholders as defined by CBCF priorities. IV. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES A. Essential Functions Marketing and Communications Strategy, Vision, and Leadership 1. Drive Brand Visibility: Lead the creation and implementation of an integrated marketing plan that elevates the CBCF brand and ensures the Foundation’s research and programs are the "first-of-mind" for key policy and community stakeholders. 2. Lead Digital Innovation: Direct staff in creating and overseeing an innovative engagement strategy across all digital touchpoints—including the website, newsletters, and social platforms—utilizing data-driven insights to foster deep community connection and facilitate meaningful dialogue. 3. Cultivate Influence: Build and oversee a strategic PR framework that enables leadership to engage meaningfully with top-tier media and key influencers in racial justice, health, and economic sectors and other Foundation priority areas to advance the Foundation's mission. 4. Manage Organizational Reputation: Function as a strategic partner to the executive team in identifying and leveraging internal and external issues and opportunities and developing rapid response communication solutions that protect and promote the Foundation’s interests. 5. Presidential Advisory: Provide high-level communication counsel to the President and CEO, ensuring all executive messaging and executive-level public engagement is aligned with the Foundation’s long-term strategic vision. This work will be done in coordination with other relevant senior staff supporting the Office of the President. Communications Operations 1. Institutional Brand Stewardship: Direct the strategic production of all flagship communications, including the Annual Report and high-impact marketing collateral. Oversee and direct the team responsible for managing the Foundation’s digital ecosystem (website and social media) while managing high-value vendor partnerships to ensure brand consistency and operational excellence. 2. Chief Media Liaison: Serve as a primary organizational liaison and lead strategist for journalist and influencer engagement. Proactively position CBCF as a thought leader and authority in the media landscape to enhance institutional reputation. 3. Executive Positioning & Messaging: Exercise high-level judgment to identify and prioritize media opportunities for leadership. Develop thoughtful and strategic talking points, keynote speeches, and executive presentations that align with the Foundation’s mission and strategic goals. 4. Strategy Leadership: Develop and oversee implementation of a unified "Editorial Playbook" that integrates earned, owned, and paid digital strategies. Establish a master editorial calendar to ensure synchronized messaging across all communication channels and with all departments. 5. Media Network Cultivation: Strategically cultivate and maintain a robust network of top-tier press relationships. Ensure consistent, high-quality coverage of CBCF’s research, policy initiatives, and signature events (e.g., ALC and the Scholarship Classic). 6. Departmental Operations & Talent Development: Lead the day-to-day operations of the MarCom Department, providing fiscal oversight of the department budget, long-term strategic planning, and professional mentorship to foster a high-performing team. 7. Environmental Scanning & Issues Management: Establish sophisticated monitoring systems to track societal, political, and industry trends. Provide rapid response strategies to address emerging issues that may impact the Foundation, its stakeholders, and the global Black community. 8. Data-Driven Performance Optimization: In collaboration with the organizational operating system, define and implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the efficacy of communications and marketing strategies. Utilize data analytics to identify growth opportunities and refine the Foundation’s positioning. 9. Creative Direction & Visual Identity: Provide executive oversight for all visual storytelling and design. Ensure that all imagery and creative assets strictly adhere to brand guidelines and reinforce CBCF’s identity as a premier policy and leadership institute. Strategic Event Marketing & Promotion 1. Oversee and help define, plan, and manage all promotional and branding logistics for all CBCF events. Ensure close collaboration with the PCEO and Management Team (MT) on key decisions necessary to ensure a strong CBCF presence, partnership, and flawless marketing execution. 2. Monitor, measure, and define the success of event marketing against organizational goals. Create key performance indicators to develop a successful benchmarking system for measuring event promotion efficacy and reach. Assess and optimize by implementing strategies to maximize impact and reach to CBCF’s audiences. Team Development 1. Manage one director with responsibility for implementing and executing marketing and communication strategies. Demonstrate strong interpersonal, leadership skills, program management, and tactical support to the team. 2. Promote a culture of high performance, quality, values, and professional development. 3. Mentor and develop staff using a consistent, supportive, and collaborative approach. 4. Establish, supervise, and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities; conduct annual performance reviews. Required Special Skills 1. Effective communication of Marketing and Communications deliverables to a variety of constituents and stakeholders across a variety of mediums (internal and external). 2. Ability to effectively assist in negotiating contracts and proposals, with consultants and vendors, for the maximum benefit of CBCF. 3. Proven project management skills and experience in designing, managing, and delivering high-quality projects on time. 4. Superb oral and written communication and presentation skills in a range of formats, to include briefings, reports, media, articles, and blogs. V. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACCURACY/ACCOUNTABILITY Incumbent must communicate with stakeholders on a national and local level to positively influence the effectiveness of CBCF in achieving its objectives. The Vice President, Marketing and Communications must follow and adhere to federal, state, and local ethics laws, as well as CBCF policies governing conduct, in addition to performing their duties in an ethical, professional, and objective manner. Failure to comply may result in penalties for CBCF and the Vice President, Marketing and Communications. VI. SPECIFICATIONS Knowledge: A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, English literature, or a related field of study is required. An advanced degree is preferred. The candidate must have a minimum of 10-12 years of communications and writing experience and skills dealing with diverse issues, managing high-profile principals; high-performance teams; and compelling events. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of success in leading executive communications and managing media campaigns in a corporate agency, or nonprofit setting. The Vice President must be a confident, strategic thinker who can deliver and produce planned initiatives with maturity and professionalism and demonstrate a commitment to the mission of CBCF. Incumbent will be extremely resourceful, flexible, and highly responsive to business needs, opportunities, and challenges. Prior Capitol Hill or corporate communications experience is a plus. A. Computer and Technical Proficiencies: Proficient skills in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams). Experience with marketing and project management software such as Meltwater, Cision, Constant Contact, Luminate, Monday.com, and Smartsheet are a plus. B. Skills and Abilities: This position requires exceptional writing, editing, media relations, research, and interpersonal skills. Strong organizational skills, outstanding writing skills required for creating, editing, and proofreading materials. The candidate must be nimble and able to manage short-term and long-term priorities at the same time. They must also possess superb project and program management skills with the ability to manage multi-phased projects with precision and flexibility. Experience in managing high-performance teams, high-profile events and/or conferences and ensuring accountability at all levels is required. C. Physical Requirements: The candidate must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demanding deadline schedules, long hours, some evenings, and weekends during peak times and be responsive to last-minute and breaking news demands and engage in moderate travel. The candidate must work well under pressure, exercising tact and diplomacy while producing favorable results. Ability to produce and be flexible in a multi-priority, high-demanding environment is essential. CBCF is an equal opportunity employer and offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including health, dental, vision, 403(b), paid vacation and sick time. Qualified applicants only must forward a cover letter, resume, salary requirements and three professional references. The position will remain open until the position is filled, using CBCF’s online employment portal. No phone calls accepted.