Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Description

Organization Summary:

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that mobilizes the community to care for those in need, activate Jewish life, safeguard the people of Israel, and combat antisemitism and hatred locally and in more than 70 countries worldwide. Each year, Federation engages thousands of donors and volunteers to generate tens of millions of dollars in philanthropic support, sustaining a network that delivers critical services, builds community, and responds to urgent challenges. Staff play a direct role in advancing this work across the Palm Beaches and beyond.

Position Summary:

The Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (CMCO) is responsible for setting and leading the Federation’s integrated marketing, internal and external communications, public relations, creative services and brand strategy in alignment with the organization’s mission, fundraising priorities, and long-term growth goals. As a member of the Senior Team, the CMCO serves as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO, Board leadership, and Senior Team and ensures that Federation’s priorities, positioning, and reputation are communicated clearly, consistently, and compellingly.

This role drives enterprise-wide marketing and communications strategy, organizational positioning, audience engagement, content and editorial direction, and revenue-aligned communications efforts across Federation. The CMCO ensures that brand stewardship, creative services, digital innovation, and communications planning support philanthropic growth, strengthen community engagement, and advance Federation priorities. The role focuses primarily on long-term organizational impact, scalability, cross-functional integration, and executive-level leadership, while establishing the standards, systems, and team structure required for excellent execution.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

Strategy and Planning

• Lead the development and implementation of a long-term marketing and communications strategy that advances the Federation’s mission, fundraising goals, organizational visibility, and community impact.
• Translate strategy into integrated annual marketing plans, campaign strategies, and communications priorities that support both short-term fundraising and long-term community vitality.
• Set Federation’s enterprise content and editorial strategy, including storytelling standards, editorial priorities, and an integrated calendar across web, email, social media, print, multimedia, paid media, earned media, and executive communications.
• Drive strategic alignment, in close partnership with Development, between marketing and communications initiatives and fundraising priorities, including the Annual Campaign, capital and other strategic campaigns, major gifts, endowment, and targeted giving initiatives.
• Lead audience segmentation strategies that strengthen donor engagement, community participation, affinity-based outreach, and partner communications.

Branding and Messaging

• Own and steward the Federation’s brand, positioning, voice, and reputation across all audiences and platforms.
• Establish and maintain clear brand architecture across Federation initiatives, programs, campaigns, and affiliated activities.
• Oversee the development of organization-wide messaging frameworks and cases for support tailored to key audiences, fundraising priorities, affinity groups, and strategic initiatives.
• Strengthen awareness and positioning of the Federation in the community consistent with the Federation’s mission and business plan.
• Ensure consistent Federation messaging and branding across departmental communications and, where appropriate, partner‑agency communications, including high‑profile initiatives, leadership communications, and signature events.

Communications and Media

• Advance Federation thought leadership and organizational visibility through strategic communications, executive positioning, media engagement, and external speaking and partnership opportunities.
• Oversee executive and volunteer leadership communications, including speeches, talking points, presentations, Board communications, and other materials that accurately reflect each leader’s voice and Federation priorities.
• Lead proactive media relations and earned media strategy; build trusted relationships with local, regional, and national media; serve as a Federation spokesperson as appropriate; and prepare leaders for interviews and other media engagement.
• Lead internal and change communications so staff and volunteer leaders understand organizational priorities, important decisions, and their role in advancing them.

Leadership and Organizational Integration

• Serve as a strategic thought partner and communications advisor to the CEO, Board leadership, Senior Team, and organizational leadership.
• Lead and oversee the Marketing and Communications function, including marketing, public relations, content, creative services, digital, social media, and internal communications, as well as staffing structure, resource allocation, operational priorities, and long‑term departmental planning.
• Oversee cross‑functional integration among Marketing, Development, Community Engagement, Digital, and related functions to ensure strategic alignment and organizational cohesion.
• Foster a high‑performing, collaborative, and accountable team culture committed to excellence, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Promote a culture of responsiveness, collaboration, and service across the Marketing function in support of internal stakeholders and organizational priorities.
• Provide leadership, coaching, accountability, and performance management to senior team members and department staff.
• Oversee departmental budget and a portfolio of agencies, consultants, writers, designers, photographers, videographers, and other creative partners.
• Establish and oversee project intake, prioritization, editorial review, approval, and quality control systems that improve efficiency, accuracy, accessibility, brand consistency, and communications effectiveness.
• Serve as a public‑facing organizational leader with Board members, major donors, community leaders, media representatives, and external stakeholders.

Performance, Innovation, and Organizational Growth

• Drive a digital‑first strategy built on audience‑centered engagement, multimedia storytelling, platform optimization, automation, and analytics to grow brand visibility, donor engagement, and mission impact.
• Hold ultimate accountability for marketing and communications performance metrics, including engagement, audience growth, ROI, visibility, and brand health.
• Use audience research and listening, channel performance, campaign response, and brand measures to identify opportunities, strengthen relevance, and improve results.
• Establish goals, metrics, and accountability measures to evaluate effectiveness and support continuous improvement.
• Lead organizational marketing modernization efforts, including responsible adoption of new technologies and AI, digital strategy, analytics, audience segmentation, and evolving communications practices, with clear standards for accuracy, privacy, ethics, and brand integrity.
• Leverage data, analytics, and audience insights to assess impact, refine strategy, and inform organizational investment and prioritization decisions.
• Build an integrated communications ecosystem that connects fundraising, programs, engagement, storytelling, and digital strategy in mutually reinforcing ways.
• Identify opportunities for innovation in audience engagement, communications platforms, storytelling approaches, and digital experiences.
• Ensure the Federation’s communications platforms continuously evolve to maximize strategic impact, accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Crisis Communications and Reputation Management

• Establish crisis and issues‑communications frameworks, scenario plans, rapid response procedures, and approval protocols in partnership with leadership.
• Lead communications strategy during crises and other sensitive or time‑critical situations with authority, calm, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Anticipate, assess, and manage reputational risks, coordinating with the CEO, legal counsel, Senior Team, and other leaders on mitigation and response.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SUCCESS FACTORS

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in marketing, communications, or related fields, preferably in nonprofit or mission‑driven organizations.
• Executive‑level experience leading integrated marketing, communications, public relations, creative services, and digital functions across complex organizations.
• Demonstrated success in strategic leadership, organizational collaboration, brand stewardship, fundraising alignment, executive communications, media relations, and team management.
• Exceptional writing and editorial judgment, with experience translating complex or sensitive issues into clear, audience‑centered communications across channels.
• Experience leading organizational change, modernization, and innovation initiatives.
• Degree in marketing, communications, journalism, English, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of Jewish communal life and issues; understanding of the Palm Beach County Jewish community preferred.
• Ability to combine executive‑level strategic thinking with organizational leadership and results‑oriented execution.
• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Outstanding relationship‑building, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Solutions‑oriented mindset with strong judgment and executive presence.
• JFPBC strongly encourages applications from individuals with varied identities and backgrounds. As an equal opportunity employer, all individuals are encouraged to apply without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, veteran status, financial status, or any other class protected under federal, state, or local laws.

Work Environment:

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is committed to creating a workplace where employees feel supported, valued, and connected to our mission. Our offices are located in a beautiful facility in West Palm Beach, providing a professional and welcoming environment for both staff and visitors. The building is secured during business hours with dedicated safety personnel to help ensure a safe and supportive workplace.

Federation prioritizes employee well‑being and professional growth through a collaborative culture and a dedicated employee wellness program that promotes physical, mental, and emotional health. Employees also benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities, including in‑house courses through Federation University, cross‑departmental trainings, conference participation, professional certifications, and involvement in fellowships and leadership cohorts.

Employees of the Federation also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial security, and work‑life balance, including:

Health & Wellness Benefits Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision plans Disability and life insurance coverage A dedicated employee wellness program focused on overall well‑being

Time Off & Work‑Life Balance Generous paid time off Paid Jewish and U.S. holidays Early office closings on Fridays in observance of Shabbat Early closings on many holiday eves

Financial Benefits 401 (k) retirement plan with employer contribution pre‑tax benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

Pay Rate:

We benchmark our salary ranges for new hires in relation to the role, level, and role location; however, we consider a multitude of factors, to include relevant experience, skills, and education/training, to determine compensation within the identified range.

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time at Federation’s discretion. Employment is at-will, and this job description is not a employment contract. Nothing herein shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever an employment contract.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time at the Federation’s discretion. Employment is at-will, and this job description is not a employment contract, and nothing herein shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever an employment contract.