Vice President, External Affairs: United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

The region’s first United Way was formed in 1921 as a “community chest.” Today United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is a modern, results-driven organization harnessing the power of collective generosity to create opportunity and stability for all neighbors. Building on more than a century of impact, we have transformed how we fundraise, partner, and deliver solutions by aligning resources and mobilizing cross-sector collaboration to tackle complex challenges no single organization can solve alone. With a focus on transparency, innovation, and measurable results, United Way is accelerating momentum to drive lasting change across our region.UWGPSNJ creates at-scale, long-term solutions to strategically address our community’s most pressing needs across a nine-county region. Through investments of more than $20 million annually and a growing portfolio of strategic initiatives the organization is redefining what a modern United Way can be: a catalytic force for lasting change, strategic partnerships, and unique impact.UWGPSNJ meets our region’s most pressing needs in Pennsylvania’s Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey’s Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, and Cumberland counties. Throughout this nine-county footprint, close to 650,000 residents live below the poverty line (U.S. Census, 2020). Moreover, studies show this crisis disproportionately impacts communities of color, who comprise most of the population we serve. To address this disparity, our organization invests more than $20 million each year into the community through various partner initiatives under the pillars of Early Learning, Career Pathways, Financial Empowerment, and Community Resiliency. These initiatives help more children read at grade-level, more people grow their financial assets, and more families increase their economic stability. Furthermore, UWGPSNJ powers special initiatives, including: The Promise: The Promise is a first of its kind public private ownership with the City of Philadelphia, advancing opportunities for low-income Philadelphians through a two-fold approach: Family Stability and Record Clearing. In the first three years of The Promise’s Family Stability Program, United Way, through our network of more than 20 partners in Philadelphia, helped over 38,000 clients each year unlock more than $145 million in tax credits and benefits for which they were eligible. In addition, The Promise’s Record Clearing initiative resulted in a total of 3,122 people meeting with lawyers for free at our 56 record clearing clinics and community fairs. Additionally, 2,039 people were eligible to move forward with sealing, expungement, and/or pardon, which represents 65% of those served. Camden Community Uplift (CCU): Camden Community Uplift is United Way’s place-based investment strategy in Camden, designed to accelerate economic mobility by aligning capital, community partners, and systems-level solutions. Through a $5M+ commitment, CCU is deploying coordinated funding and support to high-impact nonprofit collaboratives focused on benefits access, workforce development, and education. The model emphasizes cross-sector partnership, data-driven outcomes, and long-term sustainability, with the goal of increasing economic mobility and workforce retention for Camden residents Philadelphia Partnership for Nutrition and Health (PPNH):The Philadelphia Partnership for Nutrition and Health is a cross-sector accelerator advancing equitable access to nutritious food and quality healthcare across the region. Founded to address the systemic drivers of food insecurity and poor health outcomes. By strengthening coordination and unlocking new investment, PPNH is building an integrated ecosystem that improves health outcomes while reducing cost burdens across the system. Housing (Anchored Communities Fund):United Way’s Anchored Communities Fund is a mission-driven investment strategy to preserve and expand affordable housing across the Philadelphia region. Designed as a scalable, $100M impact fund, the initiative brings together catalytic philanthropic capital and impact investment to acquire and rehabilitate naturally occurring affordable housing while maintaining long‑term affordability. By leveraging private‑sector discipline, public sector alignment, and mission-aligned exit strategies, the fund aims to stabilize neighborhoods, prevent displacement, and ensure that housing remains a foundation for economic mobility.Learn more about United Way at . The Role: United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is seeking a Vice President, External Affairs to serve as a key member of the executive leadership team and a critical driver of the organization’s next phase of evolution. The VP will operate at the intersection of external engagement and internal execution—serving as a trusted extension of the President/CEO externally while ensuring that stakeholder commitments, priorities, and insights are translated into aligned, disciplined action inside the organization. This is a role for a leader who is equally at home in a room with major donors, government officials, and civic partners as they are driving internal coordination, accountability, and follow-through. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the VP serves as a strategic peer to the organization’s other key leaders and as a visible, credible representative of UWGPSNJ’s leadership to the external world.At a moment of significant transformation, UWGPSNJ requires a senior leader who can bridge the CEO’s external presence with the operational coherence the organization needs to execute at scale. The VP will advance key external partnerships and stakeholder relationships on behalf of the CEO, lead communications and government relations, and bring the discipline and coordination required to ensure that cross-functional priorities are clear, resourced, and delivered. This role also carries direct oversight of marketing, events, and digital presence—ensuring that how UWGPSNJ shows up externally reflects the ambition and rigor of its work internally.The VP’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: External Engagement & CEO Partnership Serve as a strategic partner to the President & CEO, playing a critical role in aligning executive priorities with organizational execution. Lead and assist with high-priority projects or pilots on behalf of the President & CEO, particularly those requiring cross-functional integration and problem-solving. Establish a strong relationship with the President & CEO—building trust, understanding key priorities and timelines, and representing the organization internally and externally to drive progress among organizational leadership and maintain relationships with key partners. Partner with key organizational leaders to align project goals, resources, and timelines with organizational strategy. Build and sustain relationships across a diverse set of external stakeholders and internal departments, navigating complexity with credibility and trust. Communications & External Affairs Lead the organization’s overall brand strategy and external positioning, ensuing clear, compelling and differentiated voice across all channels and audiences. In partnership with the CEO and Vice President of Impact, lead the development and execution of a comprehensive government relations strategy to advance the organization’s policy agenda and funding priorities. Cultivate and manage relationships with elected officials and government agencies to position the organization as a trusted partner and advocate on key issues, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and impact strategies. Oversee the Engagement, Events, and Communications function, including direct supervision of internal staff and management of external communications, public relations, and government affairs vendors. Oversee the organization’s website, social media, and other external communications channels and initiatives, ensuring consistency, accuracy, alignment with organizational brand and messaging. Collaborate across all relevant teams to keep content fresh and aligned with organizational priorities. Organizational Effectiveness & Internal Alignment Speak and act on behalf of the President & CEO to the board of directors and in meetings, communications, or decision‑making processes, as delegated, ensuring continuity and alignment across executive functions. Support alignment on CEO‑led priorities by ensuring clear communication and follow‑through on select cross‑functional priorities, ensure that external priorities and initiatives are effectively communicated, implemented, and supported internally. Facilitate preparation of materials for executive briefings, stakeholder meetings, and board‑level communications. Candidate Profile: We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics: External Leader & CEO Integrator A leader who thrives at the intersection of external relationship‑building and internal execution. This individual serves as a credible, visible extension of the CEO and represents the organization with senior stakeholders. They advance partnerships, carry the organizational narrative externally, and ensure that insights and commitments coming back into the organization are operationalized with clarity and follow‑through. Skilled Relationship Builder & Cross‑Sector Connector Brings credibility and ease across the full range of UWGPSNJ’s external landscape, including elected officials, government agencies, corporate partners, philanthropists, and civic leaders. Skilled at building trust quickly, navigating complex stakeholder environments, and representing the organization with authority, judgment, and care. Communications Strategist & Narrative Steward Understands that how an organization communicates is as important as what it does. Brings a clear, compelling voice to external messaging across government relations, digital platforms, media, and stakeholder communications. Ensures that UWGPSNJ’s brand and narrative remain cohesive, current, and reflective of the organization’s impact. Organizational and Operational Leader Able to bridge external and internal initiatives and priorities through communication, collaboration, and cross‑team coordination and leadership that matches and enables an ambitious external agenda. Demonstrates a track record of bringing order and discipline to complex, fast‑moving organizations. Introduces clear processes, decision‑making structures, and accountability frameworks while maintaining momentum. Adaptable, Low‑Ego, and Mission‑Driven Thrives in a fast‑moving, entrepreneurial environment. Brings flexibility, humility, and a willingness to step in where needed, whether that means supporting a high‑stakes external meeting or solving an internal coordination challenge. Comfortable navigating ambiguity while maintaining focus on outcomes and organizational momentum. Additional Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree in public administration, nonprofit management, business, or a related field is preferred. Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, operations, executive support, or strategic planning—preferably within the nonprofit, philanthropic, or public service sectors preferred Demonstrated ability to manage complex initiatives, collaborate with senior leaders, and drive measurable outcomes. Excellent communication, organizational, and stakeholder engagement skills. Works proactively and is highly responsive with the ability to work in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment. Ability to exercise excellent judgment, strategic insight, and an ability to connect the dots across teams and priorities. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet). Compensation and Benefits: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $190,000-$200,000 with a generous benefits package. Contact: DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan and Malissa Brennan. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume byfilling out our Talent Profile . All inquiries are strictly confidential.DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please View email address on click.appcast.io . If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.United Way promotes a culture of inclusion and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected factor. #J-18808-Ljbffr Bryn Mawr College