Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Job Description

Job Description

OPPORTUNITY PROPOSITION

As Vice President of Marketing and Communications, you will impact the United Way of Greater Los Angeles as a strategic, mission-driven leader responsible for shaping the organization’s marketing and communications strategy towards ending poverty and expanding opportunity. As a member of the Executive Team and reporting to the President and CEO, you will contribute to organizational strategy and ensure that marketing and communications initiatives advance overall goals and support the values of equity, dignity, and hope.

 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To elevate visibility, inspire donors and partners, and drive revenue growth through compelling storytelling, innovative campaigns, and effective donor engagement strategies. While leading and developing an integrated team of marketing and communications professionals, the vice president will oversee brand management, media relations, digital platforms, content creation, and marketing initiatives that retain and grow the donor base while deepening community engagement.

 

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Strategic Leadership

o   Develop and execute an integrated marketing and communications strategy to increase awareness, grow revenue, and expand donor engagement and retention.

o   Serve as chief brand steward, ensuring consistent, effective, and authentic messaging that reflects the organization’s mission and impact.

o   Lead and develop a marketing and communications team, providing mentorship, guidance, and strategic direction to achieve organization-wide goals and objectives. Motivate team to work collaboratively and efficiently across all stakeholders, including fundraising and community impact.

o   Serve as strategic communications advisor to the CEO, fundraising leader, and executive team, aligning messaging with fundraising, advocacy, and program goals.

• Marketing & Donor Engagement

o   Oversee the development of multi-faceted, compelling marketing campaigns utilizing targeted content tactics that are impactful and respectful to engage with both existing supporters and new audiences to increase revenue.

o   Develop donor engagement strategies, in partnership with colleagues in fundraising, that increase acquisition, retention, and lifetime donor value.

o   Oversee website, social media, email marketing, and digital platforms to grow reach and engagement.

o   Enhance online presence by optimizing use of website and digital platforms and technologies that support organizational goals. Ensure an effective tech stack that can enable the successful implementation of digital campaigns and analytics capabilities.

o   Guide small-dollar digital marketing and fundraising efforts to ensure the organization reaches or exceeds an annual online fundraising goal of $500k.

o   Provide support to Strategic Partnership’s fundraising efforts through development of fundraising collateral including cases for support, impact reports, donor presentations, and visual content including videos.

• Communications & Brand Management

o   Lead the development of high-quality content across channels that inspire giving and strengthens reputation.

o   Create a communications cadence and calendar for United Way’s key constituents: corporate partners, individual donors, foundations, community partners, Board of Directors, and United Way team.

o   Lead strategic media relations efforts, serving as spokesperson when appropriate, and proactively securing coverage that elevates the mission.

o   Ensure United Way is engaged in policy and civic dialogue on key topics including economic mobility, education, homelessness, housing affordability, and racial justice. Plan forums and press events, and secure opportunities for team members who are experts in these areas to engage with media outlets both on the record and on background.

o   Work closely with the Executive Team to effectively anticipate and respond to issues. Help develop a framework for addressing concerns, highlighting positive messages, and communicating to stakeholders within the organization.

o   Ensure communications advance equity, use inclusive language, and amplify the voices of those with lived experience.

• Operational Leadership

o   Oversee the selection and relationships with external vendors, agencies, and consultants to extend and make efficient use of staff and resources.

o    Advance an organizational events strategy that includes plans for effective message delivery, audience engagement, sponsorships, increasing attendance and participation, budget and resource allocation, risk management, and effective return-on-investment. Maximize these community and fundraising events with strong marketing and digital engagement.

o   Manage department budget and allocate resources to maximize impact and demonstrate clear return on investment (ROI).

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL PROFILE

• Demonstrated ability to see the big picture and translate it into actionable communications strategies, ideally in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Empowering leadership style and strong emotional intelligence that inspires a positive, respectful culture where individuals are motivated to do their best.
• Donor-centered mindset, with a strong understanding of donor motivations, retention strategies, and philanthropic communications; skilled at framing narratives that inspire generosity and partnership.
• Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth and donor engagement through integrated marketing and communications.
• Creative, innovative, and action-oriented with the ability to assimilate information quickly, test new approaches, and ultimately translate strategies into achievable steps.
• Data-driven communications mindset, with a firm grasp on trends and technologies, as well as the ability to effectively deploy tools and resources.
• Audience-focused approach; tailors communications to target audience and desired outcomes.
• Collaborative, with a strong orientation towards building internal partnerships and trust with development, programs, and executive leadership.
• Ten or more years of relevant experience with a minimum of three years supervising direct reports in a marketing communications team, ideally in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Understands the value of racial equity as an organizational operating principle and committed to continued learning on issues related to race, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field (master’s degree preferred).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Hiring Salary Range: $175,000-210,000 per year dependent on internal equity and a variety of job-related factors including, but not limited to, experience, training, education, and market demands. This position is bonus eligible.
• The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 403(b) plan, pension, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, paid holidays, paid time off, and car allowance.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.