Vice President, External Affairs and Strategic Communications

Vice President, External Affairs and Strategic Communications
Tides

Tides, a nonprofit and philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing social justice, seeks a strategic, experienced, and mission-driven leader to serve as its next Vice President for External Affairs and Strategic Communications.

At a pivotal moment for the organization and the broader social sector, Tides is strengthening its executive leadership capacity to more effectively tell its story, engage stakeholders, and navigate an increasingly complex and contested external environment. This role reflects a deliberate elevation of external affairs and communications as a distinct function driven by strategic expertise. The Vice President will join the executive team at Tides and will work to shape the organization’s narrative, strengthen its public positioning, and ensure that Tides engages effectively with key audiences and internal and external stakeholders.

Tides is a family of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations that provide integrated services to partners advancing social change through philanthropic advising, fiscal sponsorship, grantmaking, impact investing, and capacity-building support. Guided by a commitment to justice, equity, and community power, Tides works in deep partnership with movement leaders, nonprofits, foundations, corporations, and donors to shift resources and decision-making authority to communities historically excluded from power.

As the organization looks ahead, Tides is focused on strengthening its positioning as the leading intermediary in social justice philanthropy that is connecting “doers and donors,” expanding its reach, and deepening its impact in a rapidly evolving and often challenging external landscape. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a member of the executive team, the Vice President for External Affairs and Strategic Communications is responsible for shaping and advancing Tides’ external voice, public positioning, and narrative. The Vice President owns the organization’s external voice; brand, market, and sector positioning strategy; narrative strategy; external affairs; executive communications; crisis response; and external stakeholder engagement, which includes, but is not limited to, relationships with national and regional media, philanthropic partners, fiscal sponsorship peers, policy allies, and movement-aligned organizations, cultivated and maintained in service of the organization’s communications and narrative goals.

The Vice President is responsible for protecting and advancing the Tides reputation and brand, building audience and constituent engagement, aligning marketing and communications with fundraising and programmatic strategy, and ensuring the organization speaks with clarity, courage, and discipline in a contested environment. The Vice President will work across Tides to ensure alignment between institutional priorities and external messaging, partnering with colleagues to translate programmatic work, partnerships, and impact into compelling, coherent narratives.

Tides is committed to providing a competitive compensation package and values pay equity while accounting for factors including location, skills, and relevant experience. Starting salary for this role will fall into one of three ranges, depending on your location:

• National market (most U.S. states): $191,000 - 238,800

• Moderate market (Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle metro areas): $208,400 - $260,500

• High market (New York City and San Francisco metro areas): $229,100 - $286,400

Please note the above geographic areas are examples and not a complete list. The Tides Talent Acquisition team will confirm each candidate’s placement within this structure. Tides offers a generous benefits package including: comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, life and disability insurances, retirement plan, educational assistance, confidential counseling and life balance resources designed to support the passion, commitment and energy that is vital to Tides team members.

Tides is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, with a hybrid work model that supports remote work from anywhere in the United States. The Vice President must have the ability to travel as required, including but not limited to: Tides’ offices in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY; industry convenings; and external partner meetings.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications (résumé with cover letter) should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website: For best consideration, please apply by

August 10, 2026

. Electronic submission of materials is required.

Cati Mitchell-Crossley, Evan Layne, and Julia Hochner
Isaacson, Miller

Tides is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, and bilingual individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we encourage and will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. If you seek an accommodation, please advise the search team in writing at the time you apply.