Chief External Relations Officer

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity’s Chief External Relations Officer (CERO) is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of external relations strategies to maintain a strong public image of the organization. The CERO ensures that marketing, advertising, communications, fundraising, gift‑in‑kind donations, government affairs, event management, public involvement, and community relations efforts raise awareness of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity’s mission. As an essential member of the executive leadership team, the CERO works closely with the CEO and Board to guide strategic decisions related to organizational positioning, external partnerships, and public affairs, ensuring the long‑term sustainability of the organization. Key Responsibilities Leads external communications, partnerships, policy advocacy, and fundraising efforts to enhance organizational visibility, public perception, influence, and strategic impact while strengthening public trust and addressing community concerns. Collaborates with the executive leadership team to support overall business strategies and objectives. Aligns external engagement with strategic objectives by expanding impact, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and navigating external environments effectively. Oversees marketing plan execution for all branding strategies, promoting and enhancing the organization’s message to key audiences while ensuring consistent messaging. Actively pursues opportunities to increase brand awareness and impact and manages public engagement‑driven projects. Collaborates with internal departments to align external relation efforts, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), and organizational goals; responsible for public relations, marketing materials, and local media relations. In conjunction with the CEO, establishes annual development strategies to support general operations and oversees the planning and execution of special fundraising initiatives, such as campaigns to raise funds for capital, programmatic, and endowment programs. Creates an annual strategy to promote and increase the organization’s support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources. Optimizes identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individuals, corporations, and foundations. Leads and manages all aspects of the fundraising program, including major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, capital campaigns, special events, and grant writing. Develops and implements a donor‑centered fundraising approach that builds strong relationships with donors, emphasizes the organization’s mission and impact, and encourages donor engagement and investment. Assures organizational compliance with generally accepted fundraising principles, financial reporting requirements, and ethical codes of professional conduct. Directs activities related to identifying potential donors, developing relationships, and acquiring valuable donations and/or professional services from current and future gift‑in‑kind donors on behalf of the organization. Provides detailed fundraising progress reports to the CEO and Board. Builds and maintains relationships on behalf of the organization, connecting others to the mission and educating the public to enhance fundraising efforts. Oversees community relations activities related to planning, organizing, and managing all aspects of special events, developing and maintaining community partnerships, & sponsoring community events. Develops comprehensive government affairs strategies, advocacy, action plans, and partner engagement; identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for partnerships and collaborations with government entities; provides guidance over strategic advocacy efforts and cultivates positive relationships with elected officials, public entities, and quasi‑public stakeholders. Represents the organization at public meetings, industry conferences, and stakeholder events. Collects, analyzes, and evaluates data to ensure the effectiveness of initiatives. Participates in the annual orientation of new board members. Directly supervises and supports the development, gift‑in‑kind, government affairs, marketing, special events, and volunteer teams to ensure the optimization of each team member. Hires, trains, coaches, mentors, and supervises direct reports, evaluates staff performance, and holds them accountable for meeting objectives. Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, or a related field. Minimum of seven (7) years of external‑facing leadership‑level experience, including a combination of development, fundraising, marketing, public relations, government affairs, strategic planning, communications, and community engagement. Minimum of three (3) years of strong management and/or team leadership experience, including hiring, training, coaching, performance management, and disciplinary action. Previous experience in a nonprofit setting. Ability to create strategic multiyear strategies while building consensus among stakeholders to achieve organizational goals. Familiarity with current nonprofit marketing and fundraising practices. Demonstrated passion for the organization’s mission and fundraising, with a deep understanding of and commitment to the values and principles of the nonprofit sector. Proven experience leading grant‑writing programs and securing funding from a variety of sources, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, with a track record of achieving fundraising goals. Prior experience in public speaking and the ability to represent the organization to a variety of stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and partner organizations. Strong communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, relationship management, and collaboration skills. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver against deadlines while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy. Possesses flexibility necessary to adapt, respond, and meet the needs of the organization. Ability to foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the teams and across the organization. Demonstrated ability to develop positive, productive professional relationships with diverse stakeholders. Customer‑service commitment with interpersonal skills in working with colleagues and external constituents. Ability to thrive in a collaborative and fast‑paced environment. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and judgment. Ability to maintain effective cross‑sector communication. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge for Windows. Commitment to Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity’s mission and the principles of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). Must possess reliable transportation and a current Ohio driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record and insurability under commercial insurance. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in a relevant field. Ten years of demonstrated experience in external affairs. Certificate in fundraising management or CFRE designation. Position Details Reports to: President/CEO Department: Administration Employment Type/Classification: Full‑time (40 hours/week), Exempt Workweek: Monday through Friday; some evening and weekend work required. Targeted salary range: $130,000 – $140,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits Medical, dental, and vision insurance; health savings account; paid time off; paid holidays; 401(k) with employer match; EAP; life insurance, AD&D, STD, LTD; and employee discounts at the ReStore. Work Environment & Physical Requirements This position primarily operates in a professional office environment with standard office equipment, with some travel for meetings or conferences. The role also requires occasional work in outdoor environments, particularly during home visits and community events, sometimes in varying weather conditions. Occasional standing and walking are required. To Apply Submit a resume and letter of interest on Indeed, LinkedIn, or to: View email address on click.appcast.io. Please do not apply more than once. Priority will be given to candidates who include a letter of interest and resume. Only candidates selected for an interview will be notified. Equal Opportunity Employer Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and mission‑driven workplace. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected status. 2110 West 110th Street Cleveland, OH 44102 #J-18808-Ljbffr Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity