Vice President, External Engagement, Women's Refugee Commission

Vice President, External Engagement

Location: New York, NY or Washington, DC

Compensation range: $180K - $240K Significant Travel Required

About the Women's Refugee Commission

Women's Refugee Commission (WRC) is dedicated to protecting and empowering refugee, migrant, stateless, and displaced persons by serving as a witness to their struggles, amplifying their voices, and acting on their recommendations to ensure humanitarian systems better respond to their needs.

At this time of intensified threats and harsh treatment of refugees, migrants, and displaced persons globally, the women, children, and youth are bearing the brunt of the impact, as life-changing services are vanishing. In the United States, multipronged immigration enforcement actions have led to mass detention and deportation, family separation and complicated relations with scores of countries. The crisis is compounded by dramatic funding cuts across the sector and a growing backlash against gender equality that threatens to undo decades of progress.

To meet the growing needs, WRC is intensifying its role, exposing the far-reaching impact of funding and policy shifts, documenting the lived experiences of displaced women and young people, and insisting that their voices and recommendations inform the policies and actions that affect them. WRC works domestically, regionally, and globally, has an annual operating budget of $5.3 million and is in a stable financial situation with a healthy reserve.

Position Summary

The Vice President of External Engagement (VP) is a senior leader responsible for growing and diversifying the organization's revenue and elevating its visibility and reputation.

Reporting to the Executive Director (CEO) and serving as a key member of the leadership team, the VP oversees:

• Individual Giving (major gifts, annual giving, planned giving)
• Institutional Giving (foundations, corporations, government, UN, private sponsorships)
• Communications & Brand (marketing, media relations, digital media, storytelling)

The VP will design and execute an integrated external engagement strategy that increases philanthropic revenue, deepens stakeholder relationships, and strengthens the organization's brand and influence in support of its mission and strategic plan.

The Vice President will manage a high-performing team that currently includes a Senior Individual Giving Officer, an Associate Director of Institutional Giving, a Senior Communications Specialist, and an external media and branding consultant. The VP will have the opportunity to strategically grow and evolve the team over time in support of the organization's expanding development and communications goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy & Leadership

• Partner with the ED and Board to develop a multi-year external engagement strategy aligned with the strategic plan and revenue goals.
• Set clear annual goals and dashboards for fundraising and communications and regularly report progress to the ED and Board.
• Serve as a key ambassador and thought partner on issues related to visibility, positioning, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team across development and communications; foster a culture of collaboration and accountability across all WRC departments and teams.

2. Individual Giving

• With staff and Board, design and oversee a comprehensive strategy for the individual giving program (major gifts, mid-level, annual fund, and planned giving) that sets monthly and annual revenue goals and a strategic direction for growing this portfolio. Provide staff oversight and direction to implement the plan.
• Manage, cultivate, and grow a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects and engage directly in deepening those relationships and soliciting gifts.
• Partner with the ED and Board to engage them as effective fundraisers and ambassadors (e.g., prospect identification, donor visits, events).
• Ensure systems and practices for meaningful stewardship, donor recognition and sustained cultivation, and impact reporting.
• Supervise fundraising-related event design, management, and follow up for donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Collaborate closely with program and finance teams to develop compelling messages and content for donor engagement and to leverage WRC work to increase and deepen donor interest.

3. Institutional Giving (Foundations, Corporations, Government)

• Lead a comprehensive institutional fundraising strategy that sets annual revenue goals and focuses on multi-year, sustainable support from foundations, corporations, and, where relevant, governmental agencies.
• Oversee pipeline development, proposal writing, reporting, and relationship management with institutional funders.
• Collaborate closely with program and finance teams to develop compelling cases for support, accurate budgets, and strong reporting on outcomes and impact.
• Identify and pursue strategic opportunities such as challenge grants, sponsorships, and co-branded initiatives.

4. Communications, Brand & Visibility

• Develop and implement an integrated communications and brand strategy that raises the organization's profile among donors, partners, traditional and digital media, policymakers, and the public.
• Oversee brand positioning, messaging, and visual identity to ensure consistency and clarity across all channels and throughout the organization.
• Direct the creation and distribution of compelling content (stories, impact reports, videos, newsletters, social media, website) that drives engagement and giving, working in close collaboration with program staff for content.
• Manage and deepen media relations, including proactive outreach, press releases, op-eds, and crisis communications as needed.
• Align communications calendar with fundraising campaigns, program milestones, advocacy opportunities, and events.
• Leverage the expertise of WRC staff, partners, Board and Commissioners to increase the WRC visibility, profile, and influence.

5. Data, Systems & Operations

• Oversee department budgets and revenue forecasts; ensure accurate and timely revenue tracking and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with all fundraising and communications regulations and ethical standards, including donor privacy, acknowledgments, and branding guidelines.
• Ensure strong use of CRM and data systems to track relationships, revenue, and engagement across donors and audiences.
• Ensure strong use of analytics to segment audiences, inform strategies, and refine tactics in fundraising and communications.

6. Board & External Partnerships

• Lead Board Development Committee and provide Board members with clear, actionable data and strategies to support their role in fundraising and ambassadorship.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with peer organizations, coalitions, and stakeholders that extend the organization's reach and impact.

Qualifications

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising and/or external relations, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated success leading integrated development functions (individual and institutional giving).
• Experience engaging with and cultivating professional relationships and record of successful story placement with journalists and other media.
• Experience leading, conducting, or overseeing with communications/marketing functions; familiarity with brand strategy, digital engagement, and media relations.
• Effective public spokesperson and thought leader with experience presenting at influential public and private events.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Proven track record of securing and stewarding significant gifts from individuals and institutions.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and project and staff management skills.
• Effective public spokesperson with strong ability to represent the organization at high level events and in the media.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft and articulate a compelling case for support.
• Comfort working with data and analytics to drive decision-making.
• Ability to effectively engage and support the ED, senior leaders, and Board members in fundraising and external relations.

Personal Attributes:

• Deep commitment to the organization's mission, vision and values
• Relationship-builder with high emotional intelligence and cultural humility and demonstrated skills working across departments to foster organization-wide collaboration and cohesion.
• Entrepreneurial, results-oriented, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment undergoing growth or change.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• In addition to English, proficiency in at least one additional language is preferred.

Success Metrics

Within 12–36 months, success for this role could include: