Full-Time Chief External Affairs Officer (Hybrid)
Job Description
Bonsai Leadership Group is excited to support ProGeorgia in its search to find its first Chief External Affairs Officer.
ABOUT PROGEORGIA
ProGeorgia is a bold, trusted, and diverse collaborative that champions an equitable and inclusive democracy for and with traditionally underrepresented communities. ProGeorgia supports and coordinates the civic engagement programs of diverse partner organizations across Georgia. In addition, ProGeorgia develops the infrastructure, executes joint strategies, and employs new tools and technology to ensure a government that is more responsive to the needs of our constituencies.
ProGeorgia believes that every citizen should be able to vote without undue obstacles, roadblocks, restrictions, confusion, or intimidation.
Our democracy is stronger when all people participate.
Our government has a responsibility to work for all of its citizens.
As progressive community members, we are stronger when we work together.
To learn more about ProGeorgia, visit progeorgia.org.
THE OPPORTUNITY
ProGeorgia is seeking an accountable, passionate, goal-oriented visionary to serve in a critical new role as Chief External Affairs Officer. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief External Affairs Officer will create and lead all externally facing initiatives that will grow the institutional and individual donor base, increase membership, generate brand awareness and strengthen communications in alignment with the mission, values, and strategic direction of the organization. As a key member of the Executive Team, the Chief External Affairs Officer will serve as an articulate, passionate, and visible spokesperson and as a prominent fundraising face throughout the organization and among stakeholders.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate in this role will have the ability to balance being both a strategic and hands-on external affairs leader while partnering with a visionary and vibrant Executive Director to drive transformative and sustainable growth. The Chief External Affairs Officer will be highly skilled in the areas of marketing, communications, and branding. In addition, the Chief External Affairs Officer should bring a record of developing successful relationships, particularly with philanthropic/institutional funders and individual donors that generate revenue for mission-based organizations or initiatives with an annual philanthropy goal of at least $10M or more. The Chief External Affairs Officer will be a committed, flexible, influential, innovative leader with an understanding of and respect for grassroots organizing and participatory democracy who can inspire others, find common points of interest, and motivate partnership and investment in ProGeorgia’s mission and initiatives.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chief External Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following key responsibilities:
External Affairs
Develop and implement a comprehensive external affairs strategy that aligns with ProGeorgia’s mission, values, and strategic objectives.
Collaborate with senior leadership to integrate external affairs efforts into the overall organizational strategy.
Identify and establish partnerships with external organizations, coalitions, and influencers that align with ProGeorgia’s mission and goals.
Fundraising
Serve as both a high-level philanthropy strategist and hands-on leader, with the ability to leverage the Executive Director, executive team, and Board to further critical donor relationships.
Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to achieve $20M+ in annual fundraising revenue to support the organization’s mission and vision.
Maintain a portfolio of prospects/donors and identify, cultivate, and successfully solicit prospects and renewing donors with a focus on six-and seven-figure prospects.
Monitor and report on fundraising progress, evaluate results and adjust strategies as necessary.
Develop and produce regular reports for the Executive Director and the Board of Directors that synthesize the financial progress and trends of revenue activities.
Ensure the implementation of inspiring, memorable, and scalable donor engagement strategies designed to strength relationships with current and prospective donors.
Marketing & Communications
Spearhead the development, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive communications strategy that will enhance ProGeorgia’s position with new and existing audiences and prospective donors.
Define, build, protect and promote the mission, brand, and impact of ProGeorgia throughout all external communications.
Support and serve as a spokesperson for the Executive Director for public appearances and responses to media inquiries.
Lead all crisis communications.
Membership
Devise and execute strategies to significantly increase ProGeorgia’s membership base by targeting key demographics and segments.
Develop data-driven approaches to identify potential members, including segmenting target audiences and tailoring outreach efforts.
Collaborate with teams to create membership benefits, programs, and events that drive retention and attract new members.
Utilize innovative methods, including digital platforms and community partnerships, to engage individuals and encourage membership enrollment.
Team Leadership
Lead, manage, develop, and mentor the External Affairs team in a manner that ensures the successful execution of externally facing initiatives.
Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages innovation and teamwork.
Set clear objectives, goals and metrics for the External Affairs team to guide sustainable growth.
Conduct performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
Create and promote a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment.
Prepare staffing plans and collaborate with the Director of Human Resources to expand the team.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate for Chief External Affairs Officer will possess many of the experiences and qualifications described below but need not possess them all to be considered:
A passionate commitment to working for a progressive organization committed to the goals of ProGeorgia, including civic engagement and economic, social, and racial justice.
7+ years of senior leadership in the nonprofit sector with successful experience in fundraising, communications and marketing roles.
Proven experience building and growing a comprehensive fundraising program with a particular focus on major, annual, corporate, and foundation giving and achieving fundraising goals in excess of $15M annually.
Skilled in successfully implementing major marketing and communications initiatives.
Superior experience building and managing strong, positive relationships with stakeholders including underrepresented and/or diverse communities.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects from conception to completion with great attention to detail while minimizing complications, maximizing effectiveness, and keeping the organization informed and engaged.
Superior oral and written communication skills and strategic listening skills are necessary to effectively exercise tact, discretion, judgment, and diplomacy when interacting and/or negotiating with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
Proven track record of developing and overseeing processes and implementation as well as measurement, reporting and analysis.
Extensive and proven management experience including ability to inspire, motivate, lead, set objectives, train, develop and manage the performance of a large multi-disciplinary team.
Career track record that shows stability with an organization and capacity to develop and nurture relationships culminating in overall success.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
10+ years of senior leadership in the nonprofit sector with successful experience in fundraising, communications and marketing roles.
Prior experience working with justice-based organizations.
CFRE certification
TRAVEL
Approximately 25-30% of your time will be spent traveling.
LOCATION
The position will be based at ProGeorgia’s office in Atlanta, GA. The office operates with a hybrid remote/in-person environment requiring staff to come into the office 2-3 days a week. ProGeorgia is open to qualified candidates willing to relocate to Atlanta, GA.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The competitive base salary range for this position is $150,000 – $175,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. In addition, ProGeorgia also offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; 401k and company matching; and generous holiday, vacation, and leave benefits.
How to Apply
Bonsai Leadership Group has been exclusively retained for this search. To make recommendations or to express interest in this role, please email Careers@BonsaiLeadershipGroup.com and include “PG CEAO” in the subject line. All applications must include a letter of interest and a resume.
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience and will be screened against the criteria listed in this profile.
All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
ProGeorgia State Table is an equal opportunity employer and having a diverse staff is a fundamental principle at ProGeorgia, where employment, development and promotion opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.
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