Job Description

Position Overview

This position is responsible for ensuring all external SUFS communications have a cohesive message that promotes the organization’s mission. The Vice President of External Relations reports to the Chief External Relations Officer (CERO) and is a key member of the leadership team; as such they are expected to build and steward a positive team and organizational culture. This role strategizes, plans, directs, and oversees SUFS’ ongoing media, messaging, communications, operations, and procedures for all stakeholders and assists the CERO with the development and implementation of SUFS’ long-term communications strategy. The Public Affairs and RedefinED staff as well as others to be determined will report to the Vice President of External Relations.

Essential Functions

• Creates and leads the strategic communications elevating the profile of SUFS, education choice, and the families served.
• Serves as primary media and messaging strategist.
• Serves as a company thought leader on messaging to all stakeholders.
• Owns crisis communication planning and implementation.
• Establishes and oversees the management of proactive messaging strategies.
• Oversees responses to misinformation.
• Manages the Public Affairs team and other members of the External Affairs team.
• Ensures all SUFS messaging is cohesive and supports the organization’s mission.
• Deep understanding of Florida’s political landscape.
• Manages department budget.

The above is not an all-inclusive list of all duties performed, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. The Vice President of External Relations may be required to perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Position requires a Bachlor’s degree and 15 years of communications and leadership experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in campaigns, the legislative process, public relations, crisis management, and successfully building and leading teams is required. Must have excellent political acumen, judgment, and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation, conflict resolution, superior management, excellent cognitive and emotional management skills as well as an ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The individual should demonstrate competency in four categories: commitment to results, business savvy, leading towards improvement, and motivating employees.

Commitment to Results

• A systems thinker who is customer focused and goal driven.
• A self-starter and a team player.
• Identifies relevant information and helps transform this information into individual and organizational knowledge.
• Translates broad goals into achievable steps by being action-oriented and innovative. Anticipates and solves problems while taking advantage of relevant opportunities.

Business Savvy

• Knowledgeable in and experience in management and administration.
• Demonstrated experience in integrating and coordinating diverse areas of management.
• Knowledge in human resources, finance, personnel, oral and written communications, planning and evaluation, and governance.
• Able to make formal, persuasive presentations to groups and to effectively communicate with people throughout the community.

Leading Towards Change

• Possesses characteristics of a highly effective leader.
• Shares SUFS’ values, mission, and vision.
• Consistently displays integrity, models good behavior, develops people, and builds teams.
• Deals effectively with demanding situations as well as designs and implements effective solutions.

Motivating Employees

• Manages continuity, improvement, and transition.
• Understands how to influence and enable others.

Core Values

The Vice President of External Relations must demonstrate, communicate, promote, and instill the organization’s core values:

Everyone is an asset.

Every event is an improvement opportunity.

Physical Demands

This is a high-stress position based on full responsibility for operations.  Handles detailed, complex concepts and problems, balances multiple tasks simultaneously, and makes rapid decisions regarding administrative issues.  This position regularly requires standing, sitting, fingering, or manual dexterity, climbing, walking, lifting, grasping, speaking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Work Environment

This position is an office environment with very limited exposure to any outside fumes, odors, heat and/or weather conditions.  Maintains a flexible work schedule to meet the demands of executive management.  Hours may be long and irregular.  The Vice President of External Relations must be willing to travel. Conveys a professional and positive image and attitude regarding the not-for-profit and the for-profit sectors.  Demonstrates commitment to continued professional growth and development.  Establishes strong and appropriate relationships with President and Board, committees, staff, donors, and clients.  Develops smooth and constructive relationships with executive colleagues, outside agencies, organizations, and individuals.

How to Apply

Job Types: Full-Time.

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