Vice President of Communications

Washington, DC, United States

Job Title: Vice President of Communications

Department : External Affairs

Location : Remote/Virtual within the continental US

Reports to: Chief External Affairs Officer

Classification: Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time

Pay Band: $125,184 - $187,776

Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a growing non-profit (Military Service Organization (MSO)) with a history of delivering innovative solutions. We're the team that senior DoD leaders seek out when they want ground truth on issues facing our military families. Our team members are motivated individuals that help each other do remarkable things for military families to bridge the civilian-military divide every day. We deliver first-class solutions that transform the military experience for military family members. We operate in an agile arena where great minds come together to make life better for military members and their families. We focus on data-driven insights while understanding the value of spirited storytelling. And we do all this in a highly flexible, virtual environment with great benefits! Our diverse and inclusive environment fosters a sense of belonging among our team resulting in innovative and creative decision-making.

Are you ready to make a difference for the families of those who serve our great nation? We are the ideal match for the innovator, the out-of-the-box, strategic thinker who understands the value of social impact.

General Description

The Vice President of Communications is a senior executive role responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies that support and advance the mission and goals of Blue Star Families (BSF). This role entails creating and implementing functional strategies, setting specific departmental objectives, managing the departmental budget, and effectively communicating across the organization.

The Vice President will lead the organization’s communications efforts, ensuring its alignment with the broader organizational strategy and goals. This position reports to the Chief External Affairs Officer and collaborates closely with other senior leaders, including the Executive Vice President of Digital Innovation and Vice President of Brand Marketing & Events. The role also involves coordinating with key communications vendors, funders, and strategic partners.

Key Job Functions

Strategic Leadership and Management

Oversee organization communications efforts including communications strategies, graphic design, and more.

Develops and implements functional strategies for the communications department, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

Oversight of project management on related projects and initiatives across the organization to ensure cohesive collaboration and communication between departments and leadership.

Establishes specific departmental objectives, policies, and procedures.

Manages the departmental budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources to meet strategic goals.

Leads the Communications team, including the Senior Manager - Graphics, and Communications Manager & Copy Editor.

Manages vendors and contractors to support strategic communications work, including contract management, negotiation, and invoice management.

Serves as a primary communications point of contact for the organization, acting as a conduit between senior leadership and internal teams.

Collaborates with Executive, Operations, Social Impact, Technology, and Development teams to execute campaigns and initiatives focused on member, stakeholder, and funder engagement.

Provides annual and post-campaign reporting.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Communications

Creates, implements, and measures the success of communications initiatives, such as SEO/SEM campaigns, to enhance BSF’s image and position within the nonprofit sector and beyond.

Develops communications plans in collaboration with other BSF team members to support achieving annual membership targets and strategic engagement vision

Serve as strategic and creative visionary for the national brand experience leading strategic plans for themed campaigns, programs, and initiatives.

Serve as a critical eye over strategic communication content and messaging to ensure brand messaging is on point and in line with organizational vision.

Establishes messaging frameworks that unify the organization’s communications and voice across various touchpoints.

Produces content alongside the Digital Innovation Team including blogs, podcasts, videos, website content, and more.

Ensures consistent articulation of BSF’s desired image, message, and position, both internally and externally.

Oversees the editorial direction, design, production, and distribution of all BSF print and electronic materials.

Provides oversight and direction for creative strategy.

Develops and maintains evaluation systems to measure the goals and objectives of the Communications Department, reporting progress to the CEAO

Recommends short- and long-term goals and objectives to the CEAO.

Stays informed of developments in communications, public relations, nonprofit management, governance, and the military community to drive innovation and initiative at BSF.

Ensures brand messaging aligns with organizational vision and strategic communication content is on point.

Focuses on enhancing the member, stakeholder and strategic partner experience across all touchpoints, including online, social media, email, and events.

Public Relations / Media Management

Collaborates with the Public Relations firm.

Develops editorial content and media strategies to promote campaigns, initiatives, and thought leadership.

Applies creative approaches to public relations efforts.

Builds relationships with media outlets and reporters to promote the BSF narrative.

Develops goals around earned media to advance BSF’s organizational priorities.

Fundraising

Collaborates with development to create and implement fundraising campaigns and appeals across digital channels to welcome new donors, engage existing donors, and maximize long-term revenue and support for the mission.

Coordinates with Brand Partnerships to develop and execute campaigns that raise money and engage members and supporters.

Tracks and reports against key performance indicators, focusing on maximizing return on investment and solving problems creatively.

Conducts market research, peer benchmarking, and other optimization strategies.

Supports the development team to optimize donor conversion rates.

Required Experience, Skills & Background

10+ years of experience in communications, with demonstrated success, preferably in the nonprofit sector.

5+ years of experience managing a communications team.

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing or a related field; a graduate degree is preferred.

Proven experience in the design and execution of marketing and communications strategies.

Excellent writing skills and experience writing various types of communications.

Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational, and personal sales skills.

Experience in budget management, personnel management, and vendor/contractor management.

Experience overseeing the design and production of print materials and publications.

Proven ability to acquire and engage members and/or donors.

Familiarity with web analytics tools and Google Analytics.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Occasional out-of-town, overnight travel is required

May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary to carry out key job functions

Physical ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs.

Preferred Experience, Skills & Background

Experience with membership-driven organizations

Familiarity stewarding donors and creating supporting collateral to engage donors

Familiarity with the military community, and a passion for Blue Star Families’ mission

Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, and project management software

More About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another.

Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation's awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.

Blue Star Families is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

EEO Policy

Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why Blue Star Families?

Virtual/remote nonprofit organization that moves with you (position specific)

Career growth opportunities

Excellent benefits (403(b) with matching, Flexible Spending, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Communications Allowance, and more)

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Leave for Active Duty Military Spouses

On-the-job professional development training

Front-line opportunity to positively impact the military experience

Competitive salaries

Workplace flexibility

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