Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) - Hybrid, Full Time

Description

The Girl Scout mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Behind every Girl Scout and volunteer is a team of local staff ready to help them earn that next badge, embark on a camping adventure, or organize an impactful service project.

We are Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey (GSNNJ) serving girls in grades K-12 in Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Northern Warren counties. We bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to 19,000 girls and 10,200 adult members. We are seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Chief External Affairs Officer to lead fundraising, government relations, and strategic public relations and communications efforts. 

The Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) is a senior leader responsible for advancing the mission and long-term sustainability of Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey (GSNNJ) through exceptional external engagement. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the CEAO provides strategic leadership across major and principal gifts, government relations, marketing and communications, and public affairs. This role requires a proven, results-driven leader with a strong track record of personally engaging and securing major gifts, cultivating high-level donor and corporate relationships, and successfully navigating government and public-sector partnerships. The CEAO will play a critical role in positioning GSNNJ as a trusted nonprofit partner with donors, corporations, foundations, municipalities, and government stakeholders across northern New Jersey.

Essential Duties: 

Fundraising & Major Gift Leadership

• Design and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward high-net-worth donors and institutional partners.
• Serve as a frontline major gift leader with a demonstrated record of securing significant philanthropic investments from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Build and manage a robust major gifts pipeline with clear metrics, accountability, and results-focused outcomes.
• Provide executive oversight for corporate partnerships including sponsorships, cause-marketing initiatives, and long-term corporate alliances as well as foundation relations, public funding, and grant partnerships, ensuring alignment with mission priorities.
• Partner closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to advance donor engagement, solicitation strategies, and stewardship efforts.
• Provide strategic leadership for GSNNJ’s Fund Development function. Foster a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization, reinforcing shared accountability for fundraising success.

Strategic Marketing Communications & Public Affairs

• Provide strategic leadership for GSNNJ’s marketing and communications functions to strengthen brand awareness, public trust, and community engagement.
• Provide strategic leadership for GSNNJ’s Marketing Communications function. Oversee media relations, public relations campaigns, and crisis communications strategy.
• Ensure consistent, collaborative, and compelling storytelling that highlights GSNNJ’s impact on girls, families, and communities.
• Leverage data and insights to refine outreach strategies and measure performance.

Government Affairs, Public Policy & Advocacy

• Support the President/CEO in planning and executing GSNNJ’s government relations strategy, including engagement with local, county, state, and federal officials and agencies.
• Prior experience of participating in government initiatives, public-sector partnerships, or advocacy efforts aligned with youth development, education, equity, and workforce readiness.
• Monitor public policy trends and funding opportunities impacting Girl Scouts and keep the CEO apprised of future opportunities. 
• Support representation efforts of GSNNJ in coalitions, advocacy initiatives, and civic forums that elevate the organization’s visibility and influence.
• Support the CEO with briefing materials, talking points, and strategy related to government engagement and public affairs.

Board & Organizational Leadership

• Actively engage and support the Board of Directors in fundraising, advocacy, and external relations.
• Lead and support relevant Board committees, including Fund Development and the comprehensive campaign committee
• Build, mentor, and lead high-performing teams across development, communications, and public affairs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred in communications, public affairs, public policy, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience with fundraising, external affairs, government relations, and strategic partnerships.
• Proven record of personally securing major and transformational gifts.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with government entities, public funding sources, and advocacy or policy initiatives.
• Strong understanding of public-sector environments and stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional executive presence, relationship-building, and communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance vision with hands-on execution.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing organizational growth.
• Preferred community connections within G SNNJ’s jurisdiction (Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, or Warren counties).
• Membership in GSUSA is required upon employment and annually thereafter (cost covered by GSNNJ)
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable automobile and auto insurance.
• Ability to travel throughout the jurisdiction to attend meetings during the day/evening/weekend

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to support the health and overall well-being of our employees. Benefits for our full-time employees include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401k retirement plan with an employer match; paid time off for vacation, sick days, and holidays with offices closed for winter holiday break; parental leave benefits, life, disability, accidental and critical illness insurance; legal and pet insurance; employee assistance program, professional development opportunities; flexibility and a supportive and inclusive work environment. 

Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.