Vice President, Strategic Communications

ABOUT UNITED WAY:

For over 90 years, United Way of Massachusetts Bay has brought people, partners and communities together to solve our region's toughest challenges. Our work is centered on scaling safe and stable housing, strengthening educational opportunities, building economic mobility, centering youth and young adults, and stabilizing the safety net. United Way is advancing transformational impact through investing in communities and organizations, elevating community voice, sharing expertise and knowledge, convening partnerships across sectors and advocating for changes in public policy that scale what works. We believe real, transformative change only happens when people work together. We bring together community-based organizations, businesses, government, philanthropy, and neighbors to respond to today's challenges while building long-term solutions that help everyone thrive.  

We offer excellent benefits including a BCBS PPO plan, dental, 401k retirement savings with company match and a discretionary employer base contribution. Our PTO policy offers summer hours and a three-day closure for Thanksgiving. We also offer a hybrid work schedule, with a minimum of 2 fixed days in office per week. Additional in person work will be required based on the needs of the position and the organization.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Vice President of Strategic Communications is responsible for shaping and driving the organization's external voice, visibility, and influence. This role will lead an integrated communications function that connects storytelling, media, digital, and campaigns to advance organizational priorities and policy impact. Reporting to the Chief of External Affairs, the Vice President of Strategic Communications serves as a senior strategic partner, translating organizational goals into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with key audiences, elevate leadership voice, and drive measurable outcomes. Operating as a strategist, integrator, and decision-maker, this role will ensure our communications and messaging are a proactive force in advancing mission and impact. The Vice President for Strategic Communications will lead efforts to develop a clear, consistent, and differentiated organizational narrative and increased visibility and influence in media and public discourse through thought leadership positioning. This role will ensure strong alignment between communications, policy, and organizational priorities and be responsible for high-quality, timely, and strategic execution across all channels. The Vice President for Strategic Communications provides leadership on organization-wide culture and performance standards and input to policy development and implementation, along with playing a leadership role in staff resource and succession planning providing insights into risk management for the business function.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with the Chief of External Affairs to create UWMB's strategic communications and marketing strategy and lead its implementation;
• Work in close partnership with the Chief of External Affairs to set and drive narrative strategy, including but not limited to defining and/or evolving the organization's overarching narrative and positioning, translating complex work (policy, research, programs) into clear, compelling stories, and ensuring consistency across all external and partner/donor-facing communications
• Oversee the integration of external affairs communications with proactive communications planning and yearly development of an editorial content calendar to ensure all channels are aligned to shared priorities and outcomes.
• Elevate the executive and organizational voice by shaping and managing CEO/executive communications (op-eds, speeches, thought leadership), positioning UWMB's leadership team as credible, visible voices on key issues, and ensuring readiness for high-profile moments and external engagement.
• In partnership with the Community Impact and Development teams, shape and execute integrated campaigns tied to organizational priorities, ensuring communications support major initiatives, fundraising efforts and donor stewardship, research releases and events.
• Work collaboratively with VP of Policy and Government Relations and members of the External Affairs team to communicate UWMB's policy priorities and outcomes to the public, donors, volunteers and other key constituencies, translate policy priorities into public-facing narratives and campaigns and support advocacy efforts through strategic communications.
• Lead and develop a high-impact team, establishing clear roles, accountability and performance expectations, and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning and improvement.
• Budgetary responsibility - Work in collaboration with Division Chief and Finance to develop and manage functional budget.
• Partner with Development on high-visibility fundraising events to help drive awareness and revenue.
• In partnership with the Chief of External Affairs, drive proactive media engagement and relationship-building, identify and secure high-impact opportunities for visibility and help lead crisis communications and rapid response.
• Use data to inform strategy by leveraging analytics to assess progress against goals, monitor audience engagement, and adjust strategies and tactics accordingly.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 10–15 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or related field
• Proven ability to lead integrated communications strategies across media, digital, and content
• 5+ years managing direct reports. Ability to clearly demonstrate experience of supervising staff, as well as building, leading, motivating and mentoring teams of all skill and experience levels, both internal and external.
• College BS/BA education level required. Graduate degree, a plus.
• Strong experience working at the intersection of communications and policy or advocacy
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, including executive communications
• Demonstrated success in securing and shaping media coverage
• Experience advising senior leaders and managing high-stakes communications
• Ability to build consensus, collaborate with, convene and mobilize multiple partners and diverse stakeholders in efforts to produce specific deliverables
• Content knowledge and/or experience in one or more of UMWB's impact areas of economic inclusion and mobility, safe and stable housing, early education and out-of-school time, and pathways for youth and young adults and/or public health
• Strong knowledge of the communities within UWMB's service area and demonstrated ability to work within a community setting with diverse populations
• Excellent writing, editing, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills
• Ability to meet aggressive deadlines, adapt to an ever-changing political timeline and environment, handle multiple priorities, and strong creative problem-solving skills
• Strong leadership and team management experience
• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft software suite
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and to the mission of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay

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