AVP, Communications
3 days ago
New York
Job Description Position: Associate Vice President, Communications Reports to: Vice President, Marketing and Communications Department: Marketing and Communications, Development Organization Summary: United Way of New York City (UWNYC) works with a coalition of trusted partners to unite community power with citywide possibility. Together, we meet today’s most urgent needs while building transformative solutions for tomorrow — striving for health, opportunity, and prosperity for every New Yorker in every neighborhood. Part of the United Way Worldwide system, one of the world’s most recognized charitable brands, we believe that New Yorkers deserve to thrive where they live and envision a future where all New Yorkers have the resources they need to live long, healthy lives in flourishing and resilient neighborhoods. We strive to model our values in all our relationships, both internal and external: Collaboration, Compassion, Integrity, Accountability, and Superior Performance. Position Overview: Reporting to the Vice President, Marketing and Communications (VP), the Associate Vice President, Communications (AVP) plays a pivotal role in advancing United Way of New York City’s mission to unite community power with citywide possibility. This leader drives the organization’s communications strategy to amplify the voice, reputation, and visibility of UWNYC’s Community Impact work across New York City, ensuring our stories reflect the strength, resilience, and partnership at the heart of our efforts. Serving as senior speechwriter to the President & CEO and members of the Executive Leadership Team, the AVP shapes compelling executive messaging that inspires stakeholders, deepens engagement, and advances equity and opportunity for New Yorkers. In close partnership with Marketing and Experiential Marketing leadership, this role leads efforts to develop integrated communications strategies that position UWNYC as trusted brand stewards and thought leaders across the organization, with partners, agencies and consultants. Primary Responsibilities: Executive Communications & Speechwriting • Primary writer for UWNYC’s external-facing materials, including senior speechwriter for the President & CEO., • Partners with the Chief of Staff to execute President & CEO’s media availabilities, events, and speaking engagements, which included drafting, editing, and finalizing remarks, statements, and speeches., • Manage PR firm to support all external relations and strategic communications needs as appropriate, including thought leadership to raise Leadership’s profile in service of UWNYC, adding warmth, expertise and executive voice to the brand. Strategic Communications & Brand Management • As both a strategist and an operator, project manager and trafficker; manage multiple internal & external “campaigns” to build awareness and passion for the UWNYC brand, ensuring that all marketing collateral and communications reflect and embody our innovative, impactful work while enhancing the visibility and public perception and reputation of UWNYC. Train Communications Associate to partner to own and ultimately lead as well., • Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization – lead in protecting brand reputation and integrity, managing PR firm to support., • Partner with PR firm and VP, to develop UWNYC’s strategic communications plan., • Execute strategic communications plan with Communications Associate., • Establish an annual communications calendar and production schedule., • Review all UWNYC materials for brand fidelity and cohesive language across programmatic areas. Cross-Functional Partnership & Organizational Alignment • Continue to champion a rich understanding of UWNYC’s Community Impact programs, and policy issues surrounding them, in partnership with Strategic Initiatives and Government Relations., • Partner with the Marketing Team and VP, to ensure rich understanding of UWNYC’s value proposition in the media, and target audiences (personas) through agency research and routine review of campaign/press results with team., • Collaborate with Marketing colleagues on how press and communications should be highlighted on the website and newsletter., • Work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions. Define and execute appropriate strategies to support them. Team Leadership & Culture • Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality., • Foster a positive team culture by promoting open communication and collaboration to foster accountability and growth., • Set clear performance goals for team members and provide regular feedback., • Encourage professional development by identifying development training opportunities to support professional growth., • Monitor project progress and ensure adherence to timelines and budgets., • Facilitate open dialogue to resolve issues promptly and maintain team morale., • Lead by example in embracing change and adapting to new processes or systems., • Communicate the benefits of change to encourage team buy-in and minimize resistance., • Conduct scheduled performance evaluations to assess team effectiveness and individual contributions. Skills, Knowledge, and Experience: • Bachelor’s Degree required in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, ora related field., • 7+ years of experience in Marketing and Communications in a consumer-facing organization., • Excellent writer—writes clearly and turns complex information into simple value propositions., • Experienced communicator—can confidently and eloquently inform the business value of our communication and marketing strategies., • Ability to work in a team environment with a variety of departments and competing priorities., • Combines a deep level of communications and marketing experience with technology and a passion for making New York City a place where every resident can thrive., • Excellent strategic and analytical thinking, problem solver, and project manager with strong presentation skills., • Disciplined, great attention to detail, and follow through., • Can work in a fast-paced environment, handle a large workflow, and be very organized and efficient with a strong ability to multi-task. Key Competencies: • Effective and Engaging Communicator, • Brand Stewardship & Reputation Management, • Strategic Messaging & Narrative Development, • Collaborative Team Player and Leader, • Strategic Planning and Execution, • Systems & Organizational Acumen, • Embraces and Manages Change, • Entrepreneurial and Innovative Drive, • Equity & Inclusive Storytelling Salary Range: • Job Title Salary Range, • The final determination of salary, within this range, will depend on the candidate’s education, skills and experience required for the position. Additional Requirements: • Successful completion of background check., • UWNYC is presently on a Hybrid/In-Person work schedule. United Way of NYC Core Competencies for All Staff • Mission Focused: Catalyze others’ commitment to the mission to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This drives their performance and professional motivations., • Relationship-Oriented: Understands that people come before processes and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal., • Collaborator: Understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement., • Results Driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good: creating, resourcing, scaling and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact., • Brand Steward: Steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network. United Way of New York City is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer