Vice President, Marketing & Communications

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Vice President of Marketing and Communications (VP of M&C) reports directly to the President and CEO of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County (United Way) and serves as an integral member of the senior leadership team. The VP of M&C successfully develops and oversees execution of internal and external strategies to build brand awareness and experience, marketing innovations, communications, digital engagement, public/special events, and reputation management all aimed at reaching the strategic priorities of United Way by deepening understanding and relationships with existing stakeholders and earning new donors, volunteers and advocates for its work. The VP of M&C also staffs the Marketing & Communications Committee of the United Way Board of Directors and works collaboratively with the Chair of that Committee to ensure the Committee’s success.

As a member of the Senior Team, the VP of M&C plays a key role in organization strategy, planning, and culture.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Strategic Leadership

Create and oversee implementation of overarching United Way Marketing & Communications strategy and necessary tactics to achieve those strategies including establishing Departmental Annual Performance goals and M&C Committee dashboard metrics and preparing and managing Marketing & Communications annual operating budget in alignment with organizational goals.

In collaboration with the CEO and President and Chair of the M&C Committee of the United Way Board, recruit, and staff the committee to support them in their oversight and support functions.

Advise the President & CEO and advocate within the Senior Team for the strategy and resources necessary to elevate the profile, communications, and reputation of United Way.

Develop, monitor, and manage Marketing & Communication Departmental annual budget.

Oversee the Director of Marketing and the Director of Communications to ensure departmental resources are aligned, the team is maximizing its effectiveness and collectively building an effective and supportive team culture.

In collaboration with the Chief Development Officer, support the success of the annual Campaign Co-Chairs through coaching, training, and other support for them to achieve their annual goals.

In collaboration with the President & CEO, support the United Way Board Chair in messaging at all United Way events.

Serve as a strong, engaged ambassador in the community.

As requested, serve on ad hoc or other committees for United Way Worldwide to advance network efforts and to advocate for effective strategies for United Way.

Perform full range of managerial responsibilities which may include, but not be limited to interviewing, hiring, coaching and developing employees; planning, assigning and directing work, performance and project management, budgeting and vendor transaction approvals.

Communications

Lead the planning and execution of all internal and external communications efforts of United Way in its mission to unite people to create positive lasting change in our community. Oversee Director of Communications in setting the organizational tone and voice for all communication tools for external and internal audiences.

Ensure we are creating compelling, emotional stories that help people understand our work and that inspire and motivate people to engage with United Way.

Create an overarching United Way earned media strategy and work with the Director of Communications to implement that strategy to influence Unted Way’s story of community leadership and impact.

Serve as one of the organization’s spokespeople.

Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure crisis communication planning is in place and roles and responsibilities understood.

Promote United Way communicating its mission, values and impact while enhancing its image among key constituent groups locally and throughout the United Way Worldwide network.

Oversee efforts to coordinate with United Way markets on messaging needs for shared customers.

Marketing

Lead the planning and execution of all internal and external marketing efforts of United Way in its mission to unite people to create positive lasting change in our community with the primary goal of supporting the fund-raising goals of United Way.

Lead the creation and implementation of key marketing efforts that focus on securing new relationships for the organization and broadening the existing donor base including oversight of key organizational events.

Create an overarching United Way strategy to secure marketing and media sponsorships that are mutually beneficial and that drive meaningful organizational funding and outreach to intended audiences.

Oversee partnership with the marketing and media communities to develop and secure a strong advertising campaign resulting from effective media planning, negotiation and buying, plus creative development.

Ensure we protect the brand of United Way by overseeing brand consistency and the oversight of monitoring usage of its name, logo and overall identity ensuring compliance with established branding standards and guidelines in the marketplace.

Oversee that we are monitoring United Way Worldwide’s marketing efforts, and where appropriate, ensure we are leveraging those efforts as appropriate for our local market.

Serve as a strong, engaged United Way ambassador in the community.

DIRECT REPORTS: Director of Marketing and Director of Communications.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in strategic communications, marketing, or related field.

Minimum ten (10) years related marketing and communications management experience with demonstrated achievement in a competitive environment.

Strong vision and strategic thinking abilities that address integrated, short- and long-term organizational needs.

Demonstrated brand management skills.

Ability to develop strategic alliances in the community and with United Way Worldwide and its membership.

Demonstrated knowledge of the Greater Milwaukee market including the broad consumer market, local advertising and media communities, philanthropic environment and corporate landscape.

Leadership and team building skills, including coaching, negotiation, problem solving, and decision-making skills.

Strong oral, written and presentation communication skills.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Board of Directors and other volunteers, staff, media, marketing community, community groups, plus company and agency program partners.

Mission-Focused. The top priority for all United Way professionals is to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This drives their performance and professional motivations.

Relationship-Oriented. United Way professionals understand that people come before process and are astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.

Collaborator. United Way professionals understand the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.

Results-Driven. United Way professionals are 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. United Way professionals are stewards of the brand and understand their role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or board of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Good understanding of group dynamics and group facilitation skills. Experience working with diverse populations. Ability to prioritize and balance competing demands. Ability to work in a complex environment using technical and interpersonal skills. Ability to apply database management software concepts to practical situations. Proficient with computer applications such as MS Office, Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Andar (donor database), and Internet desired.

REASONING: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Able to drive reliable vehicle to meetings, appointments, and events.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
It is the policy of UWGMWC to comply with all relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended. UWGMWC will not discriminate against any qualified applicant with respect to any terms, privileges or conditions of employment based upon an individual’s physical or mental disability. UWGMWC will also make reasonable accommodation whenever and wherever possible for all employees or applicants with disabilities provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments required by the job, and provided that any accommodation does not require significant difficulty or expense. UWGMWC’s policy of non-discrimination applies to all personnel and employment practices including, but not limited to, job application procedures, hiring, advancement, termination, compensation, job training and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of UWGMWC to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, veteran status or military service, or other non-merit factor or other legally protected characteristic. This applies to all recruiting, hiring, placement, training, promotion, compensation, transfers and other employment-related programs and personnel actions.

BELONGING & INCLUSION STATEMENT: Belonging & Inclusion is a core value at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. We strive every day to enhance the culture of belonging and are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment. We believe this allows us to attract and retain the best possible colleagues to use their full gifts to serve our community. We are looking for other great colleagues who are excited about this important work.

This job description indicates the general nature and work level performed by employees within this position. It is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required. The duties and/or requirements of this position may be modified, added, or deleted at any time. Other duties may be assigned.