Description
Position Summary
The Vice President of Communications and Marketing (VPCM) is a member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for stewarding and elevating MaineCF’s voice. The VPCM will shape and lead a forward-thinking communications, marketing, and brand strategy that helps MaineCF increase its impact, deepen its relevance, and grow its visibility with the many audiences it serves including fundholders, prospects, community partners, board members, staff, and other key audiences. The VPCM will oversee all facets of communications including brand, storytelling, content creation, and digital platforms to ensure a cohesive and authentic narrative aligned with MaineCF’s values. Partnering closely with the Management Team and colleagues throughout the organization, the VPCM will help translate MaineCF’s complex programs and initiatives with care and clarity and ensure that every communication coming from MaineCF is representative of its values and standards for excellence.
The VPCM supervises a small communications and marketing team of 1-3 employees and performs the duties of a department manager.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Foundation and Department Leadership
As an active member of the Management Team, participates in strategic planning, general organizational leadership and meetings of MaineCF’s board of directors
Represents the Foundation and/or CEO in functions or meetings, as requested
Monitors and draws from national trends in philanthropy-related communications broadly and community foundations specifically
Participates in national communications networks or community foundation learning opportunities
Ensures that all staff and board understand and can deliver core messaging
Leads, mentors, and supports the communications team across brand, digital, content, and media functions
Develops and monitors communications and marketing budgets
Communications and Marketing Strategy
Develops and oversees the implementation of a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy and plan for the Foundation that advances the organizational mission and strategic goals among key audiences including fundholders, prospects, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and community leaders
Develops and oversees tailored, impact-oriented communications and roll-out plans for the foundation’s strategic initiatives and other emerging priorities
Leads the continued evolution of MaineCF’s digital presence—including website, email, social media, livestreaming, and emerging platforms—to expand reach, foster connection, and support community impact
Drives the messaging, content development, design and production of all print materials, delivering them on time and within budget
Amplifies MaineCF’s established brand
Sets measures of the effectiveness of marketing and communications strategies and activities and oversees the effective use of Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Creative Storytelling
Leads MaineCF’s storytelling efforts to communicate a cohesive story that reflects MaineCF’s mission, vision, and values, and captures the Foundation’s impact by drawing from all departments as well as meeting the needs of individual departmental goals
Develops clear, compelling narratives around complex and sensitive topics that honor nuance, invite learning, and support thoughtful engagement across diverse communities
Serves as a trusted thought partner to the Management Team, helping translate ideas, values, and moments into language that resonates across internal and external audiences
Handles executive communications and message development for the CEO including high-level, high-impact written materials and develops messaging for CEO remarks/speeches relevant for specific audiences
Media Relations and External Affairs
Serves as a spokesperson for the organization
Develops, in partnership with the Director of Editorial and Media Relations, a media relations strategy for the Foundation
Serves as main point of contact for media, building positive organizational relationships with editors and reporters to garner consistent, positive coverage
In collaboration with the CEO and relevant senior leadership, leads the planning and execution of significant events
Ensures the strategic placement of advertising and sponsorships to reach key audiences with targeted messaging
Cultivates a strong network of contacts with key decision-makers, stakeholders, and industry associations to extend our reach within Maine
In partnership with CEO, meets with elected officials, lawmakers, and agency staff to help shape public policy and advocate for organizational priorities
Drafts briefing materials, fact sheets, and press releases to communicate organizational goals to policymakers and the public
Serves as the MaineCF liaison with external public and government affairs experts as needed
In partnership with others as applicable, helps track local, state, and federal legislation and regulations that may impact MaineCF or community foundations in general
Crisis Communications
Serves as our crisis communications leader and point person
Proactively plans for possible scenarios and ensures all involved understand what to do when predicted scenarios do occur
Anticipates and is available (seven days a week, if required) for critical PR needs
In partnership with the CEO, manages internal staff communications to provide reassurance and minimize business disruptions
Schedule and Location
This is a full-time, hybrid position (minimum 3 days in office), based out of our Ellsworth office
Candidates must live in Maine or establish Maine residency within three months of hire
Requirements
General Expectations
Be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Maine Community Foundation.
Be committed to service to donors, nonprofit organizations, and grantmaking volunteers.
Maintain open and effective communication with all departments within the Foundation; work as a member of the team in the performance of duties.
Work well with others.
Understand and work within Foundation policies and procedures.
Be reliable and trustworthy.
Be well organized.
Be punctual and use time efficiently.
Perform duties in a conscientious and cooperative manner.
Perform work in a timely fashion with a minimum of errors.
Maintain confidentiality for all information concerning MaineCF business, its employees, and its donors, as well as other appropriate information.
Be willing to share our commitment to equity and expect the person hired will use equity to inform their work with us.
Qualifications needed for position
Twelve to fifteen years’ experience leading a strategic communications and marketing department or creative agency with five to seven years management experience
Background with a strong storytelling, impact-oriented approach to message development with a preference for a gifted writer with a history of crafting and telling stories; ability to convey complex messages with care and nuance
Demonstrated political savvy—both in external relations (e.g., media, nonprofit leaders, elected officials) and internal dynamics (e.g., managing up, across departments)
Knowledge of communications challenges and opportunities of community foundations/philanthropy
Entrepreneurial mindset with an ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth environment
A calm, flexible, and decisive leader who is comfortable making fast, sound decisions in high-pressure or crisis situations while maintaining a steady focus on long-term strategy
Proven track record of serving as the most senior communications person working directly with CEO, senior leadership, and board
Experience advancing equity issues desired
Comfort working with a wide range of personal backgrounds of various foundation constituents
Strong working knowledge of core communications tools and digital media tools
Willingness and ability to travel regularly within Maine and some travel nationally to attend meetings and events outside regular work hours, including some evenings and weekends
Degree strongly preferred or demonstrated equivalent work experience
Knowledge of Maine, Maine media, and current issues in Maine is helpful
