POSITION GUIDE INSTITUTION: POSITION: REPORTS TO: LOCATION: Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (SCF) www.skillsforchicagolandsfuture.com Vice President of External Affairs President & CEO Chicago, IL ORGANIZATION Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (SCF) is a nonprofit organization that creates demand-­‐driven solutions for employers to get the under and unemployed back to work. SCF just completed its three year strategic growth plan to put 5,000 under and unemployed back to work by focusing on four main strategy areas including: Scale – Grow SCF’s placement model in Chicagoland and drive client value. Innovate – Provide new, demand-­‐driven placement offerings for employers. Sustain – Monetize services and diversity funding. Lead – Serve as a regional and national labor market thought leader on demand-­‐driven solutions and inspire system change. Launched in 2012, SCF has placed more than 1,200 unemployed and underemployed job seekers into employment through strong partnerships with nearly 50 local employers. SCF is chaired by Glenn F. Tilton, United Continental Holdings, Inc., retired Chairman of the Board, and governed by a Board of Directors comprised of 20 chief executive and human resources officers from Chicago-­‐area corporations. The public-­‐private partnership is funded by the City of Chicago and The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, as well as a wide range of foundations and corporations. With a 2015 budget of $4.2M in revenue, SCF’s strategic growth plan includes revenue growth to $7.5M by 2017 through a combination of public grants, corporate and community foundation grants and fee for service programs. For more information about Skills for Chicagoland’s Future, please visit www.skillsforchicagolandsfuture.com. OPPORTUNITY: The Board and leadership of SCF are dynamic and innovative, continually seeking new ways to advance and communicate the mission. While designated as nonprofit organization, SCF has the cultural feel and accompanying expectations of an entrepreneurial business that is metrics-­‐ driven and an impactful, efficient and sustainable market leader. Growing the base of support is essential for the SCF to continue to evolve, thrive and grow. While SCF obtains significant funding from government grants, philanthropic foundation support is a substantial and growing area of revenue for SCF. Philanthropic support is secured predominately from institutional funders (corporations, foundations and public sector funders) and this will continue to be the emphasis for growing the base of support. As SCF expands geographically and programmatically there will be new opportunities to expand the base of support as well. Historically, the bulk of the relationship building and strategy for philanthropy has been set by the President & CEO with Board involvement. Although the role of Vice President of External Affairs is not a new position, the role has shifted from an emphasis on marketing and public relations to an increased focus on fundraising. The SCF team embraces creativity in all its activities and will expect that innovative approaches such as social impact bonds be explored and, if appropriate, incorporated into the fundraising strategy going forward. The newly adopted three year strategic growth plan calls for a sophisticated fund development leader and manager to ensure that thoughtful and realistic goals are met and, ideally, exceeded. This shift to a greater fundraising impact is essential but it is also important to note that the organization is accustomed to strong staff leadership and support for public relations and marketing activities. It will be critical to retain the exemplary public relations activities and enhance marketing to continue to build the SCF brand in partnership with marketing and public relations firms. One of the key outcomes of a successful marketing campaign will be evidenced by significantly increasing the number and diversity of candidates to SCF’s database. SCF currently receives about 500-­‐600 applications/month, ideally this will grow to closer to 2,000 applicants/month. An exciting element of this growth will be on building a more geographically, professionally and culturally diverse database of applicants. The opportunity now exists for a seasoned, energetic development professional to take the lead on strategically growing the base of philanthropic support for SCF and continuing to position SCF as a leader in reducing unemployment through its ground-­‐breaking demand-­‐driven partnership model. POSITION Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice President of External Affairs will be responsible for the development, execution, and oversight of the SCF fundraising strategy, marketing and PR/communications operations. As a strategic member of the management team, this person will ensure that SCF has sufficient resources to carry out its mission and achieve its vision. This will include working collaboratively with the President & CEO, executive leadership team, and the Board to develop a strategic development plan that will provide the financial foundation for the organization to grow and expand into new areas. The Vice President will also play an integral role in Board development and stewardship with executive staff management of the Board of Directors Nominating Committee and creation of a new Board of Directors Development Committee. In addition, the Vice President of External Affairs will guide a roadmap for the marketing and communications tools and materials needed to support expansion messaging to businesses and job seekers and drive growth in the number and diversity of applicants to the SCF database. The Vice President of External Affairs will manage the Senior Marketing Associate, Senior Development Associate, Communications Intern(s), PR Firm, Website Developer and Advertising Agency. RESPONSIBILITIES SCF is seeking a Vice President of External Affairs to develop a top tier external affairs department that exceeds its fundraising and marketing targets and delivers high customer service and results aligned with SCF’s strategic three year strategic growth plan. The Vice President of External Affairs will be responsible for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of fundraising, marketing and public relations activities directly aligned with the strategic plan as well as positive positioning of the organization’s mission and its leadership locally and nationally. This individual will be an ambassador for the organization and will represent the organization with multiple partners. The main goal of the Vice President of External Affairs is to develop and execute fundraising and marketing strategies to achieve the organization’s goals, as well as to drive broader awareness and donor support for the organization while maximizing the number of unemployed and underemployed submitting profiles to SCF for client requisitions. The Vice President of External Affairs’ functions include: Fundraising Responsibilities • Work closely with the President & CEO and Board Chair to establish and achieve fundraising goals that reflect and support an aggressive strategic growth initiative. • Establish a new Board of Directors Development Committee to achieve the three year fundraising goals associated with the three year strategic growth plan • Execute the annual corporate and community foundation fundraising plan and integrate with the organization initiatives. • Increase corporate and community foundation giving to align with three year strategic plan. • Plan and execute an annual fundraising event. • Support VP of Strategy and Programs with submissions of government grant proposals and reports. • Create, oversee and implement an annual SCF fundraising event. • Identify, research, and evaluate potential corporate, foundation and government prospects for solicitation and partnership. • Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with current and new local and national corporate and foundation donors. • Articulate and promote the organization’s vision and case for support to potential donors and partners with goal of expanding support. • Supervise the timely submission of proposals, updates and reports to corporate, foundation, and/or government funders. • Seek and expand relationships with local and national funders and peers. • Direct all day-­‐to-­‐day department activities including utilizing technology to track funders and prospects, implementing process to support function and managing report and proposal writing process. Communications/PR/Marketing Responsibilities: • Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance SCF brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences. • Increase awareness of SCF to unemployed and underemployed resulting in increased number of submitted profiles. Work closely with client services and recruiting team to develop and implement specific marketing strategies to attract job seekers to open requisitions SCF is sourcing for clients. • Manage SCF’s recruitment, advertising agency as well as public relations firm to align their work with SCF’s strategic growth plan. • Create and execute a marketing/public relations strategy that will allow SCF to implement its goals. Identify challenges and emerging issues that affect the mission of the organization. Work with the senior team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them. • Support the President & CEO and Board Chair’s strategic messaging of the organization and manage internal staff on aligned messaging. • Act as organization spokesperson with media when President & CEO is not available. • Oversee development and ensure brand identity of SCF print communications including the annual report, marketing materials and electronic communications which is managed by the senior marketing associate. Additional Management Responsibilities: • Work with President & CEO to coordinate Board relations, governance, leadership of appropriate committees, and other Board-­‐related matters. • Manage and act as primary executive staff liaison to the SCF Board of Directors Nominating Committee. • Guide and create the External Affairs staff and department to support the goals of the three year strategic growth plan. • In partnership with the Vice President of Finance & Operations, create and manage the annual external affairs budget of the organization. • Ensure that External Affairs staff properly utilize technology include salesforce.com to guide and document work. • Support HR and the SCF Fun Committee in promoting SCF as a great place to work. • Travel to client and donor meetings in Cook County, collar counties, and nationally as needed. Access to a car is required. CANDIDATE PROFILE We seek a development professional who has demonstrated experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic fundraising and communications program to advance an organization’s mission and goals. Securing large foundation and/or corporate gifts and a record that has resulted in significant, measurable increases in giving is required. Prior experience successfully engaging key stakeholders including Board members, C-­‐level partners, executive leaders, vendors, media and staff will define his or her accomplishments. Entrepreneurial experience that proves the candidate’s ability to drive results, and recognize and act on fund raising opportunities that may be innovative or non-­‐traditional would be highly valued. A broad understanding of all institutional fundraising strategies, tactics and programs, as well as the proven ability to overcome the barriers to implementing such, is expected. Candidates who can demonstrate their ability to actively seek out new prospect or donor relationships, who appreciate the cultivation and stewardship process and who can successfully close gift opportunities are sought. Qualified candidates will either have pre-­‐existing relationships or will demonstrate the ability to quickly develop exceptional relationships with institutional funders. It is beneficial if candidates have experience planning and managing a large event, ideally for the purpose of fundraising. The qualified candidate will be creative and thoughtful on how new media technologies can be utilized to target audiences, increase response and drive behavior that aligns with the organization’s goals and strategies. S/he will have significant successful experience in writing and editing (externally focused) with a variety of print and online communications media. The person should present a proven track record in building a developmental climate within the staff group. Candidates with ability to assess and hire talent, set the vision, get buy-­‐in on goals, and create strong teams based on high individual accountability are sought. The qualified candidate will be an excellent manager who is able to delegate effectively. The individual must have the ability to lead not only direct reports but also Board members that may be involved in philanthropic activities. The candidate should be able to relate well to people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds and demonstrate a willingness to participate in the life of the institution at all levels. Skilled in goal setting and assessment, the qualified candidate will have exceptional written, oral, presentation and “people skills” with the ability to communicate in a dynamic, engaging way. Excellent organizational and management skills to manage multiple competing priorities and solid interpersonal skills are highly desired. A creative and energetic individual who functions well within a team environment, which includes cross-­‐department coordination, is sought. The ideal candidate is a poised individual who is supportive, diplomatic, personable, and comfortable rolling up his or her sleeves. An innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output is needed. The qualified candidate will have the ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker. A spirit of inquisitiveness and a strong work ethic are essential. S/he will be a proactive, agile and flexible leader with a desire to grow, innovate, and modify direction based on business and organization needs. The successful candidate will exhibit a contagious passion for SCF, its mission, clients and staff. Bachelor's degree (B. A.) required; advanced degree preferred. 12 -­‐15 years+ experience with fundraising and communications responsibilities and a demonstrated role as a senior strategic leader and advisor is required. Evidence of continuing professional desired. Active participation in local business and social clubs, civic organizations and community activities is strongly preferred. To apply for this position please e-­‐mail your resume and cover letter that focuses on your previous relevant experience and skills to at [email protected]. For more information, please see our website at www.noeticexsearch.com. For more information, please visit the Chicagoland's Future website at www.skillsforchicagolandsfuture.com. Skills for Chicagoland’s Future is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability (mental and/or physical), age, and prior EEO activity.