Vice President, Communications and External Affairs

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) is the nation’s preeminent think tank committed to achieving economic equity for women and eliminating structural and institutional barriers to women’s full participation in the workforce and society. 

IWPR’s mission is to build knowledge and evidence to support policies that help grow women’s economic power and influence in society, close inequality gaps, and improve the economic security and well-being of girls, women, and families. We generate the ideas that build power and economic equity for all women. 

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

The Vice President, Communications and External Affairs is a member of the Senior Leadership Team at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and reports directly to the Chief of Staff. The Vice President, Communications and External Affairs will develop, lead, and execute on strategic initiatives to advance IWPR’s thought leadership and position the organization as a leading voice on the economy, health care, and the economic security and well-being of women and families. They will have primary responsibility for ensuring widespread, strategic dissemination of all IWPR research, products, and resources, ensuring that IWPR’s data and evidence are widely available, informing public discourse, and reaching key audiences and stakeholders. They will also manage our narrative change and culture work, set and guide the strategy for all communications, website, and public relations messages and collateral to consistently articulate the mission, vision, and values of IWPR to external audiences and stakeholders. 

Additionally, the Vice President of Communications and External Affairs will build and manage relationships with the media and other key entities, work to maintain brand and messaging consistency, and the advancement of brand awareness and visibility efforts with relevant constituents. They will also drive broader awareness on issues related to women’s economic security and wellbeing, and donor support for the organization. 

The Vice President of Communications and External Affairs will lead a talented team of communications and media professionals, and will be responsible for cultivating their leadership and skills. They will be responsible for supporting the growth and development of the team, mentoring staff as needed and creating avenues for team members to continue to grow.  

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership 

• Develop a strategic plan and vision for communications and external affairs at IWPR; 

• Formulate short and long-term communications and external affairs goals for IWPR in support of 

• the organization’s mission and institutional strategic plan. 

• Set communications goals and develop metrics to grow influence and impact. 

• Lead the communications team, and oversee the preparation and implementation by direct reports of work plans, timelines and actions to meet communications and external impact goals. 

• Maintain and update IWPR’s crisis communications plan, ensuring the organization has the tools and resources to respond to any challenge that may arise. 

• Continue to cultivate IWPR’s growing rapid response work, identifying and pursuing opportunities to tie IWPR research to public conversations and current events.  

• Build IWPR’s ability to collect and share stories as part of our research, weaving human experiences together with data in research publications.  

• As part of the Senior Leadership Team, help develop organizational priorities and direction and provide strategic guidance on external impact and influence; and 

• Represent IWPR at high-level meetings and events. 

Communications Operations 

• Oversee all print and online communications such as event programs, promotional materials, and annual reports; 

• Develop and oversee the organization’s social media strategy and activity including Facebook, 

• Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and other online platforms; 

• Pitch timely stories, Opinion editorials, and IWPR research to media outlets; 

• Maintain brand and messaging consistency, and advancement of brand awareness and visibility efforts in the field and across platforms and various mediums; 

• Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities, and prepare talking points, press releases, speeches, advisories, presentations, and other supporting material as needed; 

• Attract, engage, and maintain relationships with the media and other key stakeholders; 

• Manage strategies that draw attention to IWPR’s work including: crafting messages, identifying 

target audiences, and preparing material for internal and external distribution; 

• Manage copy/content for materials including: email blasts, e-news articles, web content, invitation letters, and event recaps; 

• Train IWPR researchers and staff on best practices in communications and messaging; 

• Supervise communications staff and consultants, and serve as a key member of IWPR’s senior 

management team; and 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

External Affairs 

• Grow IWPR’s profile and expand individual engagement with the organization by sharply 

defining IWPR’s national brand, broadening its visibility, and attracting significant support and resources to advance its strategic goals. 

• Work in close collaboration with the Vice President of Advancement to support institutional marketing and fundraising, with a particular focus on crafting and delivering clear, compelling messages that communicate IWPR’s vision to funders and supporters. 

• Provide oversight for collateral production, digital campaigns, and media relations. 

• Serve as an IWPR spokesperson as needed. 

• Work to ensure effective coordination across departments in order to execute on engagement initiatives and campaigns; 

• Ability to raise awareness of the organization and its mission through outreach efforts and regular event and donor engagement strategies; and 

• Oversee the annual report and other donor materials production. 

• And other duties as assigned. 

Financial Management and Supervisory Duties  

• Manage the Communications department’s annual expense budget and partner with the finance team to develop and update revenue projections. 

• Participate, as required, in the annual financial audit.  

• Manage, mentor, and provide strategic direction to Communications department staff.  

• Maintain an environment that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse team of top-quality staff.  

• Establish and maintain appropriate Communications policies and procedures, as well as to ensure thorough and accurate record keeping.  

SALARY 
This role is in a hybrid environment and is a full-time exempt position. The salary for the Vice President, Communications and External Affairs is $150,000-$184,025. The salary will be commensurate with experience. IWPR provides competitive salaries and a generous benefits package. 
 
HOW TO APPLY 
Please submit a resume and thoughtful, relevant cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. IWPR is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. 
 
Vaccine Policy: IWPR has made the safety of our staff and our surrounding community a top priority. As part of that commitment, IWPR recently implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. This policy states that all IWPR employees, interns, fellows, (i.e., IWPR staff) are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to receive required booster shots as recommended by the CDC. IWPR will require selected candidates to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 and having received a booster shot prior to extending a job offer. If a candidate has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a Covid-19 vaccination, a medical exemption form should be requested from People & Culture.