Nonprofit Talent Hiring for Vice President of External Affairs, Goodwill of SWPA at Pittsburgh, PA Full Time

The Organization

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania (Goodwill SWPA) provides various employment-related education and workforce development services. This includes services strategically designed for job seekers with developmental or intellectual disabilities, displaced workers, those receiving public benefits, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, those with limited work experience or education, veterans, youth, and older workers, and individuals who have been justice-involved.

Starting in Pittsburgh in 1919, the first local Goodwill SWPA clients gained work experience, self-reliance, and independence by repairing old furniture and clothing for resale at nominal prices in the agency’s thrift stores. Today, with over 1,200 employees, annual revenues of more than $60 million, and a service area that spans eight southwestern Pennsylvania counties and nine counties in north central West Virginia, Goodwill SWPA ranks as one of the largest Goodwill organizations in the United States.

Eight key values are the foundation of Goodwill SWPA as a human services agency:

Belonging

Excellence

Potential

Caring

Honesty

Connection

Responsibility

Community

With tremendous growth opportunity in both mission delivery and financial outcomes, Goodwill SWPA is positioned to expand its role as a recognized leader in workforce development and services for people with special needs and barriers to employment. The agency is ever committed to creating an inclusive and diverse organizational culture, achieved through expanding workforce development programs within the service area both locally and rurally. This deliberate and active initiative creates a culture of innovation and nurtures the exchange between diverse perspectives. With direction from the Board, Leadership, and Staff, as well as input from key stakeholders, Goodwill SWPA is committed to long-term excellence and continued mission-fulfillment.

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The Opportunity

A well recruited/retained and talented staff ensures the operational stability of Goodwill. The CEO and Board of Directors look forward to a future of growth and innovation in fundraising, communications, and development with the creation of a new Vice President of External Relations.

Goodwill SWPA seeks a Vice President of External Relations (VP), a new member of the Executive Leadership Team, to spearhead marketing and fundraising efforts of Goodwill SWPA. The VP will work in partnership with the CEO and a committed Board of Directors to uplift the mission and advance the donor and community experience. The VP reports directly to the President & CEO and is responsible for leading the effort for raising philanthropic dollars through major giving, annual giving, legacy gifts, grants, and special events. A talented public relations professional, the VP will be expected to implement effective communication strategies to increase awareness among public about the organization and to educate the public and potential clients about Goodwill SWPA’s services. With a strong emphasis on advocacy, the VP will work cooperatively and collaboratively across the Goodwill Industries organization to ensure that priorities of the local Goodwill are aligned with the national organization.

The VP will use their expertise to usher in a new era of development success while maintaining high visibility in the community. The successful candidate must be a team player who is able to thrive in a continually evolving environment.

The VP will be primarily responsible for the following:

Fundraising

• Supervising a Director of Development.
• Managing community relations plan for purposes of fundraising and awareness building.
• Managing annual fund including direct mail campaigns to segmented donor lists (fall appeal, holiday mailing); analyze donor response.
• Maintaining awareness of current fundraising trends, landscape changes, and emerging best practices.
• Supervising maintenance of donor database; reviewing quality of data entered on a regular basis.
• Initiating and maintaining relationships with donors. Support board and staff work on relationship building.
• Developing and implementing donor and philanthropic strategies to secure funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Further develop and strengthen the major gift program. Direct the CEO’s participation in this effort.
• Leading grant-writing efforts including: developing case for support, research, and preparation for submitting grant requests, maintaining relationships with foundation officers, grant writing as needed, and the staff processes supporting those efforts (needs assessment, planning processes, etc.).
• Managing all aspects of special events, including annual golf outing and other events if seen necessary for fundraising purposes, in conjunction with Board and special committees.
• Participating and assisting in leading Board committee for fundraising and communications; encouraging and supporting Board fundraising participation.

Communications

• Supervising a Marketing Manager.
• Overseeing the development of impactful messaging and marketing campaigns to build awareness and support for Goodwill SWPA’s programs and services, donated goods retail, business entities, and sustainability programs. Utilizing social media as a means of reaching the community and potential donors.
• Maintaining and improving promotional assets of Goodwill, including all marketing materials, website, and social media.
• Managing media relations plan: developing/maintaining media list, initiating/maintaining contacts with media representatives, developing media kit and revising as needed; writing, pitching, and distributing news releases; conducting special events’ publicity; tracking results of media relations efforts.
• Serving as a key public voice of Goodwill.
• Placing Goodwill’s image and stories in large distribution media as often as possible.
• Raising Goodwill’s profile within our service area, region, and the nation.
• Demonstrating a deep understanding of working with underserved populations to create messaging, content, and experience incorporating inclusive language.

Advocacy

• Building and nurturing relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and policymakers to advance Goodwill SWPA’s local, state, and federal advocacy priorities.
• Ensuring that the agency’s advocacy and external affairs activities are aligned with Goodwill SWPA’s strategic plan, mission, and values and communicate regularly with the CEO, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders.
• Working with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Senior Leadership to establish and maintain partnerships with key community stakeholders aligned with Goodwill SWPA’s mission and advocacy efforts.
• Leading the development and implementation of strategic partnerships with businesses, corporations, and other organizations to advance the agency’s mission.

The Candidate

The VP of External Affairs will support Goodwill SWPA’s mission with a deep understanding of the role Goodwill plays in the lives of clients, families, and the community. The successful candidate will be comfortable with and understand the importance of face-to-face relationship-building and asking for money. The VP joins a senior team dedicated to ensuring the organization meets strategic goals, contributes positively to workplace culture, and demonstrates professional acumen that is humble and authentic.

Demonstrable experience, competencies, and qualifications include:

• Passion for and commitment to Goodwill SWPA’s mission and vision as well as the communities served.
• Educational background that supports the required skills and competencies.
• Relevant experience in an organization with multiple service lines and successful fundraising, marketing communications, and public relations.
• Increased professional responsibility gained through tenured experience with nonprofit organizations.
• Quantitative evidence of increased dollars raised while in a position.
• Successful record of accomplishment with creating and maintaining relationships with funders and community institutions.
• Experience raising and enhancing the public profile of an organization.
• Personal communication skills necessary for effective face-to-face cultivation of donors and written communication skills necessary to create compelling fundraising materials.
• Experience with fundraising databases.
• Must have proven team leadership, the ability to supervise others and produce results, and work effectively in a team setting.
• Strong cultural competency with deep experience working with diverse populations.

Compensation & Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $135,000 – $150,000 and a progressive benefits package.

DEIB Imperative

Goodwill SWPA seeks to recruit candidates for employment that represent our diverse community in race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and ability. Inclusive and equitable in our recruitment and retention practices, we are dedicated to uplifting diverse opinions and backgrounds in order to grow and evolve as a welcoming workplace for all.

How to Apply

Goodwill of Southwestern PA has retained Nonprofit Talent to assist with this important organizational change process. Specific questions related to the position may be emailed to Michelle Pagano Heck, President, at . Please direct all inquiries related to this position to Nonprofit Talent, and do not contact Goodwill of Southwestern PA.

Resume, position-specific cover letter, and salary expectations may be uplaoded via this portal.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 5PM ON DECEMBER 4, 2023

About Nonprofit Talent

Nonprofit Talent is a boutique executive search firm with a deep understanding of the nuanced cultural and financial landscape of the nonprofit and philanthropic community. We know the organizations and the people that commit to the sector. Our candidates, through regional and targeted national recruitment, frequently come from the same communities as our clients. We firmly believe in uplifting the extraordinary talent of our region in addition to seeking out new and vibrant talent through national networks.

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