Senior VP of Communications – External Impact

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Define and manage CCAoA's national narrative, ensuring clarity, consistency, and impact across all audiences and platforms.

• Position CCAoA and its network as key players in addressing the nation’s child care challenges—grounded in tangible community impact.

• Lead message architecture that integrates families, workforce, economy, and system-building into a cohesive and compelling story.

• Design and implement a comprehensive influence strategy encompassing media, thought leadership, partnerships, and executive visibility.

• Elevate CCAoA's presence with federal and state policymakers, business leaders, funders, and national media.

• Collaborate closely with the CEO to shape voice, visibility, and impactful external engagement.

• Work with program, policy, and research leadership from the beginning to create initiatives that are effective, compelling, and actionable for external audiences.

• Ensure the communications strategy informs program design, rollout, and scaling—promoting adoption, stakeholder alignment, and real-world engagement.

• Convert external audience insights (families, providers, policymakers, funders) into actionable feedback that enhances programmatic strategy and execution.

• Embed communications into critical operational moments (launches, pilots, policy windows, funding cycles) to maximize impact and traction.

• Translate research, policy, and field insights into clear, persuasive public-facing content that fosters understanding and drives action.

• Collaborate with senior leaders to amplify emerging ideas, solutions, and national frameworks.

• Define and frame solutions internally to ensure they gain traction externally and promote behavior change.

• Oversee brand strategy and reputation management, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and growth objectives.

• Lead proactive and reactive communications, including crisis communications and rapid-response positioning.

• Ensure all communications reinforce CCAoA's credibility as a trusted, data-driven, solutions-oriented leader.

• Enhance communications across the national on-the-ground network—aligning national messaging while highlighting local impact.

• Ensure the network is represented in and amplified through national communications.

• Develop shared tools, frameworks, and messaging that boost consistency and collective impact.

• Shape the organization's national convenings and public platforms as strategic vehicles for influence and positioning.

• Ensure events, reports, and campaigns are designed not just for participation—but for impact and visibility.

• Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team on reputation, messaging, and external dynamics—bringing sound judgment, candor, and a steady hand in both opportunities and risks.

• Build trust and alignment across the executive team by engaging early, communicating openly, and navigating complexity with clarity and respect for diverse perspectives.

• Co-develop policy, programmatic, and revenue strategies to ensure they are resonant externally, scalable, and positioned for uptake—integrating communications as a core driver of design, execution, and impact.

• Collaborate with Development to support fund development, brand positioning, and donor engagement.

• Lead across boundaries—effectively influencing up, down, and across the organization to ensure shared ownership of strategy and consistent execution.

• Build and lead a high-performing communications function grounded in trust, accountability, and a shared purpose.

• Develop and support leaders and team members—creating clarity of roles, investing in growth, and ensuring individuals and teams are set up for success.

• Foster a culture that values transparency, open communication, and mutual respect—where challenges are raised early and addressed constructively.

• Set clear priorities, performance expectations, and success metrics aligned with organizational impact.

• Establish systems and workflows that integrate communications into program planning, implementation, and evaluation cycles, not merely dissemination.

• Apply strong operational discipline to the function, ensuring work is well-coordinated, resources are aligned with priorities, and commitments are met with consistency and quality.

⛳️ Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in public policy, communications, political science, or a related field is preferred.

• Over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in communications, public affairs, or related fields, including significant executive-level responsibility.

• Proven success in shaping national narratives, influencing public discourse, and enhancing organizational visibility.

• Experience at the intersection of policy, research, advocacy, and public engagement.

• Established ability to partner with executive leadership and function as a trusted strategic advisor.

• A track record of building and leading high-performing teams and managing complex, cross-functional initiatives.

• Proven ability to lead with emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and integrity—particularly in complex, high-visibility environments.

• Experience in building trust and credibility with senior leadership, teams, and external stakeholders.

• Proven ability to navigate and lead through organizational change, balancing strategic ambition with operational realities.

• A history of developing talent and creating cohesive, accountable teams.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: We offer top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you and your family healthy and thriving.

• Flexible Spending Account options for Health and Dependent Care, too!

• Generous Paid Time Off: Enjoy ample vacation days, sick days, paid holidays, school events leave, and personal leave to recharge and pursue your passions.

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Whether the position is remote or hybrid, we accommodate your needs to help you achieve a harmonious work-life balance.

• Retirement Plans: Plan for your future with our competitive 403b match program and retirement planning resources.

• Child Care Stipend: A monthly subsidy to help cover the cost of child care, including camps and before/after school care.

• Community: Our staff regularly organizes engaging events to ensure that teams feel connected despite a virtual environment.