Careers

We are looking for talented and passionate people to join our team. Learn more about our open positions.

Vice President of Communications and Outreach

The Vice President of Communications and Outreach leads the Foundation’s communications team, serving as a strategic partner for organization-wide work and as project director for communications and outreach efforts. The Vice President of Communications and Outreach helps advance the mission of the Foundation by leading efforts to market Foundation-related opportunities, services, events and asset development campaigns; highlight the work of the Foundation and its donor and grantee partners; amplify the Foundation’s thought leadership on key issues and policy matters; oversee media- and outreach-related grantmaking, and help promote a culture of engaged philanthropy in the Greater Denver community.

Personal Characteristics

The ideal candidate will possess an extensive background in strategic communications; excellent writing, organizational and interpersonal skills, and a passion for community engagement. A strategic and creative thinker who is both a manager and a doer – this position will play a leadership role in promoting the Foundation’s work and driving awareness and engagement with existing and prospective stakeholders and partners.

Across our team, we value humor, humility and self-awareness, empathy and strong personal and professional integrity and ethics. Rose Community Foundation strives to continually evolve and has an organizational orientation towards growth and learning, so we look for team members who demonstrate flexibility and a growth mindset. This role will contribute to a positive work environment and organizational culture, finding personal and professional alignment with the Foundation’s mission and values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, empathy, generosity, community and transformation through collaboration.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy and Operations

Establish short- and long-range strategic communications and outreach objectives aligned with the Foundation’s strategic plan (and forthcoming strategic refresh), developing and operationalizing communications and outreach plans and, if necessary, policies and procedures.
Provide strategic insights and thought partnership across the organization from a public relations and marketing perspective, participating as needed in planning, implementation and evaluation activities, and guiding cross-departmental collaboration as it relates to communications.
Manage communications staff (currently one communications coordinator), providing oversight, mentorship and access to professional development opportunities.
Build and manage annual communications and events budget; oversee department-related contracts.
Hire and supervise external creative and technical vendors and contractors when needed, potentially including photography, videography, graphic design, web site design, media buying, consulting, event planning, etc.
Engage with relevant philanthropy communications peer groups, both locally and nationally, ensuring the Foundation remains on top of best practices, emerging trends and technologies.
Assess the effectiveness of communications strategies, tools and resource allocations, recommending and implementing changes as needed.
Serve on the cross-departmental leadership team, helping set overarching strategy for the organization and playing a key role in helping to maintain and strengthen the organization’s internal culture and external impact.

Public Relations and Marketing

Direct and perform proactive and reactive media and public relations activities including media pitches, press release creation and dissemination, responses to media inquiries, and cultivation of key media relationships locally and nationally.
Serve as Foundation spokesperson when needed, while also identifying opportunities for relevant Foundation staff; represent the Foundation’s brand, reputation and work in the community and prepare colleagues to do the same as well.
Collaborate with the President and CEO, Community Impact, Philanthropic Services and Finance teams to identify storytelling and multi-media content-creation opportunities and build and oversee communications strategies, marketing materials and outreach initiatives that are consistent with Foundation messaging standards and engage internal and external stakeholders, including staff, trustees, committee members, funders and partners, donors and prospects, grantees, community leaders and relevant affinity groups.
Develop and manage the articulation, implementation and evolution of the Foundation’s overall content strategy, producing written and visual content for all Foundation communications platforms, including the annual report, blog posts, news releases, op-eds, brochures, invitations, reports, social media, videos, website copy, scripted remarks, and talking points.
Project-manage major initiatives of the Communications department, including the annual event(s), annual fundraising appeal, and other special projects.
Partner with the Philanthropic Services team to develop and implement marketing and communications strategies to promote donor-advised funds, endowments, giving circles, and fundraising opportunities.
Evaluate and pursue advertising and sponsorship opportunities and oversee the creation of accompanying collateral.
Oversee the Foundation website, both the public-facing design and the back-end functionality, including ongoing SEO optimization and best practices in web design, functionality and user experience.
Oversee usage of the Foundation brand, updating (when necessary), maintaining and distributing the Foundation style and branding guide, including specifications on presentations, images, logos, etc.

Grantmaking

Serve as our liaison to Colorado Media Project (CMP), which the Foundation fiscally sponsors; administer any Rose Community Foundation grants to CMP and represent the Foundation on the CMP Executive Committee – a coalition of funders and stakeholders focused on supporting and strengthening Colorado’s local journalism ecosystem.
Manage Foundation grantmaking related to sponsorships, memberships/dues and strategic media/community partnerships.

Supervisory Responsibilities and Relationship

The Vice President of Communications and Outreach leads the communications team and reports to the President & CEO. One full-time communications and outreach staffer currently reports directly to the Vice President. Additionally, supervision of contractors, interns, and/or volunteers may be required as needed. This position does not have administrative support.

Qualifications, Experiences and Skills

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional and life experience in communications, marketing, journalism or related field, in addition to 15 or more years of relevant work experience including at least eight (8) years of people- and/or project-management experience.
Ability to effectively lead teams and projects and collaborate with peers and staff to execute on departmental and organizational goals.
Proven experience developing and executing communications and marketing strategies that increase engagement and awareness and inspire action and philanthropy, with an understanding of how to measure and evaluate communications outcomes and impacts.
Exceptional writing and editing abilities, capable of producing informational and persuasive content – often distilling complex information – across a variety of digital and print platforms for a range of diverse and multigenerational audiences.
Established working relationships with members of the media and experience working with the media, along with achieving earned-media results.
Extensive experience with social media platforms and website content management systems including proven success engaging and growing digital audiences.
Experience with relational databases, CRM software and email marketing systems.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal and project management skills with the ability to both prioritize and manage multiple projects. Works well both collaboratively and independently, delivering quality work on time and within budgetary guidelines.
Experience with event planning and/or management.
Experience with grantmaking and sponsorships preferred but not required.
Fluency in Spanish (both written and oral) beneficial but not required.
Personal understanding and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion combined with knowledge of the communications context and best practices around equity, diversity, engagement and inclusivity in the Denver region.

Salary and Benefits

This full-time, exempt position’s hiring range is $130K – $155K. Offered salary will be commensurate with internal parity and salary ranges, local and national sector benchmarks, and candidate’s relevant qualifications, experience and skills. Rose Community Foundation offers a competitive benefits package including employer-supported health, dental, vision and life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage, a 403(b)-retirement plan (including an annual employer contribution after one year of employment), flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program (EAP), generous paid time off including holidays, professional development opportunities and a matching gift program. 

Workplace

Fully renovated office with great views and a collaborative environment located in a building with a café, gym, secure indoor bike parking, covered employee parking, and convenient access to parks and trails. We operate on a structured hybrid model where staff work in the office/community at least three days per week (including Mondays and Wednesdays) and have the option to work remotely up to two days per week. Please note that the Foundation expects all team members to be fully vaccinated (including boosters, if eligible) against COVID-19. 

How to Apply

Please submit your application, including a resume and cover letter, using the link below. Please upload your cover letter under “Other Documents.” No phone calls or additional email messages please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the posting will remain open until the position is filled. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Rose Community Foundation believes in the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunities and prohibits the unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.