United Network for Organ Sharing Hiring for Director, Communications, Community Affairs & Philanthropy at Richmond, VA  Full Time

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the mission-driven non-profit serving as the nation’s donation and transplant system under contract with the federal government. We lead the network of transplant hospitals, organ procurement organizations, and thousands of volunteers who are dedicated to honoring the gifts of life entrusted to us and to making lifesaving transplants possible for patients in need. Working together, we leverage data and advances in science and technology to continuously strengthen the system, increase the number of organs recovered and the number of transplants performed, and ensure patients across the nation have equitable access to transplant.

Position Description

The Director is responsible for developing communications and outreach strategies designed to engage and build relationships with, and influence, key stakeholders in order to raise funds and advance the lifesaving mission of United Network for Organ Sharing. This position will:

• Promote trust in the donation and transplant system by communicating that as the OPTN, UNOS is effective at running the system and is continuously improving to save lives.
• Develop a UNOS value proposition for external stakeholders and integrate with other communications strategies to maintain favorable public and stakeholder views of the organization’s agenda and accomplishments within and outside of the OPTN contract that UNOS is engaging in to reach key stakeholders including employees, the public, patients, transplant professionals, policy influencers businesses, corporate partners, funders, sponsors, media, etc.
• Develop successful strategies and campaigns that attract new customers, funders, volunteers, sponsors, industry partners, and retain current ones.
• Analyzes UNOS’ objectives and needs to build public relations strategies that influence public opinion and promote products, research, technology, innovation, ideas, and services.
• Promote and protect UNOS’ brand and reputation.
• Enhance UNOS’ community relations activities to increase mission impact.
• Grow fundraising revenue from multiple channels including grants/foundations, sponsorships, major gifts, and individual giving to support key UNOS initiatives.

The Director oversees staff engaged in corporate communications, media relations, social media, community outreach, philanthropy, major gift relations, funder acquisition and retention, corporate giving and sponsorship, grant writing, annual fund management, multimedia design and production, UX/UI, and web development.

The incumbent will work closely with leaders at all levels in the organization, including directors of other departments and the senior leadership team, to develop a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy designed to advance UNOS’ strategic priorities. The Director will be expected to provide thought leadership and influence leaders at a Board of Directors, senior leadership team, and management level in the organization. The Director also will be expected to have the business acumen to contribute as a leader beyond the areas of their technical expertise. The incumbent will be called upon from time to time to represent UNOS in various settings where public speaking is required.

Key Responsibilities:

Management and Leadership

• Provide proactive and results-oriented leadership to a multidisciplinary communications and fundraising team that is metrics driven and continuously achieving higher levels of quality and productivity and raised dollars
• Ensure continued alignment between Communications’ and corporate strategic goals, ensuring clear prioritization to enhance department’s focus and effectiveness.
• Drive the continuous improvement of the department, using metrics to evaluate department output, testing new and emerging technologies and communications and fundraising tactics, and promoting the development of staff.
• Provide expert strategic communications and fundraising guidance to senior leadership team, Board of Directors, and Committee leaders.
• Oversee department resources, developing budget and staffing models to ensure department’s ability to effectively deliver on goals while demonstrating fiscal discipline.

External Communications and Outreach

• Oversee the development of integrated communications strategies designed to educate all audiences about UNOS, the donation and transplant system, and the ways the system is improving to save as many lives as possible.
• Oversee the development and integration of fundraising messaging throughout overall communication strategy to advance and promote UNOS’ non-OPTN priorities as they grow, including developing an overall marketing and communications plan, and measuring the return on investment with the help of key internal stakeholders to achieve philanthropic goals.
• Oversee the development of information, tools, and resources to support donation and transplant professionals’ lifesaving work and the patients we serve.

* Proactively manage UNOS’ relations with the media to positively influence the content of news stories relevant to UNOS.

* Oversee UNOS’ brand, including design and the visual impact of both digital and print communications, and online user experience, leveraging best practices in human centered design.

* Oversee creation of high quality content for UNOS.

* Develop effective strategies for engaging with community partners to provide employees opportunities to give back to our community, and to expand UNOS’ impact.

* Oversee UNOS’ Ambassador program-made up of people touched by donation and transplant who want to give back to UNOS and our community-to deepen the contribution they make and value they bring and receive.

Internal Communications

* Develop communications strategies and initiatives to promote employee engagement, esprit de corps, and pride in UNOS’ purpose. This includes tactics to:

o Keep employees informed about strategic priorities, progress to date, and how to contribute.

o Promote UNOS’ internal value proposition through information about UNOS’ comprehensive benefits and development offerings.

o Increase leadership visibility.

* Work closely with other department leaders and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that their areas’ own communications complement the role of the central Communications team and do not duplicate or conflict with it.

* Provide expert communications services to internal clients (e.g. UNOS Meeting Partners, Professional Education, HR).

Minimum Requirements

• Must have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience developing, managing, and implementing communications programs aligned to the organization’s mission and objectives, including the effective leadership of people.
• 8 years of people management experience with a minimum of 5 years managing managers.

Critical Skills

• A strong balance of subject expertise in their areas of technical responsibilities, with business acumen to contribute outside of their domain of responsibility. Knowledge of healthcare field preferred.
• Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of emerging roles of technology in corporate communications, PR, and marketing, particularly in the non-profit sector.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of current and emerging best practices in Communications.
• Exceptional written, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to establish credibility and be influential with key stakeholders at both a strategic and operational level.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex environment building successful working relationships across the organization, demonstrating excellent influencing and persuading skills.
• Advanced level of understanding of the media.
• Advanced level of managerial and leadership abilities.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong affiliation for creativity, humor, and fun in the workplace.

Education
4-year degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or related field of study, or equivalent combined education and work experience required. Advanced degree strongly desired.

Physical Requirements

General office demands

About Us

UNOS Benefits

Authorization

Agency Statement

UNOS provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. It will not unlawfully discriminate or permit harassment against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, familial or marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristics or classification protected under applicable law (“protected categories”). This policy applies not only to hiring, but also to working conditions, benefits and privileges of employment, training, appointments for advancement, transfers, layoffs, recalls, terminations of employment and all other terms and conditions of employment.

UNOS is also an affirmative action employer. It takes affirmative action to recruit and provide opportunities for advancement to qualified females and minorities, individuals with disabilities, special disabled veterans and other protected veterans. It hires and promotes based on job-related requirements and individual qualifications. Action is taken to ensure the fulfillment of this policy as to all phases of the employment process including hiring, placement, training, upgrading, transfers and/or demotions, recruiting, layoffs and termination of employment.

UNOS invites individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to identify themselves, if they wish to do so. Such communication will be kept as confidential as possible and will be used only in accordance with the law. Candidates may contact the EEO/AA Officer at to self-identify or request an accommodation.

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