Vice President of External Relations

Lifelong is a community health organization on a mission to make health and food accessible. We remove barriers to health with relentless compassion so that no one faces illness and injustice alone.

We lead with heart. Our respect for people drives our mission. For 40 years, Lifelong has fought health inequities so that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Our comprehensive services include food and nutrition, healthcare navigation, aging and disability support, and connection to housing and other vital resources.
 

Position Overview:
Reporting to the CEO, The Vice President of External Relations is a key member of the Lifelong Executive Leadership Team and is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of bold fundraising, special events, marketing, communications, and advocacy strategies, developed in accordance with Lifelong’s mission to make health and food accessible.

This strategic and creative leader holds responsibility for communicating, raising awareness, and fundraising around our mission to make health and food accessible and leads an integrated team charged with driving revenue and increasing brand awareness and donor cultivation.

This regular, full-time, exempt, non-union role has a salary range of $110k/yr - $190k/yr and is based in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle, with onsite presence required at least three days per week (Tuesday – Thursday).

Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic vision and execution of Lifelong’s brand and all fundraising and marketing programs, modeling our values and ensuring goals, priorities, and performance standards are met, including monthly and annual revenue goals across categories  
• Serve as a senior advisor and thought partner to the CEO and as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, growth, and mission-alignment
• Develop, manage, and grow an integrated team, providing mentorship and ensuring agency objectives are met on time and within budget  
• Accelerate growth and raise visibility by boldly re-imagining Lifelong’s brand across fundraising, special events, marketing, media, advertising, social media, content creation, and advocacy, positioning Lifelong at the forefront of a health accessibility movement
• Oversee fundraising development and special events staff and strategies that connect with our supporters and donors across individual giving, major gifts, corporate giving/sponsorship, and special events, ensuring agency revenue targets are met or exceeded
• Partner closely with creative teams and agency partners to bring strategy to life through quality creative

• Evening and weekend work required; travel as needed

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, or fundraising – or combination of related education and work experience
• Consumer product, creative, and brand expertise is preferred
• Strong understanding of philanthropic trends and best practices in fundraising
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience managing a cross-functional team
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, board members, and other stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Passion for Lifelong's mission and a commitment to ethical fundraising practices.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Generous vacation (3 weeks your first year), sick leave, and 2 personal days a year
• 401(k) match
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance options
• Long term disability
• Mass transit subsidy
• 15 paid holidays per year

Work Environment:

• This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers. The role requires regular interaction with colleagues, leadership, and external stakeholders. The position may involve occasional evening or weekend work to support organizational activities or events, as well as limited travel as needed.
• Any offer of employment is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Some programs may require additional background checks or frequency.

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About Lifelong:

Lifelong is a community health organization committed to removing barriers to health with relentless compassion so that no one faces illness and injustice alone.

We lead with heart. Our respect for people drives our mission. For 40 years, Lifelong has fought health inequities so that everyone can have the opportunity to thrive. Our comprehensive services include food and nutrition, healthcare navigation, aging and disability support, and connection to housing and other vital resources.

We are looking for passionate, dedicated people to join our talented team and make real, meaningful changes in the daily lives of those living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses in their community. Lifelong offers exceptional benefits, including paid time off, medical and dental coverage in addition to a balanced work-life integration.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Lifelong, we are dedicated to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

EEO Statement:

Lifelong is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and experience that recognizes diversity and cultural competence as integral components of what we do.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and as such, we do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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DISCLAIMER: INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are an integral part of a compensation system, effective performance review system, related promotion, transfer, layoff, etc. decisions.

All descriptions have been reviewed to illustrate the job functions and basic duties, in addition to peripheral tasks or that could generally be considered as other duties as assigned.

In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities and requirements be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. Requirements, skills and abilities included have been determined to illustrate the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions.