Company Overview:
The CAFE Group (TCG) is a unique organization within the philanthropic and social innovation spaces and whose origins sprang forth from The CAFE, one of very few Black-founded and Black-led education foundations in our nation. TCG believes increasing equity in the educational philanthropic ecosystem can generate seismic societal returns. Our theory of change rests on addressing the lack of diversity within this ecosystem alongside the racial disparities in funding and resources.
Together with our Partners, The CAFE Group provides financial and programmatic support to Leaders of Color whose proximity to the challenges allows them to create meaningful and relevant solutions. By leveraging our lived experiences and the genius within our communities, we have created a glidepath from College Intern to Established Leader designed to catalyze lasting systemic change.
It is our unwavering faith in people that is at the heart of what we do and how we do it.
Position Overview:
The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) role is an entrepreneurial position for a charismatic leader to leverage their background as an innovator in marketing and communications to take us to the next level. We’re looking for someone who has an infectious enthusiasm for increasing equity in the educational philanthropic ecosystem, developing Leaders of Color across the education landscape, providing opportunities for students to foster a sense of agency and ability in designing their plan for impact in a global world, and sharing knowledge and information with the broader community.
The executive selected for our newly created role will lead all elements of externally facing strategy, driving organizational impact recognition and stakeholder engagement within TCG. The CCO reports directly to the CEO, serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and will manage both internal and external resources to achieve our strategic goals in Marketing, Communications, and Strategic Events. The CCO will develop a comprehensive strategic positioning plan and then lead initiatives that build and execute the organization’s brand, strengthen our marketing and communications, help foster strategic partnerships, expand key relationships with key influencers and stakeholders, and plan and execute strategic events to drive our desired outcomes.
The CCO will create a best-in-class brand management program that will be the base of all media relations, public communications, and messaging to all constituencies and ensure both the broad-based public and targeted audience receive timely communication about TCG’Ss impact, successes, and need for support.
The position is based in Chicago but there is the option to work remotely from another state with intermittent travel to Chicago.
Responsibilities:
Senior Leadership of the Organization
• All TCG SLT members are expected to work as part of a cohesive team, deputize for the CEO as required and, when necessary, to take lead responsibility for issues outside their immediate sphere of responsibility to achieve the goals of TCG.
• Provide professional and people leadership for the organization and help to establish a vibrant culture and build confidence in the future direction of TCG.
• Develop a deep understanding of TCG’s needs across the organization, becoming a respected advocate and trusted resource on marketing and communication.
• Perform as an autonomous, decisive organization leader, not merely raising problems but also proactively working with others to solve them.
• Work to build credibility of TCG as a thought leader externally. Help the CEO grow the brand, reputation, and impact of TCG through identified opportunities for public speaking and external leadership.
Communications and Marketing Strategy, Vision, and Leadership
• Develop, lead, and evaluate TCG’s integrated communications strategy to advance brand identity, build, and maintain public support for TCG’s programs and priorities.
• Oversee a marketing program that enhances TCG’S image across diverse key stakeholder groups (from the public to the donor community) with a recognizable “brand” reflective of a strong organization on an upward trajectory.
• Play a key role in partnerships, public events, and launches of initiatives and programs with the goal of making TCG the go-to source on equity in educational philanthropy.
• Identify potential challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with the senior leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• As part of the senior leadership team, advise on all marketing and communications priorities, including the nature and timing for all public engagements and partnership alignments.
• Build capacity of TCG leadership in communications on an ongoing basis by providing training on a variety of topics, including public engagement, media, and social media.
• Assess, evaluate, and enhance formal, informal, internal, and external communications programs, leading implementation of regular communications impact monitoring, including web and social media analytics and strategy benchmarks.
• Oversee day-to-day activities of the communications function including budgeting, planning, and staff development to ensure resources are used effectively in service of the strategy.
Public Relations
• Establish a storytelling strategy that supports TCG’s mission and goals
• Create a public relations strategy that will allow TCG leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers.
• Identify, manage relationships with, and pitch to key media contacts
• Manage interviews and media placements and oversee the tracking and reporting of those media placements
• Draft press releases and outreach materials as needed.
• Staff or assign staffing for media interviews and events.
• Reputation, Issues and Crisis Management
• Identify and develop strategies for dealing effectively and proactively with external issues and concerns; interact with diverse stakeholder groups and represent TCG as needed.
• Proactively identify potential crises and develop strategies to manage those crises with external and internal constituencies.
Content Creation & Publishing
• Establish content strategy to identify, develop, optimize, and distribute high quality materials that reflect TCG’s core messages and strengths.
• Develop and oversee an editorial content strategy that leverages core team expertise and partner experiences that positions TCG to be a thought leader in equity in educational philanthropy.
• Oversee the creation (content + design) of key long-form pieces, such as annual and data reports
• Guide creation and repackaging of content for other formats such as blogs, social platforms, and video
• Draft op-eds in collaboration with other team members; suggest op-ed collaboration opportunities with strategic TCG partners. • Direct and manage contract writers and content producers
Social Media
• Devise and manage a robust digital and social media strategy for the enterprise, the CEO, and Senior Leadership Team.
• Measure ongoing public and stakeholder engagement with the organization’s brand, thought leadership, programs, and advocacy efforts.
Event Management
Supervise and support an Event Planning/Coordinating resource that will:
• Manage new and existing annual events
• Be responsible for overseeing event budgeting, results analysis, and vendor contract negotiations
• Ensure an organizational liaison for all fundraising events, providing promotional support and attending events
• Work with the Chief Development Officer to coordinate special donor cultivation events
• Work within Communications on the production of all event materials and public relations
• Write and/or edit correspondence, solicitations, and acknowledgment letters
• Provide day of event coverage
• Facilitate all volunteer event committees and work collaboratively with TCG staff to ensure appropriate leveraging of event volunteers, attendees, and donor relationships
• Acts as a liaison to community groups and vendors, as assigned Team
Development/Management
• Lead/coordinate a strong, vision-focused, service-oriented team of professionals (internal and external) across all aspects of media, internal and external communications, web design, and marketing. Foster collaboration, teamwork and creativity and a deep commitment to our stakeholders.
• Supervise, and support a communications resource that will execute and, in service of the communications strategy, write briefings for media and speaking events, blog and social media posts, op-eds and white papers, and oversee messaging for TCG communications vehicles.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Monitor staff performance and development goals, set priorities, and conduct annual performance appraisals.
• Where appropriate, manage communications consultants, inducing media relations consultants, designers, event firms, etc., to advance TCG’s strategic goals and key initiatives. Qualifications
• Commitment to increasing equity in the educational philanthropic ecosystem, developing Leaders of Color across the education landscape, providing opportunities for students to foster a sense of agency and ability in designing their plan for impact in a global world, and sharing knowledge and information with the broader community.
• At least 5 years of senior leadership experience.
• Experience in successfully implementing major marketing and communications initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to steer the development of an organizational brand and identity.
• Proven ability to build strong external relationships and the ability to find common ground, build consensus and strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
• Expertise in one or more of the following service areas: education, leadership development, or philanthropy.
• Exceptional team and people management skills; deep commitment to and belief in developing others, with an ability to influence, inspire trust, and motivate others to achieve objectives, both internally and externally.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to represent the organization externally across a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies.
• Demonstrated cultural competence as it relates to community awareness and astuteness.
• Ability to successfully navigate in a fast-paced, outcomes-driven, and entrepreneurial environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, inclusiveness, and empowerment.
• Career track record that shows stability with an organization and capacity to develop and nurture relationships culminating in overall success.
• Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree preferred.
Compensation
This is an outstanding opportunity to lead TCG’Ss highly-effective program area and partner with our CEO and senior management team. TCG offers a competitive compensation package including base salary, bonus potential, health, 401k and vacation benefits. The CAFE Group is a safe space for all, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, country of origin, religion, or ability.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. The CAFE Group is a 501(c)3 and an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to have a diverse team representative of the community of leaders it serves.