About Project Guardianship

Project Guardianship (PG) provides guardianship services for older adults and people with disabilities in New York who have been determined by a judicial proceeding to need help making decisions and have no family or friends able to assist them.  PG’s team approach employs attorneys, case managers, and finance associates to provide clients with services that allow them to be as independent and in the least restrictive setting as possible.  Since 2005, TGP has served hundreds of New Yorkers and has become a leading voice in a national, interdisciplinary effort to re-envision and strengthen guardianship policy.

Position Summary

The VP of External Affairs will lead Project Guardianship’s efforts in advocacy, policy, fundraising, and communications.  The VP, External Affairs will design and oversee initiatives that foster strategic partnerships, strengthen communications, and expand relationships with policy makers, funders, and other influencers and stakeholders. Reporting to the President and CEO, the VP EA will oversee PG’s Director of Development and Communications, Data and Policy Manager, and communications and government affairs consultants, with future plans to hire a Director of Policy and Advocacy. As a thought-partner to the CEO and Board of Directors, the VP EA will play a critical role in building PG’s policy agenda and work in advocacy, coalition-building, and resource development.  The position is critical to the fulfillment of PG’s mission to transform the systems that support older adults and individuals living with disabilities and mental illness.  

Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead all external affairs activities including advocacy, government affairs, partnership-building, fundraising, and communications
  • Develop and promote PG’s legislative/policy agenda in collaboration with leadership team, including directing efforts to achieve policy change that increases resources and expands programs for older adults and people living with disabilities and mental illness
  • Oversee and implement PG’s advocacy work directed at elected officials, members of the policy community, and the general public – including increasing public awareness of guardianship, alternatives, and injustices in the current system
  • Build a strong coalition of nonprofit and public service partners
  • Represent PG at other coalitions organized around issues relevant to our work such as home care and senior housing
  • Direct external communication efforts to donors, community partners, legislators, and the general public, including developing materials and communications campaigns
  • Promote PG’s work - including its model, research, and recommendations - through earned media, social media, and advocacy with policy makers
  • Share responsibility with CEO as primary spokespersons for the organization
  • Work with the CEO and Director of Development and Communications to develop and operationalize a revenue growth strategy
  • Increase grant development, proposal output, and solicitation of prospects

 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree required, Masters preferred
  • 7-10 years of professional experience in advocacy, policy, development, and communications
  • Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience
  • Knowledge of New York City and State government and policy, preferably including understanding public finances and services
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • A successful track record in setting priorities; keen analytic, strategic planning, organization, and problem solving skills which support and enable sound decision making
  • Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
  • Demonstrated ability to balance multiple short-term priorities and longer-term projects
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to social justice


Salary

Salary will be commensurate with experience and includes excellent benefits.  Please indicate your salary requirement in your cover letter.

Project Guardianship is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

Project Guardianship works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.

For more information about Project Guardianship’s work, please visit www.projectguardianship.org.

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