Location: Atlanta, GA
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children fulfills society’s most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified and compassionate adult will fight for and protect an abused or neglected child’s best interest. The mission of National CASA/GAL, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court‐appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive. Today, only 45% of the abused or neglected children in the system have access to a CASA/GAL volunteer. The National CASA/GAL organization is committed to ensuring 100% of these children have access to a CASA or GAL volunteer.
Breaking New Ground
National CASA/GAL has developed a strategic framework that is informing and guiding our efforts through a major reorganization, development of a new business model, and plan for the future direction of the organization, including the launching of a major Capital Campaign. The leadership team that will drive these changes will be strategic thinkers, relationship builders, collaborative decision-makers, entrepreneurial achievers, effective communicators, change leaders, inspiring motivators, and culturally competent. Our task ahead is to move closer to a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home. To that end, the new strategic plan includes the following dimensions:
SCALE THE IMPACT of state and local CASA/GAL programs to serve children in every corner of the United States, identifying areas of highest need. We will assess gaps in coverage and capacity, forecast future need, and develop blueprints for growth in the states, cities, towns, and counties where we operate.
RECRUIT AND RETAIN VOLUNTEERS including more volunteers of color and more male volunteers to reflect the diversity of the children we serve. We will follow best practices to keep volunteers engaged and connected to the CASA/GAL movement. Recognizing that our volunteers are our greatest asset and best ambassadors, we will invest in new strategies for recruitment.
RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS about the needs of the vulnerable children we serve and the challenges they face. We will give the issues of child abuse and neglect a national platform, educate the public on the transformative impact of CASA and GAL volunteers, and offer ways for community members to engage with us to spark meaningful change.
NEW EVIDENCE BASED APPROACHES building on our long history of recruiting and training and developing volunteer advocates through curriculum and other training opportunities we will incorporate the latest research in mental health, child development, and trauma informed care, understanding poverty and strengthening and supporting families. We are committed to a culture of continuous learning and improvement throughout our staff and volunteer workforce. We will ensure volunteers are equipped to make a life-changing difference for children and families.
STUDY WHAT WORKS BEST for children in the foster care and the court systems to help them reach safe, permanent homes faster and help them thrive into adulthood. Working with more than a quarter million children, National CASA/GAL will build new evidence-based knowledge through performance measurement and evaluation, sharing breakthroughs and key learnings with practitioners nationwide to improve the child welfare sector.
Position Summary
The Sr. Executive Communications Officer is responsible for developing an integrated communications strategy that raises awareness of our brand and creates inspiring messaging and stories that compel citizens to volunteer and support the mission and vision of the National CASA/GAL Association and positions the National CASA/GAL Association as an innovator and thought leader in child welfare and trusted brand. The Officer will be a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) responsible for creating and executing the executive communications strategy for the CEO and will develop, manage, and implement executive thought leader platforms and strategic communications. The position will deliver integrated communications that support the organization’s strategic priorities, organizational strategy, and direction through creative and relevant messaging to internal and external audiences that creates clarity, confidence, and a connection to our strategy. The Officer will also take the lead in coordinating and aligning all communications efforts across the organization with the organizational priorities, goals, and objectives to ensure a unified message, consistent brand presence, and optimal impact. This includes working with the CEO and the Board of Trustees on the development of a strategic communications plan that includes strategies and initiatives that uplift the mission and provides highly effective support to the CASA/GAL network.
The Sr. Executive Communications Officer proactively seeks platforms and opportunities to elevate the CASA/GAL story and provides strategic and operational communication guidance that demonstrates measurable impact. The position is both tactical and strategic with responsibility for creating communication materials and speeches for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and prepares the CEO for external and internal opportunities that deliver the vision, direction, and status of organizational projects and priorities. The Officer seeks and manages engagements that amplify the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of the National CASA/GAL Association and the impact of the movement.
The successful candidate will be comfortable and have experience supporting and coaching executive leaders. The individual will have a demonstrated ability to quickly capture an executive’s voice and think creatively about how to help senior executives show up authentically to a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders in a wide range of channels. A key requirement of this role is the ability to maintain confidentiality and have a low ego (no need to take credit for executive messages).
Reporting Relationships
This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer and collaborates with fellow Executive Leadership team members.
The Sr. Executive Communications Officer provides leadership to the communications team, including the Network Communications Officer, the Director Network Marketing and Communications and Manager Digital Communications and other Communications Team members to include a Graphic Designer, and Director Brand Marketing. The Sr. Executive Communications Officer will also collaborate with the Marketing, Government Relations, and Resource Development teams to execute successful events and public outreach.
This position reports directly to the CEO and may include one direct report.
Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Responsible for leading National CASA/GAL Association’s communications function and coordinating with other functional areas that have responsibility for external and internal communications to ensure alignment of messages, deliverables, ensuring deadlines are met.
- Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them. Manage crisis communications when and if necessary.
- Create public relations strategy that will allow National CASA/GAL leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers.
- Oversees the development and execution of special initiatives out of the Executive Office and or on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
- Leads the roll-out and communications for the strategic plan to the CASA/GAL network, internally and with external audiences.
- Leads the development and refinement of a comprehensive, strategic communications program that effectively communicates the vision, strategy, and direction of the organization and compels internal and external stakeholders to action.
- Prepares the CEO for external events, talking points, press events, partner meetings, government meetings, video messages, written correspondence, background details, and subject matter briefs.
- Prepares and approves all CEO communications, external statements, quotes and other letters and publications requiring CEO input, i.e., annual report letter, year-end reports, annual conference remarks, and other materials as needed.
- Prepares press releases and portal communications for any significant organizational. announcements; manages Board communications to support their advocacy work on behalf of the Association and to help the Board be the best brand ambassadors.
- Prepares strategic messages on topics relevant to the needs of the CASA/GAL Network in partnership with the Advancement team.
- Look at communications through the lens of a change management filter.
- Serve as a spokesperson and lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization.
- Develops a messaging architecture, cadence, and roadmap that outlines the distribution of key messages that correspond with activities taking place in the organization.
- Oversee development of all National CASA/GAL print communications including the annual report, marketing collateral materials and electronic communications including National CASA/GAL’s website and new media; manage relationships with associated vendors.
Experience, Qualifications and Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree in communications, public relations or journalism preferred.
- 10-15 years of experience of communications experience and experience in a similar or related position, or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Able to develop and lead executive, external and internal strategic communications strategies and plans.
- Prior experience building and implementing communications plans collaborating with senior-level management.
- Must be initiative-taking and have a level of comfort working in a dynamic environment and have strong critical thinking skills that result in well thought out recommendations to the CEO and Board of Trustees.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while being strategic and tactical when the need arises.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally within the organization to get results.
- Demonstrated excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, and the highest quality presentation and speech writing abilities, in addition to outstanding writing skills to include composition, sentence structure, and correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Experience crafting strong messages that clearly communicate complicated business issues- making them digestible and interesting to readers.
- Demonstrated flexibility, mature judgment, and ability to function professionally under pressure.
- Knowledge of PowerPoint and media analysis tools.
- Demonstrated proficiency in social media and digital platforms.
- Become a steward and ambassador for the CASA/GAL mission and brand.
- Demonstrate high levels of professionalism and executive presence.
- Understand trends in child welfare and best practices in executive communications.
- Willingness to travel as necessary.
Compensation & Benefits
National CASA/GAL offers competitive compensation and benefits package, and generous paid leave. This is a full-time exempt position.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter to dharmattieb@nationalcasagal.org.
Organizational Values
Adaptability ◦ Collaboration ◦ Integrity ◦ Respect ◦ Quality ◦ Service ◦ Stewardship
National CASA/GAL is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with an office in Atlanta, GA, and is committed to an inclusive and welcoming workplace environment.
National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children
100 WEST HARRISON, NORTH TOWER, SUITE 500, SEATTLE, WA 98119
www.nationalcasagal.org
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER