Chief External Affairs and Philanthropy Officer

THE ORGANIZATION

Bancroft was founded in 1883, and is a leading human services provider, offering support for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injury. Bancroft operates over 200 locations in New Jersey and Delaware. These locations include special education schools serving children from age 5 through 21, group homes, day services, and rehabilitation therapies.

THE POSITION

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed. This job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of an incumbent. Bancroft reserves the right to modify the job description at any time, at its sole discretion.

The Chief External Affairs and Philanthropy Officer will drive awareness and advocacy of the organization’s mission and needs, to expand impact and growth. They will develop a strategy for optimizing Bancroft’s external relations with donors and federal and state policymakers. This person works closely with other senior leadership team members and the Board of Trustees and provides a high level of internal and external leadership in advancing Bancroft’s community engagement, donor relations, and health policy goals. Reports to the President and CEO of Bancroft.

Department: Executive/Administration
Reports to: President & Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports: Assistant VP of Development, Sr Director of Marketing and Communications, Director of Government Relations.
FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Lead the external affairs function, including developing and executing strategy for optimizing Bancroft’s relations with federal and state policymakers; building and maintaining relationships with key policymakers and government agencies; and managing internal and external government affairs professionals.
2. Oversee and manage all aspects of the development and fundraising program, including major gifts, planned to give, annual funds, special events, and grant writing.
3. Oversee and manage Bancroft’s marketing efforts to promote the organization’s mission, programs, and services, including the creation of collateral materials, social media content, and other communications.
4. Identify and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including elected officials, community leaders, and Bancroft families, donors, and volunteers.
5. Develop and implement strategies to engage and mobilize supporters to advocate for support for the organization’s mission and its impact on the community.
6. Represent the organization at community events, conferences, and other public forums to enhance the organization’s visibility and influence.
7. Work closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to develop and maintain a strong external affairs presence.

Staff Management and Mentorship

1. Build and manage a high-performing external affairs team that is aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
2. Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to external affairs staff to build their capacity to achieve fundraising and advocacy objectives and to support the organization’s mission and priorities.
3. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the external affairs team and across the organization.
4. Develop and implement performance metrics and evaluation tools to ensure the team’s performance meets or exceeds fundraising and advocacy outreach targets and other organizational goals.
5. Perform other duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATION WIDE PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

1. Abides by Bancroft’s Code of Ethics, Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Core Values in promoting ethical behavior, establishing relationships, and providing guidance in decision-making situations.
2. Remains current with required training certifications, meets state-regulated licensing and regulatory accreditations, and adheres to mandatory requirements.
3. Maintains effective verbal and written communications with colleagues, those served, and their family members and/or guardians when applicable.
4. Willingly and effectively cooperates with Bancroft, The Department of Human Services, The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and other licensing or state agencies or local municipalities in any inspections and investigations, upon request.
5. Maintains a safe and respectful environment, free of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; does not allow weapons, threats, bullying, or intimidation.
6. Reports any violations to the appropriate individual as soon as the incident occurs.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Relations, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a senior external affairs, government relations, or development role within a nonprofit, government, or healthcare organization.
• Experience in recruiting, coaching, and retaining a high-functioning team, and overseeing multiple departments.
• Ability to engage with diverse community stakeholders, including elected officials, business leaders, foundations, and nonprofit partners, to build creative and mutually beneficial business relationships.
• Proven ability to align external relations strategies with organizational goals and priorities.

Special Skills

• Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills, including ability to build key relationships and represent the organization at hearings, conferences, and high-profile public events.
• Strong understanding of federal and state agency policymaking processes, regulations, and funding mechanisms related to human services.
• Ability to develop and execute a strategic advocacy plan that aligns with organizational goals.
• Track record of engaging in coalition-building and working with associations, nonprofits, and other stakeholders to advance policy initiatives.
• Experience developing comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that enhance brand awareness and visibility, including the crafting of compelling narratives and messaging that effectively communicate the organization’s mission, impact, and value to various stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of fundraising and development initiatives, including capital campaigns, grant writing, and donor engagement strategies.
• Experience working with board members and leadership teams on fundraising and development strategies.
• High energy, positive, “can-do” attitude; high degree of initiative; flexible, team player, and attentive to detail.

REQUIRED BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

Bancroft requires all employees to model and uplift its Core Values, which are summarized below:

• Compassion: Expressing kindness, caring, and a willingness to help others.
• Accountability: Accepting responsibility for personal behavior and actions.
• Respect: Showing care about the feelings and well-being of others.
• Empowerment: Becoming strong and confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights.
• Safety: Protecting self and others from danger, risk, or injury.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, exempt, in-person position with Bancroft, with executive offices at 1255 Caldwell Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. The role will require occasional travel in-state and regionally.
Starting Salary Range: The starting salary range for the position is $200,000 – $225,000 depending on experience. Benefits include but are not limited to: medical, prescription drug, vision, and dental coverage; flexible spending plan, employee assistance program (EAP), life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, commuter benefits; 403(b) retirement plan, wellness program, tuition benefits.
All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of background checks as determined by Bancroft.

TO APPLY

Bancroft has retained Dunleavy & Associates as its partner for this search. In order to be considered, please submit your resume or CV and a cover letter via the following LINK.

EEO/AAP STATEMENT

Bancroft provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

BANCROFT’S CORE VALUES

Compassion

Expressing kindness, caring, and a willingness to help others.
Help others feel valued and support a sense of belonging. Show interest and concern for others with whom you work, serve, or support. Offer support when a colleague is in need, without being asked. Listen openly, non-defensively, and without judgment when someone is sharing an opinion, concern, or issue. Be available and supportive to others. Create an environment where different ideas and experiences can be shared openly by team members, without fear of criticism or retaliation. Show empathy to colleagues, family, and persons served perspective when dealing with difficult situations. Explain the “Why” to everyone involved when a treatment is being recommended. Be conscious of your own blind spots or unconscious bias.

Accountability

Accepting responsibility for personal behavior and actions.
Keep your promises and other commitments. Follow through to completion when accepting responsibility for something. Meet deadlines, and follow-up to ensure others do the same. Ensure team member concerns are heard, responded to, and addressed appropriately. Consistently come to work when scheduled and be on time. Follow all policies and procedures. Use the employee escalation and appeal process when your immediate supervisor cannot satisfactorily address a workplace issue or concern. Attend meetings, education, and other events you signed up for and communicate if your plans change. Come to meetings on time and be prepared to actively participate. Own issues or challenges by finding things within your control that can help.

Respect

Showing care about the feelings and well-being of others.
Treat everyone fairly; the way they would want you to treat them. Get to know the individuals served, families, and colleagues for the people they are; introduce yourself, engage in meaningful conversations. Show support for all individuals we encounter (team members, those we serve, family members, etc.), learn their names and how to pronounce them, and respect their right to choose their pronouns and use the ones they use for themselves. Keep conversations constructive, focused on common ground, and solutions to problems. Be attentive to others’ cultures, beliefs, opinions, and backgrounds and adapt as needed, to the extent they align with Bancroft’s Core Values. Make sure persons served have a choice in how they spend leisure time. Ask persons served or families, “What matters to you?” Value differences as opportunities to learn and grow. Welcome and introduce others and help make them feel they belong. Celebrate and/or acknowledge successes and milestones of others. Meet people where they are; open yourself up to others’ points of views and perspectives. Focus on the topic of the meeting without distractions of devices or other work. Offer individuals served and colleagues opportunities for choices and to have a say in things that relate to them. Be aware of email etiquette (respond timely, use words as you would in person, and don’t forget “please” and “thank you”).

Empowerment

Becoming strong and confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights.
Take initiative to pursue needed improvements (See it – Own it – Solve it – Do it). Provide opportunities for others to expand their involvement and personal or professional growth. Ask colleagues to represent you at meetings when you are not available. Collaborate with others to be inclusive in problem-solving and decision-making. Support persons served in making their own decisions, rather than decide for them or tell them how to decide. Make decisions that fall within your responsibility. Effectively delegate to others and support their decisions. Report things that are a concern or do not appear to be appropriate. Find ways to help individuals served learn and grow in everything they do. Freely share ideas or suggestions. Be inquisitive, ask questions, and offer support. Develop the courage to take personal risks when needed to support each other and the organization’s success.

Safety

Protecting self and others from danger, risk, or injury.
Be aware of safety in all home, school, and work environments, and make immediate corrections when needed. Follow all safety procedures, even when stress is high, and time is short. Proactively de-escalate behaviors whenever possible and appropriate. Provide and support a psychologically safe work environment. Immediately report concerns when things don’t seem right. Clean up spills, and don’t leave them unattended. Take the initiative to understand service and behavior plans, goals, etc. Make sure treatment goals are aligned with evidence-based practices. Address unsafe conditions without waiting to be asked. Ensure supplies are replenished before they are depleted.