Senior Director, External Affairs

Salary Range: $200,000 – $225,000

About the Milken Institute

The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.

About the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream           

In just over a year, the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD) will open its doors in Washington, DC to visitors from around the world. Our visitor center, based in beautiful and historic bank buildings across from the Treasury Department and White House and directly on Pennsylvania Ave, will contain interactive exhibits and state of the art technology focused on the dynamic story of the America Dream. The Center will also host an extensive online community and gathering place that features virtual exhibits, inspirational and educational programming, exciting research about economic and social opportunities, and global competitions.

The ideal at the heart of the American Dream speaks to the aspirations of people everywhere: No matter who you are or where you come from, you should have the opportunity to build the life you want to live. Our mission is to advance economic and social mobility, by celebrating lives and ideas that embody the American Dream, confronting barriers to opportunity, and catalyzing solutions to overcome those barriers. We broaden opportunity by expanding knowledge of and access to education, health, and finance, and by empowering an entrepreneurial mindset. Our purpose is to make the American Dream an attainable reality for people everywhere-across America and the world.

About the Position

The Center’s Leadership Team seeks a dynamic, flexible and strategic leader to join our growing team. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director of External Affairs will lead the effort to develop audience and external engagement at the Center, scheduled to open to the public in Spring 2025, providing management and strategic direction for the organization’s public-facing communications, website and digital strategy, public programs and partnerships. The Senior Director of External Affairs also serves as a strategic partner for creating and evolving best practices of mission-driven outreach and impact strategy in a growing, fast-paced non- profit organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership, strategic planning and management to the Center that focuses on the expression of the organization’s externally-facing mission and core values, and engagement with a broad range of physical and digital audiences.
• Provide strategic planning and leadership to develop and execute near-term plans for opening the Center in early 2025, including communications planning, website development, online content and social media strategies, public programs, community and stakeholder engagement, and opening events, in collaboration with the Executive Director and related MCAAD senior staff. This position will also coordinate with operations, exhibit, content, fundraising, and special events teams.
• Work closely with MI colleagues in related departments to formalize efficient and successful strategies for cross-MI communication, partnerships, events, marketing, online presence, and funder engagement. Continue building towards a system of MI and MCAAD integrations.
• Lead, implement, and manage an ongoing, long-range operational planning process for the Center’s external affairs and audience engagement after opening, which results in its continued growth and effectiveness and positive reputational impact.
• Hire, motivate and lead high-performance management teams in the areas of Comms/Marketing, Audience Development, Digital Strategy, Partnerships, Public Programs and others as assigned.
• Serve as a member of the Senior Management Team, and work with other management team members to integrate and coordinate vision, planning, communications, operations, and service delivery. Contribute ideas, concepts, and thoughts needed to support and evolve a dynamic organization in a team management environment.
• Provide leadership and direct involvement in creating positive, mutually supportive
• relationships with the Center’s vendors, stakeholders and partners.
• Be of counsel to the Executive Director, providing the support and ideas necessary to create an exciting and vital institution.
• Work internally and externally to support visitor offerings such as retail, F&B, event sales, membership and others, as needed and appropriate.
• Successfully implement other programs or special projects as needed and appropriate.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in arts, communications, non-profit management or relevant field
• 10-15 years of communications and strategic planning experience in leadership positions in museums, nonprofits or other mission-driven organizations, as well as relevant external affairs experience with a track record of successful outcomes
• Strong administrative and communication skills. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with MCAAD and MI leadership, funders, partners, volunteers, staff and a wide range of community leaders
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a start-up environment where creativity, collaboration and a healthy sense of humor under pressure is key
• Proven ability to select and manage staff, assign tasks, schedule work, follow-up and evaluate. Must be able to grow and develop department teams, be detail oriented and organized
• Clear understanding of the needs of diverse and inclusive museum audiences and commitment to best practices to ensure that all visitors feel respected, warmly welcomed, and comfortable in the Center
• Demonstrated ability to navigate MCAAD’s ecosystem and public landscape of cultural centers, think tanks, public learning offerings, and museums—locally, nationally, and globally
• Track record of success in managing to completion complex program, communications, and digital projects, including long-term strategic partnerships
• Knowledge of and experience in budgeting and financial management in a complex environment
• Familiarity with the world of finance and capital is a plus

Working Conditions & Travel Requirements

This position will work in a professional office environment. This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. International along with domestic travel is possible.

Note

We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.

The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process. Apply here

Our Culture

The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan – 403b (5%)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
• Training & Development:
  1. LinkedIn Learning –over 10,000 classes offered, self-guided.
  2. Mentor Program
• Wellness Resources:
  1. Employee Assistance Program
  2. CALM app membership