VP of Marketing and Communications

Organization: Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF)
Location: Washington, DC
Date Posted: 03/04/2025

ABOUT THE ELIZABETH DOLE FOUNDATION

A nonpartisan organization founded in 2012, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF) is the nation’s preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring America’s 14.3 million military caregivers—spouses, parents, family members, and friends who care for our nation’s wounded, ill, or injured veterans.

Our mission is to empower military and veteran caregivers, their families, and communities through programs, partnerships, and advocacy that drive innovation and sustainable solutions.

EDF takes a comprehensive approach in its work, partnering with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, and faith communities to recognize military caregivers’ service and promote their well-being. Through its various campaigns and programs and with the help of high-profile celebrity ambassadors, the foundation is dedicated to four key areas of impact:

Promoting Emotional & Mental Wellbeing
Building & Sustaining Financial Strength & Economic Mobility
Strengthening Support & Improving Outcomes for Caregiver Youth and Families
Improving the Care Ecosystem for Veterans & Their Caregivers

The Foundation recently released its landmark RAND Study: Hidden Heroes Emerging from the Shadows. This groundbreaking report marks a decade since the first RAND study in 2014 and delves into the unique challenges faced by military and veteran caregivers and the unparalleled contributions they make.

In December 2024, EDF celebrated the milestone passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act by the U.S. Congress. This comprehensive package of veterans’ legislation, containing substantive, wide-reaching benefits and reforms, will be transformative for the broader veterans’ community and will be instrumental in helping our nation’s military and veteran caregivers thrive. The legislation includes more than 90 sections addressing such critical issues as long-term care, mental health resources, education, job training, VA modernization, and many more. The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, a bill within the larger package, will give severely ill and aging veterans the choice to convalesce at home by providing their caregivers with increased access to support services.

POSITION DESCRIPTION | ELIZABETH DOLE FOUNDATION

ROLE OVERVIEW

EDF seeks a seasoned marketing and communications professional with significant management experience who will lead by example through a tireless work ethic, commitment to mission, focus on excellence, creative thinking, and ability to promote EDF’s work on behalf of military families. This position will also serve on the Foundation’s Executive Management Team and work across leadership to ensure that EDF’s strategic goals around marketing and communications are met and exceeded in the years to come. The position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and works closely with EDF’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Steve Schwab, as well as the Chief Development Officer (CDO).

Now, more than ever, the Foundation seeks to highlight and uplift the stories of America’s military and veteran caregivers, expand its national coalition, and leverage relationships on Capitol Hill and beyond to advance programming and policy that support military families. The VP of Marketing and Communications will help expand EDF’s presence in both online and print communications, specifically with on-the-record experience and proven capabilities in marketing, engagement, and outreach strategies.

Success will be measured by:

Expanding the Foundation’s community of caregivers.
Enlisting more Caregiver Fellows and caregivers to amplify the Foundation’s messaging.
Reaching more of the broader public.
Diversifying the platforms the Foundation uses to advance its cause.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide daily management of EDF’s communications team, including supervision, guidance, accountability, and tracking metrics to measure success.
Lead campaigns and initiatives that promote EDF through novel and data-driven marketing strategies, resulting in increased awareness and engagement.
Serve as a proactive and credible advisor to the CEO on all matters related to communications, marketing, and brand engagement.
Oversee brand identity and recognition for EDF, creating internal tracking mechanisms to survey reach and impact over social media.
Develop both internal and external marketing and communications strategies for EDF’s new Strategic Plan, inspired by the Foundation’s 2024 RAND study.
Collaborate with military and veterans’ organizations to ensure EDF provides the best possible support to caregivers.
Maintain a best-in-class website, newsletter, social media presence, and press outreach.
Develop and implement strategies for executive communications and thought leadership.
Work in tandem with the Chief Development Officer to support outward-facing communications, revenue-generating efforts, and major events.
Expand EDF’s portfolio of media contacts, increasing overall press coverage and reaffirming EDF’s leadership role in the military and veterans’ space.
Serve as an on-the-record spokesperson for EDF, issuing timely statements and driving impactful communications strategies.
Build strong relationships with EDF’s corporate stakeholders, particularly their communications teams, to highlight key partnerships.
Oversee engagement with third-party vendors/consultants for the development of speeches, presentations, and messaging.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The VP of Marketing and Communications should have 10-15 years of experience, including direct team management and senior-level participation in an organization, office, marketing campaign, or governing entity. The ideal candidate will have:

Expertise in marketing, communications, branding, and advocacy campaigns.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire teams to achieve success.
Experience with outsourced staffing models and the ability to provide clear vision and feedback.
A data-driven mindset with strong analytical skills.
Experience working in ambiguous circumstances and developing solutions.
Passion for EDF’s mission and empathy for the military and caregiver communities.
A Bachelor’s degree in a related field (an advanced degree is preferable but not required).
Availability for in-person office time and participation in events on weeknights and weekends, as necessary.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

EDF offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

Up to 90% healthcare coverage
401K match
Flexible/hybrid work environment
Family leave
Commuter benefits
Generous PTO

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, including but not limited to: