Executive Director, External Relations

We Are LifeLink…

Our Vision is to maximize the gift of life while giving hope to donor families and transplant patients. Our Mission is to honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation.

Our Values are: Compassion. Excellence. Legacy. People. Quality.

Why choose LifeLink?   We offer the following:

• Amazing culture since 1982
• Company paid Medical, Dental, Disability & Life Insurance
• Generous company paid Pension Plan for your Retirement
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days & Holidays
• Encouraging career track
• Fitness Membership Reimbursement
  …much more!

Join our team of dedicated professionals who are committed to saving lives.

Summary:

In support of LifeLink Foundation’s core purpose and business definition, the employee is professional, compassionate, and determined. The Executive Director, Communications & External Relations, is responsible for the communications and public engagement efforts of LifeLink Foundation and its various divisions. The incumbent oversees the Public Affairs and Multicultural Donation Education Program (MDEP) departments and is responsible for brand strategy and execution, communications and marketing strategy, public relations, fundraising efforts, public education, multicultural outreach, community relations, corporate public events, and governmental relations. This role oversees the Public Affairs and MDEP department’s budgets, staff, and strategies in order to grow the applicable Organ Donor Registries within all LifeLink donation service areas. The Executive Director, Communications & External Relations is responsible for ensuring that a common, consistent, positive, integrated donation message is communicated to the public through all LifeLink media resources such as the website, social media presence, marketing, public relations, community relations, partnerships, and public policy. The incumbent is expected to be self-directed and be proactive in the identification of barriers to the facilitation of organ and tissue donation.

 Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement integrated, innovative, and successful communications, public engagement, and governmental relations strategies that advance LifeLink’s brand, mission, and goals creating statewide awareness about organ and tissue donation to grow applicable Organ Donor Registries within all LifeLink donation service areas.
2. Lead the Public Affairs and MDEP departments, which includes marketing, internal and external communications, public relations, public education, community outreach, multicultural outreach, volunteer programs, corporate public events, and governmental affairs; supervises the Director of Public Affairs and Director of MDEP.
3. Lead the governmental affairs efforts in all LifeLink donation service areas, developing and implementing the legislative strategies at the federal, state, and local levels; manage the relationship with state and federal lobbying firms, monitor public policy and regulations that affect LifeLink, build relationships with elected officials and government agencies, oversee public advocacy efforts and communications supportive of donation; collaborate with state and national associations to advance donation and transplantation in all LifeLink donation services areas at all levels of government.
4. With Division Executive Directors, set, develop, and oversee the strategies for marketing, internal and external communications, community relations, public education, multicultural outreach efforts, volunteer engagement, and governmental affairs.
5. Serve on the senior leadership team, reporting to the Executive Director, OPO Operations, assisting all LifeLink Divisions with consistent, clear communication, both internally and externally. Develop a crisis communications plan and collaborate with senior leaders to manage a crisis or compliance violation.
6. Represent LifeLink at public events, serve as staff liaison and/or consultant to governance groups as assigned, attend state and national association gatherings that advance donation and provide insight and resources to further LifeLink’s goals.
7. Oversee the recruitment, orientation, and training of a diverse staff for the Department. Teach and mentor others, develop and manage the performance of direct reports.
8. Encourage a healthy workplace environment that is inclusive and proactive, develop plans and processes, so that division staff have the tools and training to innovate and become best-in-class communicators and public relations practitioners in a multimedia digital landscape.
9. Serve as LifeLink’s spokesperson, as needed, ensuring coverage for after-hours media events and inquiries. Develop and implement a public relations plan, oversee media and press releases, oversee content creation for the media assets of the organization, grow and maintain the social media and online presence in all LifeLink donation service areas, and oversee databases and distribution channels for all of the organization’s media outlets.
10. Participate in peer-to-peer collaboration with other organ procurement organizations and partners for best practice sharing and learning.
11. Participate in special projects and other assignments as directed by Manager.

Requirements:

1. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in communications, governmental affairs, marketing, or public relations required, master’s degree a plus.
2. A minimum of 10 years of experience, including in a managerial/leadership role.
3. A minimum of 5 years of experience in developing and implementing digital marketing strategies.
4. Experience in establishing business goals and strategies, and relationship-building and team-development skills.
5. Strong organizational skills and ability to allocate time efficiently to handle multiple demands, including operational pressures and deadlines and competing priorities, simultaneously.
6. Excellent leadership skills, must be visionary, creative, and innovative, enjoy working with people, and have a high competence in public speaking.
7. Reliable vehicle with good driving record and current state license.

 Working Conditions

Pleasant working conditions in a team-oriented environment. Periodic high-stress levels. Extensive air/ground travel, both local and national, may be required. Extended hours may be required and accessibility by phone necessary for the full execution of this position.

OSHA Risk Classification:  Low