Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) seeks a Vice President – Communications to design and lead organization‑wide communication strategies that drive top‑of‑the‑funnel awareness, strengthen brand equity, and advance WWP's mission. The role oversees all awareness‑focused communications, including external and crisis communications, media relations, and thought leadership, while driving an integrated content and storytelling strategy across digital and traditional platforms. Reports to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Integration:
- Develop and execute comprehensive communications and awareness strategies aligned with WWP's mission, board directives, and long‑term strategic objectives, owning top‑of‑the‑funnel awareness efforts.
- Partner closely with marketing, fundraising, programs, and other departments to deliver cohesive messaging and integrated campaigns that increase reach, relevance, and consideration among key audiences.
- Lead crisis communications, including protocol development, rapid response, and stakeholder engagement, while advising senior leadership and the board on reputation management and thought leadership positioning.
- Lead and enforce brand guidelines and messaging frameworks to ensure clarity, consistency, and credibility across all communications.
Integrated Content Strategy & Digital Communications:
- Design and execute a comprehensive content strategy supporting awareness, education, and engagement, including editorial planning, content governance, audience segmentation, and performance measurement.
- Oversee owned and earned channels, including newsroom content, SEO, organic and social media, and content distribution strategies that maximize reach and visibility while supporting downstream engagement.
- Leverage data and analytics to evaluate awareness, reach, engagement, and ROI, continuously optimizing strategies based on performance insights.
Media Relations & Thought Leadership Strategy:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with national and regional media, digital influencers, podcast hosts, and industry thought leaders to elevate WWP's visibility and authority.
- Support the development and execution of WWP's thought leadership strategy.
- Oversee executive visibility efforts, including speaker bureau strategy, op‑eds, speaking engagements, proactive media pitching, and consistent external messaging across all platforms.
- Guide community engagement and audience interaction across digital and earned media channels.
Team Leadership & Operations:
- Lead, mentor, and develop the communications team through strategic direction, performance management, and professional growth opportunities.
- Manage the communications budget, agency and vendor relationships, technology platforms, and content production resources.
- Establish KPIs and measurement frameworks to assess awareness growth, media impact, thought leadership performance, and team effectiveness.
Organizational Responsibilities:
- Ensure communications comply with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards, partnering closely with legal counsel on sensitive matters.
- Contribute to senior leadership discussions and organizational strategic planning with a communications and reputation lens.
- Represent WWP at industry conferences, media events, and professional forums, while staying current on nonprofit, media, and communications trends and best practices.
- Attend and actively participate in required training and/or meetings, including but not limited to New Teammate Orientation, WWP Cares, ASIST Suicide Prevention training, Leadership training, culture/team based training, or departmental huddles.
- Other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
- Demonstrated success in developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies.
- Proven expertise in crisis communications planning and execution.
- Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment and adapt to evolving business needs.
- Strategic thinker with strong discipline in execution and the ability to translate vision into action.
- Demonstrated success in leading cross‑functional teams within complex or matrixed organizations.
- Advanced knowledge of digital marketing, SEO, content management systems, and social media platforms.
- Proficiency with communications technologies, including analytics platforms and content management tools.
- Strong understanding of the evolving media landscape, including traditional, digital, and emerging channels.
- Ability to lead executive communications and strategically engage senior internal and external stakeholders to support organizational priorities.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and build strategic partnerships.
- High emotional intelligence and cultural competency, with demonstrated sensitivity to military and veteran experiences.
- Experience managing budgets, vendor relationships, and agency partnerships.
- Passion for mission‑driven work and the ability to authentically communicate organizational stories to diverse audiences.
- Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct.
- Mission‑driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.
EXPERIENCE
Requirements:
- Ten years of progressively responsible communications experience.
- Eight years of senior leadership experience.
Preferences:
- Experience in nonprofit and/or veteran services sector environments.
EDUCATION
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field.
Preferences:
- Master's degree.
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE
Requirements:
- Valid state‑issued driver's license.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- General office environment; temperature controlled.
- Up to 25% travel.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Wounded Warrior Project offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Prescription drug, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Short‑term and Long‑term Disability, an Employee Assistance Program, 401(k), competitive PTO, Sick Leave, Family Care Leave, Paid Holidays, Birthday Holiday, Education Assistance, Teammate Wellness Program, and Bereavement Leave.
SALARY & LOCATION
For Chicago, IL; New York, NY; and Washington, D.C. applicants: The estimated hiring range begins at $200,000 annual base salary, subject to a candidate's combination of experience, qualifications, and credentials. The position may also be eligible for an annual performance incentive.
Wounded Warrior Project is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please note: Wounded Warrior Project is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms without a written search agreement in place. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Wounded Warrior Project via email, the Internet or directly to hiring managers at Wounded Warrior Project in any form without a valid written search agreement in place will be deemed the sole property of Wounded Warrior Project, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Wounded Warrior Project as a result of the referral or through other means.
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