Vice President Of Engagement

Position Summary

The Freedom Forum works to raise awareness of First Amendment freedoms through education, advocacy and action with a vision of an America where everyone knows, understands, values and defends the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.

The Vice President of Engagement, who reports to the Chief Engagement Officer, will take the lead to conceptualize, test, and guide the Freedom Forum’s strategies for engaging with all Americans to advance the organization’s mission to foster First Amendment freedoms for all. In collaboration with the Engagement Team, the VP, Engagement will help guide the strategic vision to build, support and grow engagement efforts for the Freedom Forum and the First Amendment.

Summary of Responsibilities

The VP of Engagement serves as the strategic thought partner for the Chief Engagement Officer, and guides the development of strategic initiatives, programming, and events to creatively engage audiences throughout the country.

This senior position will help to envision and build a model for engaging with all 350 million Americans across the country, whether digitally or in person, around the First Amendment.

Responsibilities include:

• Engage audiences across multiple platforms, from national to local communities, including grass-roots campaigns, that connect content with meaningful opportunities for people to learn and act.
• Provide guidance and expertise to the Engagement Team, which includes Programs and Events, Grassroots and Community Engagement, Collections and Exhibits, and Video Production and Technology Operations.
• Guide the development of initiatives and programs which connect relevant First Amendment information to different audiences in a strategic way.
• Manage a team of people to implement goals and vision of the organization. The VP of Engagement will have a team of 3-4 direct reports and will need to work laterally with other VPs, Directors, and Managers across the organization.
• Work with the Digital Team to analyze data and experimental marketing strategies to determine how to connect with the greatest number of people, and in ways that are meaningful to them.
• Promote cross-disciplinary idea generation and creative thinking throughout the Engagement team, as well as with senior leadership and all internal teams to plan, execute, support and promote all the functions of the Freedom Forum.
• Guide the strategic development of existing and new public programming and events, including the annual Free Expression Awards, First Amendment Festival, Campus Tours, First Five Live and First Five Now programming, traveling and airport exhibits, and potential new “mass-scale” events designed to reach large audiences.
• Develop and execute creative, big-picture engagement strategies to influence diverse audiences, based on who and where they are, and how they consume information.

Qualifications:

• High-level experience in leading the creation, technical planning and implementation of strategic initiatives for a high-impact project at a nonprofit or organization including identifying market opportunities, negotiating and operationalizing partnerships, and executing tactics as methods of education, advocacy and action.
• Strong people management skills. A least 5 years of experience managing 3 or more direct reports.
• Proven skill sets in the development and execution of creative engagement strategies to influence diverse audiences.
• At least 8 years of experience in leadership of creative and strategic engagement work.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion as an integral part of our work.
• A willingness to dive into First Amendment issues and a desire to help explain those complex issues to diverse audiences.
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• A passion for the First Amendment and the Freedom Forum’s mission
• Experience and skill with planning and executing public programs, events, and other methods of engagement.
• A self-starter who contributes original thinking, critical thinking, and creative energy to our work, and who has strong collaboration skills.
• A commitment to providing a nonpartisan forum and differing perspectives for discussion of ideas about First Amendment rights and responsibilities.
• Skilled in knowledge about engaging audiences across multiple platforms, from national to local communities, and from in-person to digital.

Location: Remote, with preference for Washington, D.C.

Salary range: $200,000 - $220,000 + benefits

The deadline to apply is Friday, May 26th. This search is being led by NRG Consulting Group. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement: Our Unique Differences Are Our Greatest Strength

Diversity is an integral part of the Freedom Forum’s history ̶ and it is vital to our future. Our founder, Al Neuharth, championed the hiring and promotion of women and minorities across the country as chair and CEO of Gannett. His legacy lives on at the Freedom Forum, where we are committed to creating an environment where everyone across race, gender, age, sexual orientation, sexual identity, religion, physical ability and life experience is respected, valued, encouraged and supported. Diversity fuels inclusion. Everyone offers a unique perspective; we welcome yours.

The Freedom Forum is committed to an ethical workplace, and our code of ethics reflects this commitment by promoting integrity, innovation, inclusivity, collaboration, accountability, respect and engagement. Competitive benefits include health, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as paid time off and a 401(k) Plan.

The Freedom Forum is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.