Vice President Of Marketing & Communication

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President, Marketing & Communications will be responsible for creating and executing a fully integrated, multi-faceted marketing and communications strategy aimed at positioning Avalon as the nation’s premier charitable giving organization for donors as well as an indispensable service organization advancing the way that the US healthcare system treats TBI, mental wellness, and brain health. To this end, the Vice President will be responsible for the overarching MarComms strategy, which will include brand awareness, engagement, public relations, crisis communications, and creative content.

The Vice President will be joining Avalon at a time of significant need, investment, and expansion. As such, they need a forward-thinking strategic marketing and communications executive to develop and lead innovative Marcomms plans, provide executive oversight to integrated alliance campaigns, and oversee effective branding strategies. In the context of this role, Vice President must be adept at navigating a rapidly changing marketing and communications landscape identifying strategies that can reach targeted audiences beyond traditional outlets.

The Organization

Avalon Action Alliance provides post-trauma care for all military personnel (active duty and veteran status) and first responders dealing with traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress (PTS), anxiety and depression, and substance abuse. Avalon offers an integrated network of services, ensuring clients receive effective clinical and non-clinical support needed to overcome the effects of invisible wounds.

Avalon provides an extensive evaluation and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) that uses an interdisciplinary model successfully treating mild TBI patients for over a decade. This position will work closely with Avalon’s TBI treatment centers and Warrior PATHH sites nationwide to enhance their reputation and amplify their services. Over the next five years, Avalon aims to grow existing programs, and network sites focused on life-changing care for veterans, first responders, and their families.

Core Programs:

Traumatic Brain Injury

Avalon’s network of seven TBI medical centers nationwide provides integrated and interdisciplinary care for veterans and first responders struggling with mild-to-moderate TBI’s (including concussion) and changes in psychological health. They emphasize detailed evaluation and treatment, working to relieve symptoms by addressing the root causes. With a collaborative approach to care, their intensive outpatient program (IOP) combines the best tools in traditional rehabilitation with complementary medicines so our nation’s defenders can heal. The impact of this program can easily be measured by Avalon’s TBI Outcomes (e.g., 329 patient evaluations, 193 intensive outpatient programs, 282 families participated in care, and 99% of patients reported improvement on the Patient Global Impression of Change scale (MIBH & SHARE).

Posttraumatic Growth

Warrior PATHH is the first-ever program that cultivates posttraumatic growth (PTG). Warrior PATHH care sites nationwide provide intensive training through peer-led programming that ensures veterans and first responders suffering from PTS can lead the lives they deserve. Success in this program can be measured by PTG Outcomes (e.g., 105 Warrior PATHH programs delivered, 746 Warrior PATHH students served, 54% reduction in PTS symptoms, and 52% reduction in depression symptoms).

Struggle Well brings PTG into the military, veteran, and first responder communities through Avalon’s intensive one, two, and five-day training programs.

Key Responsibilities

As Avalon Action Alliance capitalizes on its existing strengths while expanding its overall impact and reach, the Vice President, Marketing & Communications will play a critical role in increasing its visibility to ensure that its image and brand are consistent with its reputation as the leading wellness nonprofit for veterans, first responders, and their families. In doing so, the Vice President will be charged with developing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive marketing and communications program to support Avalon's overarching mission and vision.

In this highly visible role, the Vice President will develop and deploy a strategically integrated set of marketing and communication activities across multiple delivery platforms highlighting Avalon’s impact and philanthropic programs and services. Such activities include advertising, printed materials and publications, online presence, and events and sponsorships. The VP of MarComms works closely with the respective staff on strategy and content.

The primary responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to:

• Maintaining highly productive relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., leadership, staff, external partners) on effective marketing and communications strategies.
• Partnering with the CEO and other staff to develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year marketing and communications strategy for building Avalon’s brand. The strategy should be rooted in the 10-year growth plan with clear deliverables.
• Providing expert counsel and cultivating awareness bolstering Avalon’s brand and reputation of excellence through marketing and communications efforts.
• Safeguarding and protecting the Avalon brand through carefully articulated and enforced protocols for use of Avalon’s name, logo and taglines, and related symbols by grantees and other external entities.
• Closely coordinating efforts with key Avalon partners to ensure consistent, coordinated, and compelling messaging.
• Collaborating with the CEO and staff to develop an “elevator speech” and key talking points on the Avalon brand and value proposition.
• Demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, and as well as fostering a welcoming environment with a strong sense of belonging.
• Creating an active social media presence through forums like Podcasts, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to tell the Avalon story and expand the Alliance’s reach to a broader audience.
• Overseeing the production of all print and digital collateral materials for Avalon, including the annual report, which is intended as a “coffee table” piece in high-quality, printed format for a select donor audience and development cultivation.
• Developing and maintaining a crisis management plan for addressing reputational risks or threats to Avalon.
• Serving as the principal staff advisor to the CEO on national, state, and regional issues that could have a bearing on Avalon’s work, drafting, if need be, public statements and positions.
• Contributing to the overall enhancement of the image and visibility of Avalon at the local and national levels promoting Avalon’s impact and philanthropic services.
• Cultivating a trusted relationship with the media, pitching story ideas, issuing news releases, and coordinating media inquiries.
• Serving as the subject matter expert on branding, marketing, and communications, providing sound advice and counsel to all Avalon staff.
• Developing and maintaining a current, state-of-the-art website that is user-friendly for Avalon’s multiple stakeholders and complies with accessibility standards and best practices for people with disabilities.
• Providing strategic oversight to the day-to-day operations of Marketing and Communications, ensuring that the area delivers high-quality services and effectively deploys resources.
• Ensuring that Avalon adheres to an integrated marketing and communications strategy reflective of best practices for a 501c3.
• Playing a key role in Avalon’s annual planning process, with a strategic focus on representing the interests of Marketing and Communications in budget development and setting annual priority actions.

Professional Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of creative Marcomms program development and implementation and can balance the overarching strategy with day-to-day execution. Success in this role will be measured by proactive leadership, outstanding communication, and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Other desired qualifications and leadership characteristics include:

• Proven commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are foundational values for Avalon Action Alliance.
• Excellent computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft 365 and relational database management/CRMs.
• In-depth understanding of best print, broadcast, and online media usage coupled with strong editing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues in a small, fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional written and oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills coupled with effectively engaging with leadership, staff, and external stakeholders.
• A master storyteller with exceptional writing, editing, and digital media skills for diverse audiences and purposes.
• Veteran or military experience is a plus.
• Ideally, candidates will bring a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing and communications.
• Detail-oriented and strong organizational and analytical skills along with the ability to demonstrate initiative, tact, diplomacy, and creativity.
• Proven ability to maintain strict confidentiality, be the consummate professional, and consistently use good judgment.

Application Process

Candidate nominations and interested and qualified candidates are welcome to submit a resume and cover letter to: [email protected]

SE Number: 510609123