Chief Marketing & Public Affairs Officer

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

First Things First (Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board) is an essential leader and partner in creating a family-centered, equitable, high-quality early childhood system that supports the development, well-being, health and early education of all Arizona’s children, birth to age 5. Created by voter initiative in 2006, First Things First is governed by a state Board with 28 regional partnership councils. First Things First is a decentralized organization that engages diverse constituencies to accomplish its mission. Organizational values include a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; a focus on accountability, transparency, coordination and collaboration; and an emphasis on improving outcomes that will ensure young children start kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed in school and in life. The Chief Marketing & Public Affairs Officer reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team of First Things First. In this role, this person is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the Strategic Initiatives, Marketing Communications and Public Information teams, leading the development and implementation of strategic long-range plans that promote FTF’s vision and mission and advance the early childhood system in Arizona. The Chief Marketing & Public Affairs Officer will enthusiastically support the vision and mission of First Things First and possess the personal qualities of integrity and credibility. They will be a seasoned executive with demonstrated leadership experience in inspiring and motivating staff. They will have the proven ability to work collaboratively within teams, both internally and externally, to accomplish multiple tasks and keep multiple projects organized and progressing. The Chief Marketing & Public Affairs Officer must have exceptionally strong implementation experience and strategic thinking skills with a proven track record of effectively aligning, leveraging, and expanding existing resources. They must be able to build and strengthen strategic partnerships with diverse constituencies, organizations, teams, and agencies and ensure work is conducted with sensitivity to cultural, political, and social contexts. They must have a strong attention to detail and the ability to understand and analyze complex information and effectively present that information, both orally and in writing, to a diverse population. The Chief Marketing & Strategic Initiatives Officer is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the Strategic Initiatives, Marketing and Communications, and Public Information teams. A high degree of collaboration with internal teams, particularly Government Affairs, is required to be successful in the role. This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, political science, communications, or bachelor's degree and equivalent work experience.
Demonstrate leadership in managing teams that implement strategic marketing, communications or public awareness initiatives showing ability to analyze data and lead agency relationships that ensure alignment with overall marketing strategy.
Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing and developing strong community and business relationships and/or communications initiatives to advance an organization's mission and goals, with a proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that align with business objectives and drive growth in key market segments.
Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output.
Expertise in managing remote statewide teams that promote a growth mindset. Ability to motivate teams to advance the brand of First Things First with community, business, parent and business audiences.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; particularly adept in public speaking and presentations. Ability to distill complex issues and convey a compelling story in a clear, concise manner in individual, group and conference settings.
Knowledge of the role of the public and private sector in contributing to the early childhood system-building work of the agency.
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Responsibilities

Participate as a contributing member of the leadership team, working collaboratively across departments to achieve the agency’s mission, goals and values.
Work collaboratively with the Board and Executive Leadership Team to develop and implement a future-focused strategic plan for supporting statewide and regional partnerships in funding well-coordinated, high-quality, evidence-based or informed activities that achieve measurable results for children birth to 5 that advance awareness of First Things First to a variety of audiences.
Direct the effective development, implementation, and growth of existing and emerging statewide initiatives to support the strategic plan.
Lead, inspire and motivate the staff to accomplish the department’s goals.
Supervise staff effectively and maintain a positive team environment, ensuring staff coordinate their work to foster an aligned approach, group learning, and efficiencies.
Develop and manage departmental and project budgets.
Establish a collaborative relationship with other State agencies, regional councils, community partners, grantees, and other outside stakeholders to advance the work of First Things First and the ECE efforts in Arizona.
Prepare Board materials and conduct Board presentations.
Performs duties in a manner that supports the First Things First internal culture and mission with respect and cooperation.
Serve as a partner to the Chief Executive Officer in audience expansion and community relations efforts statewide.