Senior Vice President of Community Relations

ServiceNet•Northampton, MA

6d•$125,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Vice President of Community Relations is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team. Responsible for strengthening the organization’s relationships with elected officials, public sector partners, the media, and community organizations across the four counties of western Massachusetts, this leader represents the mission and priorities of ServiceNet and River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC) to external stakeholders—ensuring that our voice is heard in state and regional policy conversations—and works to enhance our visibility and impact in the communities we serve. In turn, this leader relays external stakeholders’ interests and priorities to the rest of the senior team for consideration in present and future planning efforts. The Senior Vice President further oversees the work of the Communications & Development team, helping to ensure that messaging, outreach, fundraising, and other community engagement efforts reflect the organization’s values and strategic priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, communications, political science, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 10 years’ leadership experience in government relations, high profile public affairs, and community engagement—ideally within the non-profit health and human services sector.
Established relationships or experience working with municipal and state officials in Massachusetts, strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success in legislative advocacy, coalition-building, and strategic communications.
Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, including writing and public speaking.
Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, navigate complex stakeholder networks, and represent an organization with professionalism and integrity.

Nice To Haves

advanced degree preferred

Responsibilities

Develop, coordinate, and implement the organization’s government relations strategy in alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
Build and sustain strategic relationships with municipal, state, and federal officials, including mayors and town managers, state senators, and state representatives across Western Massachusetts, as well as with area office staff for our federal delegation.
Collaborate with statewide and regional trade associations and advocacy coalitions to advance legislation that supports the mission and priorities of ServiceNet and RVCC.
Monitor and advocate for legislation, state funding opportunities, and policy that affect mental health and human services – specifically the programs and services provided by ServiceNet and RVCC.
Prepare policy briefs, testimony, and communications to inform and influence decisionmakers on key issues affecting the agency and the people it serves.
Act as the primary liaison between ServiceNet, RVCC, and key community stakeholders, including chambers of commerce, law enforcement agencies, non-profit partners, advocacy organizations, and civic leaders.
Lead efforts to strengthen the organization’s visibility, credibility, and engagement across the four counties of Western Massachusetts.
Partner with the full Leadership Council to foster a lively culture of community engagement and relationship-building: through active participation on area boards, councils, coalitions, and pop-up volunteer initiatives.
Represent ServiceNet and RVCC at community events and through regional initiatives to advance collaboration and shared goals.
Provide conflict management oversight of neighbor relations issues that involve, or could potentially involve, local and/or regional officials.
Work in partnership with the CEO and Sr. Director of Communications & Development to coordinate crisis communications and other high-stake media responses.
Ensure that the team’s external communication strategies (media relations, public awareness campaigns, and fundraising initiatives) align with overall organizational goals while promoting the mission and reputation of ServiceNet and RVCC.
Ensure consistent, effective, and mission-aligned communications across all platforms and stakeholder groups.