Social Secretary

Blue Star Families•Washington, DC

10d•$165,000 - $195,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Social Secretary is Blue Star Families’ senior-most steward of relationships with influential people whose trust, attention, and resources advance the organization’s mission. This is a relationship- and reputation-focused executive role, using events and experiences as tools to deepen trust, visibility, and philanthropic investment. The Social Secretary advises the CEO on protocol, official hospitality, and external engagement; contributes to the CEO’s social and official calendar; hosts on behalf of the CEO, senior leaders, board members, and the organization; and oversees invitations, official correspondence, gifts, and honors. The role leads a coordinated program of national events, bespoke experiences, and personal stewardship. It manages a portfolio of key relationships, sets protocol standards, oversees flagship events and smaller high-intimacy engagements, and serves as the primary staff relationship for the National Advisory Board. The Social Secretary serves on the senior leadership team, advises the CRO, CEO, President, and Board, and leads and develops department staff. The position is identified as hybrid within the Washington, D.C. Metro area, while the description also states that it is in-person in the Washington, DC office and requires regular participation in gatherings. Overnight travel several times per year is required, and nights, weekends, and holidays may be required as necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 10 years of progressively senior experience in protocol, official hospitality, events, or stakeholder engagement, managing relationships with and events for high-profile individuals.
Senior experience in at least one of the following areas, or an equivalent combination: a White House social office; an embassy or Chief of Protocol office; a military service social aide or protocol program; a cabinet department; a governor’s or mayor’s office; senior development or major-gifts leadership at a large nonprofit, university, or cultural institution with direct responsibility for high-net-worth or high-profile relationships; or senior leadership in luxury hospitality, high-level event production, or membership/stewardship serving a similarly elite clientele.
At least 5 years of senior leadership experience, including leading a department and managing managers.
Expert knowledge of protocol, precedence, and etiquette for VIP, government, and military guests.
Proven success leading high-profile events.
Excellent written communication skills, including formal correspondence.
Executive presence, sound judgment, and discretion with confidential information.
Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and accountability and to give and receive candid feedback, including with senior executives and Board members.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to translate complex campaign strategy into clear materials for executives and Board members.
Ability to travel overnight several times per year for donor meetings and organizational gatherings.
May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary to carry out key job functions.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a nonprofit, military, government, or diplomatic setting.
Familiarity with the military- and Veteran-connected community.
Experience in a high-growth, performance-driven culture in the nonprofit or private sector.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain a disciplined moves-management system for important individual relationships, including business executives, military leaders, government leaders, and cultural figures.
Personally manage a portfolio of top organizational relationships in partnership with the CEO and development leadership, including pre-briefs, follow-up, and year-round touchpoints.
Serve as the organization’s point person on protocol, including forms of address, rank and precedence, seating, gifting, and etiquette for military, government, diplomatic, and corporate guests.
Contribute to the CEO’s social and official calendar by reviewing invitations, recommending whether to accept or decline, and coordinating attendance.
Host official functions on behalf of the CEO and organization; manage invitations, guest lists, seating plans, and order of precedence.
Oversee appropriate official correspondence on behalf of the CEO, including thank-you, condolence, and congratulatory letters, proclamations, and recognition.
Set protocol standards for forms of address, flag etiquette, military customs and honors, receiving lines, and ceremony order.
Prepare the CEO and senior leaders for key events with guest briefings, talking points, seating information, and run-of-show materials.
Manage gifts and honors given and received in accordance with organizational policy and ethics rules for government and military guests.
Anticipate and resolve protocol, political, and interpersonal sensitivities.
Set the vision and standards for flagship national events, ensuring they advance relationship and fundraising goals.
Approve the annual events calendar, department budget, and major contracts.
Oversee the Events team, including budgets, run-of-show, guest experience, and integration of VIP stewardship into event design.
Partner with Development on event-driven fundraising, including sponsorships, table sales, and asks.
Ensure events reflect the organization’s brand and are accessible and welcoming to guests.
Review event results and determine which events to grow, change, or retire based on mission impact, revenue, and cost.
Design and oversee smaller, high-intimacy engagements such as salon dinners, military installation visits, and briefings.
Curate guest lists, settings, and formats that foster genuine connection and insight into military family life.
Use bespoke experiences as cultivation and stewardship tools, coordinated with Development’s strategy for each individual.
Serve as the primary staff relationship for the National Advisory Board and design its engagement model, meetings, briefing materials, and member value proposition.
Guide the recruitment, engagement, and retention strategy for advisory board members, aligning their networks and influence with organizational priorities.
Activate National Advisory Board members as connectors and advocates in coordination with Development and the CEO’s office; support board meetings, retreats, and recognition events as needed.
Serve on the senior leadership team and advise the CRO, CEO, President, and Board on protocol, engagement, and reputation.
Report regularly to the CRO, CEO, and Board on event and engagement results.
Lead, coach, and develop department leaders and staff; set goals, provide feedback, and conduct annual performance reviews.
Manage workload across the event calendar and foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture while personally managing a portfolio of top relationships.
Perform other duties as assigned.