Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs

Pivotal Ventures•Kirkland, WA

66d•Onsite

About The Position

Founded in 2015 by Melinda French Gates, Pivotal expands opportunity and equality for all people through high-impact investments, philanthropy, and advocacy. We accelerate social progress by removing barriers that hold people back. Our impatience with the status quo is fueled by an optimism that progress is always possible. Inspired by our founder, we reach across communities and sectors to bring together changemakers who can scale up proven ideas and catalyze new ones. We learn from their experiences, amplify their resources, then step back so they can lead. We strive to be creative and innovative in our work and flexible in the approach we take to solving problems. The Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs works across multiple entities within the Pivotal ecosystem and leads the voice, media relations, and reputation strategy for the Pivotal ecosystem. This role is responsible for all external written content, crisis response, and risk management. This position manages communications strategies for Pivotal and its Principals and is responsible for the Principal’s digital channels. This individual leads a team of in-house professionals and oversees agency partner(s) across these disciplines, serving as accountable for all facets of this work. This individual collaborates closely with internal teams across multiple entities and external partners. This individual cultivates a direct, trusted advisory relationship with the Principal, guiding communications, media relations, and digital strategy across a range of engagements.

Requirements

Minimum 15 years of experience in the Communications field (public or private sector) or a related subject area, or an equivalent combination of advanced training and experience.
Minimum 10 years leading others, with demonstrated commitment to staff development and experience fostering equity and belonging within a team.
Demonstrated leadership managing diverse communications teams and overseeing external agencies and creative talent.
Experience working with high-profile and influential public figures.
Proven ability to speak candidly and persuasively, always with empathy for the Principal’s needs and perspectives.
Experience in reputation management and in developing and implementing successful multi-media communications strategies.
Systems thinker who can identify connections between strategies, projects, and opportunities.
Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information succinctly for diverse audiences.
Ability to present ideas with brevity, clarity, and conviction.
Deep understanding of how to leverage the full range of communications tools to drive impact at scale.
Proficiency using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and SharePoint).
Fluency in use of systems necessary to role (e.g., Salesforce, Workday).
Willingness and ability to travel as needed.

Nice To Haves

Ability to draw connections across disparate data points and opportunities, provide leadership in vision development, and implement multiple strategies to realize that vision.
Knowledge of the broader eco-system of philanthropy and the gender community, including up-to-date awareness of platforms, thought leaders, peers, and communities.
Experience and comfort with public speaking and engaging a wide range of audiences.

Responsibilities

Set direction and be responsible for the execution of the Principal’s communications strategy, guiding teams responsible for: Core narrative and key message development.
Speechwriting, op-eds, social content, and interview preparation.
Media interview and event management.
Staffing and prepping for events and travel.
Journalist and media relationship development.
Editorial planning across digital platforms and paid media.
Audience insights, measurement, and analytics.
Lead strategy for telling the story of the full Pivotal ecosystem.
Enable short-, medium-, and long-term communications goals in collaboration with the Communications & Public Affairs team.
Engage internal and external partners to learn, envision, and co-create communications opportunities across the Principal and Pivotal ecosystem.
Build strong cross-functional and external relationships, navigating a sophisticated partner landscape.
Serve as an internal and external ambassador of Pivotal’s mission, culture, and values.
Serve as a trusted senior advisor to the Principal.
Lead risk and crisis communications for the Principal and Pivotal, including real-time response to breaking news, platform shifts, and reputation management.
Develop strategies to capitalize on emerging communications opportunities, incorporating analytics and measurement.
Coach, staff, and manage the Principal’s high profile media engagements, and mentor other team members supporting the Principal.
Oversee, train, and mentor direct and indirect report(s), providing direction through clear expectations and regularly conducting check-ins and providing performance feedback while supporting individual development.
Interview, hire and onboard new team members.
Lead a team of communications professionals across speechwriting, earned media, messaging, rapid response, digital, content, thought leadership, research, measurement, and operations.
Ensure cross-functional alignment across the Pivotal ecosystem, including coordination between Principal, internal teams, and organizational goals.
Partner with the Vice President, Impact Communications & Creative Strategy to align shared services (e.g., Writing/Media housed in Communications & Public Affairs; Creative Studio in Impact Communications) toward unified goals.
Model and support equity and belonging as core values of the team, consistent with organizational values and legal requirements.
Position the function as a strategic, collaborative partner across the organization.
Foster a culture of inclusivity and accountability across the Communications & Public Affairs team and its partners.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.