VP of Communications & Public Affairs

Envision Consulting•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Help Group is a nonprofit organization serving children, adolescents, adults, and families across Los Angeles through education, clinical and therapeutic services, recreation, vocational pathways, residential living, community support, and lifelong learning. The organization supports people with diverse learning, behavioral, emotional, developmental, and mental health needs. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs will provide strategic leadership for Help Group’s marketing, communications, public relations, and community engagement efforts. The VP will assess current strategies, systems, and team capabilities, then develop and execute a comprehensive plan to strengthen organizational visibility, elevate Help Group’s public profile, and ensure high-quality, consistent communications across programs and campuses. The role works closely with executive leadership, program teams, and external partners and oversees brand management, media relations, community partnerships, and non-fundraising events, including continued implementation of the organization’s recent rebrand. The VP will lead the marketing, communications, and community engagement team, set priorities, improve coordination, and foster accountability and excellence. The position is based in Los Angeles and requires in-office work five days per week, regular travel among Help Group campuses and community locations, and occasional evening and weekend events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, public affairs, nonprofit management, business, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public relations, external affairs, or a related field, including at least 5 years of leadership experience.
Demonstrated success developing and executing comprehensive communications, marketing, or external engagement strategies.
Experience assessing teams, systems, and processes and implementing improvements that strengthen organizational performance.
Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary teams while setting clear priorities, expectations, and accountability.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including success managing complex initiatives, multiple stakeholders, and competing deadlines.
Experience overseeing brand management, integrated marketing campaigns, digital communications, and public relations activities.
Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with strong attention to detail and sound judgment.
Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on leadership and effective execution in a dynamic environment.
Commitment to Help Group’s mission and respectful, inclusive engagement with neurodivergent individuals, people with disabilities, families, and community partners.
Ability to work in the Los Angeles office five days per week, travel regularly among campuses and community locations, and attend occasional evening and weekend events.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in communications, marketing, public affairs, nonprofit management, business, or a related field.
Experience in nonprofit organizations, human services, behavioral health, special education, disability services, or related sectors.
Familiarity with the Los Angeles civic, nonprofit, media, and community landscape.
Experience overseeing organizational rebranding, including implementation across multiple facilities or locations.
Experience collaborating with external public relations firms and managing media relations, executive positioning, or reputation management.
Established relationships with Los Angeles-area community organizations, public agencies, civic leaders, or other strategic partners.
Experience leading organizational change, strengthening team operations, and developing effective project management and accountability systems.

Responsibilities

Assess existing communications, marketing, and external affairs functions to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and external affairs strategy aligned with Help Group’s mission, priorities, and growth objectives.
Translate strategic priorities into plans with clear goals, timelines, responsibilities, and performance measures.
Advise the CEO and executive leadership on organizational visibility, brand positioning, reputation management, and external engagement.
Establish systems and processes that improve coordination, communication, accountability, and execution across departments and campuses.
Provide strategic oversight of marketing, digital communications, social media, website management, content development, and creative services.
Lead continued implementation of Help Group’s rebrand and ensure consistent visual identity, signage, and brand representation across facilities and campuses.
Develop integrated marketing and communications campaigns that increase awareness of programs, services, and community impact.
Lead public relations and reputation management, coordinating with the external PR firm on media outreach, executive visibility, and thought leadership.
Establish standards for brand consistency, editorial quality, accessibility, and timely delivery of communications materials.
Use marketing analytics, audience engagement, and campaign performance data to evaluate effectiveness and inform strategy.
Guide staff responsible for relationships with elected officials, public agencies, school districts, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Supervise and support staff representing Help Group at community meetings, public events, sector convenings, and other external forums.
Identify strategic partnership, public engagement, and collaboration opportunities that advance organizational priorities and awareness of Help Group’s programs.
Collaborate with Development to coordinate external relationships while maintaining clear responsibility for fundraising and sponsorship activities.
Provide strategic oversight of non-fundraising events, volunteer engagement, and community outreach initiatives.
Set goals, priorities, budgets, timelines, and success measures for community events and engagement activities.
Oversee the events and community engagement function and guide effective planning, coordination, and execution.
Identify opportunities to increase community participation, strengthen relationships, and promote programs through events and partnerships.
Evaluate event and community engagement outcomes to improve effectiveness, visibility, and use of resources.
Lead, mentor, and develop marketing, communications, and community engagement staff, fostering a collaborative, organized, results-oriented team culture.
Manage departmental budgets, external vendors, consultants, and agency relationships, aligning resources with strategic priorities.
Collaborate across departments to manage competing priorities, resolve challenges, and execute organization-wide initiatives.