Chief External Relations Officer

About the role

The Chief External Relations Officer (CERO) at Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of external relations strategies to maintain a strong public image of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Leads Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity’s external communications, partnerships, policy advocacy, and fundraising efforts to enhance organizational visibility, public perception, influence, strategic impact, strengthens public trust and addresses community concerns.

• Collaborates with the executive leadership team to support overall business strategies and objectives.

• Aligns external engagement with strategic objectives by expanding impact, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and navigating external environments effectively.

• Oversees efforts to guide and execute a marketing plan for all branding strategies to promote and enhance Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity’s message to key audiences while ensuring consistent messaging.

• Actively pursues opportunities to increase Habitat’s brand awareness and impact and manage public engagement-driven projects.

• Collaborates with internal departments to align external relation efforts, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), and organizational goals.

• Responsible for public relations, marketing materials, and local media relations.

• In conjunction with the CEO, establishes annual development strategies to support general operations and oversees the planning and execution of special fundraising initiatives, such as campaigns to raise dollars for capital, programmatic and endowment programs.

• Creates an annual strategy to promote and increase the organization’s support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources.

• Optimizes the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individuals, corporations, and foundations.

• Led and manages all aspects of the fundraising program, including major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, capital campaigns, special events, and grant writing.

• Develops and implements a donor-centered fundraising approach that builds strong relationships with donors, emphasizes the organization’s mission and impact, and encourages donor engagement and investment.

• Assures organizational compliance with generally accepted fundraising principles, financial reporting requirements, and ethical codes of professional conduct.

• Directs activities related to the identification of potential donors, developing relationships and acquiring valuable donations and/or professional services from current and future gift-in-kind donors on behalf of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity.

• Provides detailed fundraising progress reports to the CEO and Board.

• Builds and maintains relationships on behalf of the organization, connecting others to the mission of Greater Cleveland Habitat and educating the public to enhance fundraising efforts.

• Oversees community relations activities related to the planning, organizing, managing of all aspects of special events, developing, and maintaining community partnerships and sponsoring and supporting community events.

• Develops comprehensive government affairs strategies, advocacy, action plans, as well as partner engagement.

• Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for partnerships and collaborations with government entities.

• Provides guidance over strategic advocacy efforts and the cultivation of positive relationships with elected officials, public entities, and quasi-public stakeholders.

• Represents the organization at public meetings, industry conferences, and stakeholder events.

• Collects, analyzes, evaluates data to ensure the effectiveness of initiatives.

• Participates in the annual orientation of new board members.

• Directly supervises and supports the development, gift-in-kind, government affairs, marketing, special events, and volunteer teams to ensure the optimization of each team member.

• Hires, trains, coaches, mentors, and supervises the activities of direct reports.

• Evaluates staff performance.

• Holds direct reports accountable for meeting objectives by ensuring that performance aligns with expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, or related field of study.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of external-facing leadership-level experience, including a combination of development, fundraising, marketing, public relations, government affairs, strategic planning and communications, and community engagement.
• Minimum of three (3) years of strong management and/or team leadership experience, including hiring, training, coaching, performance management, and disciplinary action.
• Previous experience in a nonprofit setting.
• A demonstrated passion for the organization’s mission and fundraising, with a deep understanding of and commitment to the values and principles of the nonprofit sector.
• Prior experience in public speaking and the ability to represent the organization to a variety of stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and partner organizations.
• Strong communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, relationship management, and collaboration skills.
• Prior experience in grant writing programs and securing funding from a variety of sources, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, with a track record of achieving fundraising goals.
• Ability to create strategic multiyear strategies while building consensus among stakeholders to achieve organizational goals.
• Familiarity with current nonprofit marketing and fundraising practices.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver against deadlines while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Flexibility necessary to adapt, respond, and meet the needs of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to develop positive, productive professional relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Customer service commitment, interpersonal skills in working with colleagues and external constituents.
• Ability to succeed and thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and judgment.
• Ability to maintain effective cross-sector communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge for Windows system.
• Commitment to Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity’s mission and the principles of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).
• Must possess reliable transportation and a current Ohio driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record and ability to be insurable under commercial insurance.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in relevant field of study.
• Ten years of demonstrated experience in external affairs.
• A certificate in fundraising management or CFRE designation is an asset.