POSITION  DESCRIPTION  DIRECTOR  OF  STRATEGIC  COMMUNICATIONS  –  NoVo  FOUNDATION  

New  York,  NY  –  June  6,  2014  

 

The  Foundation  

NoVo  Foundation  acts  from  the  original  meaning  of  ‘philanthropy’:  the  love  of  humanity.  The  Foundation  is  dedicated  to  catalyzing  a  global  social  transformation,  away  from  current  cultures  of  domination  and  their  reliance  on  hierarchy,  violence  and  the  subordination  of  girls  and  women.  

NoVo  believes  a  new  code  of  behavior  is  possible,  where  we  are  all  linked  and  not  ranked.  They  envision  a  balanced  world  that’s  governed  by  principles  of  mutual  respect,  collaboration  and  civic  participation,  and  that  their  contribution  is  to  help  create  the  conditions  for  that  new  code  to  arise,  and  inspire  others  to  join  them.  They  seek  pivot  points  in  society  –  such  as  adolescent  girls  and  local  economies  –  where  support  and  resources  can  have  long-­‐lasting  and  wide-­‐ranging  positive  impact.  They  see  violence  against  girls  and  women  as  a  fundamental  enforcer  of  oppression,  and  work  to  eradicate  its  presence.  

The  scale  of  these  ambitions  guides  their  investment  strategies.  Theirs  is  both  risk  capital  and  patient  capital;  experimentation  and  new  thinking  are  critical  paths  forward.  Seeing  the  world  as  it  is,  and  as  it  could  be,  inspires  their  voice.  Through  all  of  their  activities,  they  illuminate  the  possibility  of  a  new  paradigm,  gather  evidence  of  its  existence  and  establish  pathways  for  its  manifestation.  As  their  website  states,  they  “are  humbled  and  honored  to  contribute  to  building  a  world  based  on  peace,  compassion,  justice  and  love.”  

Jennifer  and  Peter  Buffett  are  the  co-­‐presidents  of  the  Foundation  and  have  articulated  the  vision  and  values  that  guide  its  work.    

For  further  details  about  the  mission  and  vision  of  the  NoVo  Foundation  please  visit  www.novofoundation.org.  

 

The  Position  

The  Director  of  Strategic  Communications  is  a  new  position.      

NoVo  is  a  young  foundation  with  big  dreams.  After  seven  years  learning  about  –  and  living  -­‐-­‐  its  potential  contribution,  it  is  moving  into  a  new  chapter.  Every  NoVo  team  member  supports  its  central  goal:  to  provoke  and  inspire  others  to  join  in  creating  conditions  for  a  new  code  of  human  behavior.  In  this  newly  created  role,  you  will  ensure  that  NoVo’s  collective  activities  deliver  impact  against  that  vision.  

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The  position  will  focus  on  how  all  expressions  of  NoVo  and  its  work  –  from  logos,  taglines  and  websites  to  media  coverage,  speaking  platforms,  partnerships  and  initiative  work  –  are  delivering  against  NoVo’s  goals.    

In  the  non-­‐profit  world,  you’d  be  a  strategic  communicator/social  marketer.  In  the  commercial  world,  you’d  be  a  marketing  director.  Regardless  of  the  label:  you  understand  the  power  and  potential  of  all  modes  of  communication,  and  have  proven  success  in  deploying  them.  

You  will  report  to  the  Foundation’s  Executive  Director,  and  will  build  the  communications  function  from  scratch,  through  both  internal  and  external  contributors.  As  a  team-­‐wide  resource,  you  will  also  drive  internal  clarity  and  cohesion,  while  guiding  institutional  memory.  

The  first  and  most  important  job  is  to  absorb  NoVo’s  work  and  culture.  Strategically,  you  will  help  the  team  land  communication  strategy  and  priorities  internally.  You  will  help  shape  concrete  actions  from  NoVo’s  abstract  aspirations,  during  this  dynamic  moment  in  the  Foundation’s  history.  Tactically,  you  will  understand  NoVo’s  voice  and  vision,  and  refine  it  for  specific  opportunities.  You  will  be  responsible  for  ensuring  all  external  communications  contributors  hold  that  same  knowledge  and  continuity.  

Once  you  deeply  understand  NoVo’s  work,  you  will  define  and  execute  a  communications  impact  plan  that:    

! Leverages  all  elements  of  NoVo’s  funder-­‐catalyst  role  –  including  the  Foundation’s  profile,  advocacy  platforms,  initiatives  and  investments,  and  key  partnerships  -­‐-­‐  against  short-­‐  and  long-­‐term  goals;    

! Enables  proactive  work:  identifies  opportunities  and  audiences  to  drive  an  ongoing  conversation  around  this  vision  of  change;    

! Seizes  opportunity:  plans  and  coordinates  the  response  when  impactful  opportunities  arise;        

! Continually  takes  risks  and  fosters  innovation,  gaining  and  applying  learnings  from  both  victories  and  stumbles.  

 

 

   

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Key  Responsibilities  

Establish  strategy:  

! Sharpen  the  articulation  of  NoVo’s  vision  and  work,  connecting  NoVo’s  highest-­‐level  ambitions  with  tangible  actions,  in  clear,  powerful  language.    

! Create  NoVo-­‐wide  communications  strategies:  drive  and  facilitate  collaborative  processes  with  the  Foundation’s  executive  team,  staff  and  partners,  to  define  the  communication  and  brand  strategies  that  will  deliver  NoVo’s  vision,  in  both  the  short-­‐  and  long-­‐term.    

! Guide  strategic  communication  opportunities  within  NoVo’s  initiative  areas  and  teams,  including  movement  building  and  leverage  of  NoVo’s  voice,  and  ensuring  strategic  integration  and  executional  excellence.    

! Inspire  NoVo’s  team  and  partners,  through  coaching,  tools  and  practices  that  provide  internal  clarity,  promote  cohesion,  deepen  the  Foundation’s  institutional  memory  and  ensure  continuity  in  messaging.  

 

Drive  execution:  

! Steward  creative  processes:  create  internal  and  external  feedback  loops  that  are  respectful,  productive  and  efficient.      

! Build  and  lead  a  vibrant,  virtual  communications  function  to  execute  the  plan,  primarily  through  external  contributors  and  supported  by  a  small  number  of  staff  roles.  This  team  includes  contributors  housed  within  the  initiative  teams,  and  will  expand  and  contract  according  to  tactical  need.    

! Recruit,  on-­‐board  and  manage  relationships  with  communications  and  branding  contributors  (including  writers,  designers,  researchers,  printers,  photographers,  producers,  videographers,  illustrators,  PR  and  media  relations)  to  ensure  results  are  achieved  on  point,  on  time  and  on  budget.    

! Drive  outstanding  execution  of  communications  and  brand  strategies  for  all  relevant  audiences,  from  the  Foundation’s  closest  partners  to  new  collaborators,  from  the  field  at  large  to  initiative-­‐specific  communities,  from  NoVo’s  staff  to  its  Board.      

! Drive  outstanding  execution  of  strategies  across  all  relevant  channels  of  communication,  including  speeches,  articles,  social  and  digital  media,  press  releases  and  outreach,  written  

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correspondence,  talking  points,  annual  reports,  event  design  and  production,  and  video.    

! Represent  NoVo’s  vision  and  work  to  external  audiences,  including  communities  of  communications  practice  and  social  innovation  design.  

 

Qualifications  

We  are  seeking  candidates  with  the  following  qualifications:  

Core  Qualifications  

! Demonstrated  commitment  to  NoVo’s  mission  and  an  alignment  with  the  Foundation’s  values.  

! Ten  to  fifteen  years  experience  in  an  innovation-­‐oriented  marketing  or  communications  role,  for  either  for-­‐  or  non-­‐profit  organizations.  Progressive  experience,  from  execution  to  strategy  to  management,  is  desired.  

! Minimum  seven  years  leading  and  managing  a  communications  function.  ! BA  or  BS  in  relevant  field.    

Additional  Attributes  

NoVo  is  a  small  team,  and  chemistry  is  incredibly  important.  Here  are  attributes  that  define  NoVo’s  staff:  

! You  have  a  proven  track  record  in  all  responsibilities  of  the  role.  ! You  are  authentic  and  honest,  and  actively  foster  others’  authenticity  and  honesty.  ! You  are  highly  collaborative,  flexible  with  your  time,  responsive,  positive  and  kind.  ! You  demand  creativity,  out-­‐of-­‐the-­‐box  thinking,  risk-­‐taking,  thinking  with  gut  and  intuition,  

and  learning  from  mistakes.  ! You  deliver  high  standards  of  execution,  drive  to  results  amid  ambiguity,  and  can  operate  

with  a  small  number  of  staff  roles.  ! You  are  grounded  in  the  experiences  and  work  of  NoVo’s  grantee  partners  –  the  actual  work  

on  the  ground  –  and  find  the  source  of  your  passion  there.  ! You  have  exceptional  communications  skills,  in  writing,  conversation  and  presenting.  ! A  wise  man  once  said:  This  work  is  too  important  to  take  seriously.  Good  thing  you’ve  got  a  

sense  of  humor!    

 

 

 

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Compensation  and  Culture  

NoVo  offers  relocation,  competitive  salaries,  excellent  benefits,  generous  vacation,  and  a  pleasant  working  environment.  The  Foundation  employs  a  small  staff  and  is  dedicated  to  promoting  an  environment  of  collaboration  and  workplace  flexibility.  

NoVo  deeply  values  diversity  and  is  committed  to  the  recruitment  and  retention  of  individuals  of  underrepresented  backgrounds,  including  gender,  race,  religion,  and  sexual  orientation.  

 

Application  Process      Interested  applicants  should  send  a  resume,  cover  letter  and  salary  information  by  email  to:      Martha  Montag  Brown  &  Associates    www.marthamontagbrown.com  Email:  Martha@marthamontagbrown.com    Phone:    818.790.8873