Oxfam America - Vice President, Public Engagement

ABOUT OXFAM AMERICA

Oxfam works together with more than 2,700 partner organizations, as well as allies in more than 80 countries. With 80 years of experience, we have learned what it takes to fight inequality and mobilize people and resources worldwide to make it happen. In 2021-22 Oxfam’s 21 global affiliates collectively reached 15.6 million people through our global programs. As an affiliate, Oxfam America (OUS) holds a critical responsibility for strategic and operational support and partnership with countries and regions where Oxfam works—and for US advocacy, fundraising, and domestic programming for the global confederation. OUS plays three roles in joint efforts with Oxfam country offices, affiliates, allies, and partners all over the world to deliver on our key pillars of our strategy:

ADVOCATE: We use our access to governments, corporations, multilateral institutions, and influencers to leverage change. Our advocacy is grounded in the priorities of partners and allies and in lived experience of communities paired with research and analysis. We mobilize our supporters to create change.

CONNECT: We use our reach and access to convene unlikely allies to negotiate differences and create new opportunities for change. We connect dots, analyzing trends to inform collective action. We connect US supporters to Oxfam’s global work so they can bring their resources—voices, money, and ideas—to bear.

AMPLIFY: We help the voices of people and communities experiencing marginalization be heard by the powerful and the public. We engage and support the agendas of our partners and allies with our capacities, expertise, and access.

We do not accept US government funding and instead build broad-based independent support.

Oxfam America | Vice President,

THE ROLE

VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Oxfam America is seeking a visionary and innovative marketing executive to lead Oxfam America’s Public Engagement team. A skilled, tech savvy advocate with a deep appreciation of digital media is needed to position Oxfam in the US and globally. The Vice President Public Engagement, will have a successful track record in increasing engagement of media, donors and activists. Highly collaborative, the new VP will have built and supported multi-disciplinary teams delivering high impact, audiencecentric communications, fundraising and campaigns. This role requires an activist mindset and a steadfast commitment to addressing social injustice and inequality.

LOCATION: Boston, NYC or DC region preferred

SALARY: $200,000-240,000 USD with executive level benefits package

REPORTS TO: CEO/President Oxfam America

CLOSING DATE: December 12th

Oxfam America | Vice President, Public Engagement

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ROLE SUMMARY

Oxfam America is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. The VP Public Engagement is a mission critical role as a promoter and protector of the Oxfam brand, messaging, and constituent and media engagement during a period of seismic change where effective and evidence-based communication is key. A highly collaborative and strategic individual is needed to lead a division that drives creativity, innovation, supporter engagement and action for tangible results. The VP PE will empower staff to achieve ambitious goals, work collaboratively to deliver on Oxfam America’s strategy, and promote and support all inequality and poverty initiatives for the US market across Oxfam America and the entire global confederation.

The VP PE will bring strong political acumen, diplomacy, and humility to navigate organizational challenges for positive outcomes. They will be open, transparent, and comfortable with complexity and prioritization. They will be a proven leader who can thrive under pressure and has excellent judgment. As a culture-builder, they will be committed to principles of feminism and anti-racism.

The VP PE will be creative in distilling complex work into effective messaging, compelling storytelling, and public engagement strategies with Oxfam supporters. They will partner closely with their senior leadership counterparts to determine how best to channel resources to engage the public in support of Oxfam’s strategic priorities. They will bring thought and discipline to ensure organizational coherence, effectiveness and consistency to public facing, confederation-wide messaging.

With vision and proven management experience they will support staff who are juggling a high volume of work while providing rapid response to fast changing politics, humanitarian disasters, or racial and gender justice crises in the US. The VP PE will bring a track record of successful leadership working on multi-functional teams and balancing goals among brand, fundraising, and advocacy, especially in a matrixed international alliance or confederation environment. They have a contagious passion that translates into enthusiasm and collaboration with colleagues. The VP PE will be responsible for leading Oxfam US’ Public Engagement strategy, positioning, communications, digital campaigns, brand awareness, constituent and media engagement and overall operational effectiveness of Oxfam America’s public engagement functions in coordination with the confederation. They are accountable for all public messaging in the US and ensuring that audience insights are reflected into communications, marketing, and campaigning efforts across PE and across other public-facing teams including Resource Development and Campaigns.

They will collaborate with peers in the Oxfam confederation and represent Oxfam America in multiple Oxfam International initiatives.

Oxfam America | Vice President, Public Engagement

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic leadership to set, adapt and deliver Oxfam US Public Engagement strategy (and its brand, fundraising, and advocacy components) and assure strategic alignment of messaging to the US market.

• Direct, supervise and coordinate day-to-day oversight, operations, and budget management of the Public Engagement Division.

• Align US constituent engagement, marketing, and fundraising (primarily through Digital Marketing team efforts on email, paid media, web site) with VP Resource Development. This may include support for ongoing digital transformation and investment in the Digital Marketing team.

• Align US influencing and US messaging strategy and plans (with VP Policy and Advocacy and stakeholders).

• Develop and maintain knowledge of market insights, competition and market trends to inform brand building, fundraising, influencing, innovation and testing new approaches and technologies.

• Act as Oxfam America’s lead brand guardian and crisis communication lead including collaboration with Media & PR Director and peers within the global confederation. Work alongside the Executive Office (President/CEO, Chief of Staff, and Internal Comms Manager) to advise and on external and internal communications and representation.

• Represent Oxfam US as needed and in support of public engagement; guide and support other senior leaders in doing same.

• Review fundraising appeals and strategies, brand activities, and campaign messaging, for coherence with messaging strategy.

• Lead development of local story-telling efforts through Content team and project management and visual design coherence through Design team.

• Maintain high level relationships with key counterparts across the confederation.

• Represent Oxfam US on key OI working groups and committees.

• Interface with the OUS and OAAF Board. This includes staffing PE-related committees of the Board and serving as an officer of OAAF as requested. Update the Board on PE related matters regularly.

• Represent Oxfam US or Oxfam as needed on projects that are jointly conducted with others in our sector.

• Contribute strong strategic input to the Senior Leadership Team and support SLT shared goals fully.

America | Vice President, Public Engagement

CANDIDATE PROFILE

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or proven senior leadership experience in marketing, digital and communications related discipline, or exceptional relevant practical experience.

EXPERIENCE AND CORE COMPETENCIES:

• At least 10 years or equivalent demonstrated relevant and exceptional practical experience in senior leadership and management in two or more Public Engagement disciplines: Marketing, Communications/media, Digital, Branding, Supporter engagement.

• Relevant senior management and leadership experience in a complex and diverse environment, including: strategic planning, management and execution, facilitative and collaborative management and leadership of large, diverse, multidisciplinary teams through organizational change, budget development and financial management, with financial reporting and analysis capabilities.

• Demonstrated senior level people management skills including high level recruitment, organization development and transformation, retention, and leading empowered, directorlevel leaders in a matrix and a commitment to developing team members.

• A committed team player and proven collaborator with strong interpersonal skills and a kind disposition.

• Strong motivation and experience in fundraising and advocacy.

• Diplomacy and strong analytical capacity to bridge and deliver fundraising, influencing and brand goals.

• Curiosity about and engagement with all aspects of Public Engagement—fundraising, campaigns, private sector, etc. Deep commitment to racial justice, gender justice and feminist

principles in the workplace and as core to Oxfam’s mission to fight inequality to end poverty –the future is equal.

• Established skills and aptitudes that will lead to strengthening the Oxfam Ameria organizational culture, feminist principles and anti-racist journey.

• Broad communications experience across multiple channels and media types including with crisis communications.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.

• Proven track record in developing strategic communications and leading effective US and global influencing initiatives through a cross-functional team.

• Ability to engage other senior staff and lead the development of a new way of imagining and executing Oxfam America engagement with the public.

• Ability to manage and motivate teams working within -- and outside of -- the Public Engagement division.

• Ability to empower directors and managers to conduct the daily business of the organization freely and provide an enabling environment to test and innovate new approaches.

• Ability to represent Oxfam America Public Engagement to all relevant stakeholders in the confederation.

• Ability to represent Oxfam in high level public forums.

• Comfort, curiosity, and commitment to exploring emerging communications technologies.

• Willingness to take calculated risks and encourage others to do the same in pursuit of strong, long-term supporter engagement and influence.

• Well established, up-to-date professional network in global to local rights-based development, fundraising, brand and marketing, and supporter engagement and youth, digital and/or innovation networks.

• In our fast changing world a keen interest and demonstrated ability to learn core functional areas is essential for this role.

Oxfam America | Vice President, Public Engagement

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Oxfam America is an equal opportunity employer.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT OXFAM AMERICA

The driving force behind all of Oxfam America’s work is the core understanding that every person is important and should be able to live a life of dignity. Our staff is no exception to this. We strive to make our workplace one that allows all of our employees to feel respected and included. We celebrate the diversity of the people who make Oxfam America possible because we understand that different perspectives and influences will only make our organization more effective.

If you’re excited about this role and believe you have what it takes, but your skills and experience don’t align perfectly with every qualification in this profile, we encourage you to apply.

America

Vice President, Public Engagement

HOW TO APPLY

All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter in two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The documents should be saved in MS Word in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document NameDate (mmyy) e.g., PatJones-CV-102022-OxfamAmerica.

EQUALITY STATEMENT

Oxfam America is an equal opportunity employer; we strictly prohibit discrimination against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression and any other characteristic protected by law. Women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

TIMELINE

Closing Date: December 14th

Screening interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, so please apply early if you are interested in this role.

SELECTION PROCESS

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

ENQUIRIES AND HELP

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email at oxfamamerica-vp-public-engagement@oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.

America

Vice President,

ABOUT OXFORD HR

Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and environment and climate sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy.

Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our client.

Oxfam America | Vice President, Public Engagement