Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (PPCW) is hiring a Chief of External Affairs to join our Executive Leadership team.

When you work for Planned Parenthood, you make a difference in the lives of those we serve by affirming the human right to reproductive health care and freedom. Our mission is to provide, promote, and protect access to sexual and reproductive health care. PPCW is the largest non-profit family planning and reproductive rights organization in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

The Chief of External Affairs serves as a vital member of the PPCW Executive Leadership team, responsible for developing and implementing the external affairs strategy across Oregon and Southwest Washington. This role encompasses executive oversight of public policy, communications, marketing, education, and equity and inclusion (E&I), and includes a dotted-line supervisory structure to the Development Team, shared with the CEO. The Chief of External Affairs manages staff, budgets, and compliance in all program areas, working to ensure the success of the CEO, the organization, and PPCW’s mission by aligning external affairs strategy and functionality with organizational goals.
Compensation: $180,000 - $200,000 depending on experience.

Benefits:

• Up to 4 weeks of paid time off
• 9 paid holidays
• 403b retirement account with matching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage at no (or low) cost to the employee
• Ongoing professional development and continuing education opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits

Position Details: This is a non-represented, exempt position. The Chief of External Affairs will travel throughout Oregon, attending in-person meetings as requested. This role will require a combination of in-person work at our administrative offices in Northeast Portland, OR and remote work as needed, with flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public policy, public relations, communications, or another related field.
• 8-10 years of nonprofit/political campaigns and leadership/management experience of increasing responsibility including at least three (3) years’ experience in an executive leadership or similar position.
• Critical competencies include conceptual and critical thinking, strategic and effective communication, and adaptability and resourcefulness.
• Proven record of crisis communication skills, and ability to work within an ambiguous, fast- changing environment.
• Proven record of successful collaboration and partnership with external leaders, diverse communities, a multicultural workforce, and various constituents and entities.
• Experience working on issues affecting communities most impacted by health inequities, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, immigrants, refugees, people living in rural areas, and people with disabilities.
• Experience in project management and tracking legislation.
• Proven experience and success in developing donor relationships and securing major gifts.
• Ability to travel throughout Oregon as needed, attend in-person meetings as requested, work a combination of in-person and remote as the position requires, and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in reproductive health, health care, education, or related field.
• Relationships with local community leaders and elected officials.
• Knowledge of political landscape within Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Lived experience or a deep understanding of health inequities, racial injustice, reproductive justice, gender affirming care, and the impacts of the social determinants of health.

Essential Functions

External Affairs:

• Align the advocacy agenda and strategy with the Planned Parenthood C4 organization.
• Identify and influence state legislative and regulatory actions impacting PPCW.
• Develop and execute a proactive public policy agenda enhancing Planned Parenthood’s visibility, image, and influence in reproductive rights and other healthcare issues.
• Provide executive leadership for PPCW internally and externally, ensuring overall organizational success.
• Develop positions, formulate objectives, and communicate with PPFA and local affiliates.
• In addition to the CEO, serve as the primary spokesperson to legislators and coalition partners and advise the CEO on legislative and healthcare advocacy strategy.
• Identify opportunities and build strategic partnerships within the health and wider social-care system; with special focus on State and Federal Medicaid and reproductive health offices and coordinated and managed care organizations - to help ensure PPCW is a relevant and sustainable organization in the changing healthcare environment.
• Spearhead and participate in state and federation wide conversations and planning on the future of abortion access and healthcare.
• Collaborate with executive, clinical, operational, and financial leadership to develop and advocate policy positions and execute legislative and regulatory strategies.
• Conduct briefings, meetings, and forums for legislators, regulators, and their staff on Planned Parenthood issues.
• Maintain expertise on reproductive health-specific issues, including abortion provision, reproductive health policy, provider reimbursement, drug dispensing, medical provider networks, and reproductive health education.
• Establish and strengthen relationships with elected officials and ally organizations, providing timely and reliable information on issues.
• Update the affiliate on legislative and political issues.
• Develop strategic relationships with reproductive coalition partners, professional organizations, medical associations, thought leaders, trade groups, employer groups, and labor groups. Center diversity, equity, inclusion, and mutually beneficial practices in coalition-building.
• Monitor activities of the Legislature, Congress, and governmental entities on issues of importance to Planned Parenthood.
• Collaborate with the VP of Development on consistent advocacy messages for donor relations.
• Provide executive oversight of fundraising goals and priorities, build and maintain relationships with major donors, speak at events, and support grant application development.

Communications and Marketing:

• Develop and oversee an integrated communication strategy for internal, external, and statewide communications.
• Work with media relations to boost visibility and influence opinion through media campaigns.
• Manage crisis communication, guiding the organization through public relations challenges.
• Collaborate with the marketing team on campaigns engaging diverse audiences, promoting community health initiatives, and driving advocacy efforts.
• Supervise communication strategies and campaigns, using data for informed adjustments.

Education:

• Provide executive-level visioning, leadership, and expertise to the education program.
• Oversee the implementation of educational strategies, aligning organizational goals.
• Ensure educational programs are accessible, inclusive, and meet the needs of diverse communities.
• Advocate for and secure funding to support and expand educational impact.

Equity & Inclusion:

• Provide oversight to the Interim VP of Education and E&I to provide executive-level visioning and leadership in the organization’s DEI and health equity strategic initiatives.
• Partner with the Executive leaders, People and Culture, and Patient Services leadership to ensure alignment, integration, and accountability of DEI and health equity strategies internally and externally.
• Work collaboratively with all levels of the organization to create a culture that embraces diversity and promotes inclusion and equity.
• Collaborate with CEO, VP of Patient Services and Medical Director on promoting and securing funding for strategic initiatives that reduce health inequities.

Service Standards:

• Lead with a focus on racial justice and DEI, considering staff experiences and community engagement.
• Maintain confidentiality, and collaboration across all organizational levels.
• Model teamwork, professionalism, high ethical standards, and sound business judgment.
• Exhibit strong organizational and planning skills.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, application for workers’ compensation benefits, use of statutory protected leave, veteran or military status, pregnancy, union activity, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Planned Parenthood is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.