Director of Strategic Communications

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation that provides access to opportunities that help people achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity – regardless of race, gender, or geography. The Foundation uses its grantmaking, research, programs, affiliates, and initiatives to support the start and growth of new businesses, a more prepared workforce, and stronger communities. Our work is grounded in the principles of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion and is consistent with the aspirations of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman.

Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the Kauffman Foundation is one of the largest foundations in the United States with an asset base of approximately $3 billion. While striving to have national impact and global reach, the Foundation is deeply committed to Kansas City, as evidenced by work on initiatives that reach into neighborhoods and enrich the community and quality of life in the region. For more information about the Foundation, please visit the website at www.kauffman.org.
 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy, including defining short- and long-term goals and objectives that advance the Foundation’s mission, amplify its initiatives, and foster informed and engaged communities across Kansas City.  
• Establish and maintain relationships with regional and national peer organizations. Identify best practices, trends in the field, and other opportunities to enhance the Foundation’s communication strategy and elevate our work.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies, making data-driven adjustments to support continuous quality improvement.
• Lend strategic thought leadership and hands-on communications support to Foundation initiatives including but not limited to grantmaking, operating programs, affiliates, and sponsorships.
• Collaborate with leadership to share key learnings from the Foundation’s grantmaking, operating programs, and initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key media representatives. Manage Foundation media relations to ensure accurate and timely coverage of activities and news.
• Lead and supervise a team of associates to provide the full continuum of communications support for the Foundation including but not limited to editorial,  media relations, marketing, brand management, paid advertising (including sponsored content), collateral materials, web, social media, video and photography projects, email communications, and events. Identify vendor or contractor support as needed.
• Manage and track ongoing projects and forecast for future projects; this includes comprehensive project management with oversight of the progression of projects from kick-off to completion.
• Proactively monitor and advise the CEO/President and Cabinet members on current and potential public relations, marketing, and communication issues; recommend an effective course of action.
• Coordinate internal communications for associates in partnership with Foundation leadership regarding emergency communications, policy and organizational updates, special programs, associate achievements, and news of general interest.
• Oversee external speaking requests for associates; ensure timely response. Prepare talking points, briefing materials, statements, or messages for high-profile events and interviews.
• Manage the strategic communications budget in alignment with strategic communication team goals.
• Serve on the Foundation’s Leadership Team. Attend Cabinet meetings or Board of Trustees meetings as requested by the Office of the President.
• Other duties as assigned.  

• Skilled communicator and people manager who can strategize, plan, and delegate effectively.
• Expertly communicates to design and oversee communications plans. Has the ability to innovate, collaborate, leverage data, and consult as a strategic thought partner with a wide variety of roles and program areas.
• Experience in communication strategy and planning for incidents and/or issues that potentially attract negative media attention
• Excellent writing and speaking skills as demonstrated in high-profile forums.
• Proven ability to listen, discern challenges, and proactively identify solutions.
• Demonstrated experience in leading organizational change and building a team culture in alignment with organization mission, priorities, and culture.
• Partnership approach and ability to effectively work with different workstyles. 
• Experience overseeing integrated marketing strategies, web and social media engagement, media relations, collateral and video projects, events and new initiative launches.
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills to engage a wide variety of team members and vendors to design and effectively implement strategy in a fast-paced environment.
• Possesses a high level of ethics with a strong sense of integrity and is committed to the values of the Foundation and maintenance of confidentiality.
• Possesses solid interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to establish and develop credibility quickly at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to maintain a calm and competent demeanor in uncomfortable or difficult situations.
• Is committed to the Foundation’s credo, standards, and values in alignment with our racial equity, diversity, and inclusion statement.