Job details

Chief Communications Officer

Northwest Center is an ambitious, dynamic, and driven social enterprise organization that operates successful businesses to drive societal change. We are focused on our collective North—a world where all children have equitable access to education and the employment rate for people with disabilities is the same as the general population. Since its inception in 1965, Northwest Center has built and acquired a portfolio of commercial businesses to fuel our mission of disability inclusion and enable our journey North.

Position: Chief Communications Officer

Location: Renton, WA

As Chief Communications Officer (CCO) at Northwest Center, you'll be the driving force behind our communications, shaping strategic direction and creatively advancing our brand and fundraising strategies to set Northwest Center apart as a leader in the disabilities movement. This role is equal parts strategy, team leadership, and rolling up your sleeves to make things happen. You will be leading an engaged internal team and outside resources to build culture, and develop talent aligned with our purpose and values.

In this key position, you'll collaborate with our Chief Development Officer, our Chief Growth Officer, and the executive committee to spearhead proactive communications, advocacy, and storytelling initiatives. These initiatives are designed to amplify our impact, boost revenue, and strengthen community action and partnerships. You'll be at the forefront of challenging existing narratives and driving transformative change in the disabilities landscape.

In this role, you're not just part of the team; you're at the heart of it, working closely with our President and CEO. Together, you'll enhance our strategic approach and help define Northwest Center’s market presence. This role is our platform to revolutionize the dialogue around classroom and workforce inclusion, dismantle misconceptions, and accelerate our mission. Your leadership will ensure our messaging resonates widely and meets the specific needs of our targeted audiences, maintaining alignment with our overarching goals.

Our ideal candidate is a seasoned and creative leader with a depth of experience in both developing and executing strategies, bringing them to life through inspiring and impactful multi-channel communications. An Individual who inspires and engages deeply while making strategic, intelligent decisions. The ideal candidate is ambitious, thrives on collaborative energy, and consistently celebrates team successes while learning from setbacks to remain aligned with strategic goals.

Salary: $150,000 to $180,000

Benefits:

Competitive and affordable Medical (including hearing & hardware coverage!), Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
Parental Leave & Paid Compassion Leave
Employment Assistance Program (EAP) via Spring Health
Mental Wellness Program including six free therapy sessions per year
Physical Wellness Reimbursement Program - $25/month
Student Loan Contribution Program - $50/month
Pet Insurance Discount Program'

Check out the entire list of benefits Northwest Center has to offer here: http://www.nwcbenefits.com/

Essential Duties:

Strategic Direction: Develop and execute a comprehensive communications framework in support of Northwest Center’s Strategic Plan, aligning with organizational goals and industry trends.
Communications: Oversee all external and internal communications functions including public relations, executive communications, crisis communications, report writing, content development, social media, website, and speaker program/conference participation.
Fundraising: Support a robust development strategy for Northwest center programs to expand donor acquisition, generate new working capital, and expand utilization. In addition, develop strategies to engage job seekers, donors, volunteers, alumni, and corporate and workforce partners to accelerate growth.
Strategic Messaging: Develop and execute multi-faceted messaging campaigns that challenge conventional wisdom, fostering a deeper understanding of barriers faced by the disabled and promoting effective solutions.
Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and own an integrative framework to effectively engage and influence our stakeholders to address barriers for the disabled and expand our reach and impact.
Stakeholder Relationships: Maintain robust relationships with key stakeholders, including internal stakeholders like other C-suite executives and the board of directors, as well as external stakeholders such as media, partners, and influencers.
Public Awareness and Media Relations: Oversee public awareness and elevate our media presence. Plan and execute targeted media campaigns to engage the target audience. Identify, cultivate and maintain media relationships to grow brand recognition and thought leadership.
Brand Enhancement & Alignment: Elevate the organization’s brand visibility and reputation. This could involve improving brand perception metrics through targeted communications campaigns and effective public relations strategies and ensuring consistency in messaging and visual identity across all channels.
Content Development: Oversee the creation of compelling and influential content, including articles, op-eds, and presentations, to position Northwest Center as a thought leader in the field of disabilities empowerment.
Market Expansion: Successfully condition new markets or customer segments for future growth. This involves understanding new markets and adapting communication messages to meet diverse stakeholder needs.
Educational Initiatives: Develop and implement initiatives to educate the public, employers, and the media on the potential and value of disabled professionals in the U.S. workforce. Direct the planning, execution, and optimization of multi-channel communications and marketing campaigns, leveraging digital, social media, PR, and other channels.
Research and Insights: Utilize Northwest Center’s wealth of insights to drive thought leadership initiatives, ensuring that we are at the forefront of discussions on inclusive early learning and employment opportunity equity.
ROI and Metrics: Demonstrate a strong return on investment (ROI) for communications activities. This includes providing clear metrics that show the impact on organization goals, such as brand awareness, lead generation and conversion rates and overall funds raised.

Requirements:

15+ years of manager-level working experience in communications or related fields such as corporate communications/marketing, internal communications, public relations, and marketing communications.
Demonstrated ability to conceive, develop, and implement strategic communication plans on target and within budget
10+ years of supervisory/leadership experience

Northwest Center is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and/or receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at jobs@nwcenter.org.

At Northwest Center, we do not just accept diversity and inclusion — we celebrate it, support it, live it, and flourish in it to benefit our employees, the community, and our clientele. We believe that curiosity and critical thinking are essential to the dialogue and improving decision-making, planning, resource allocation, and how we treat others. Our goal is to create and implement more equitable practices, policies, and culture. To be equitable means to value and respect individuals from all cultural backgrounds, genders, races, identities, and abilities. Northwest Center is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and veteran status.

Northwest Center Glassdoor Company Review

3.5

Northwest Center DE&I Review

No rating

CEO of Northwest Center

Gene Boes

Approve of CEO

By Northwest Center

“To promote the growth, development and independence of people with developmental disabilities through programs of education, rehabilitation and work opportunity.”

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FUNDING

Nonprofit

DEPARTMENTS

Media and Communication

SENIORITY LEVEL REQUIREMENT

Senior

INDUSTRY

Civic & Social Services

TEAM SIZE