VP, Community Engagement & Communications

Summary

The Vice President of Community Engagement & Communications is a senior executive leader responsible for the strategic vision, operational oversight, and performance outcomes of the Gift of Life Alliance's community engagement and communications functions, advancing the organization's mission, strengthening public trust, and increasing awareness and understanding of donation.

Reporting to the Chief External Affairs Officer, the Vice President oversees the development and execution of integrated community engagement and communications strategies that reflect GOLA's commitment to donor families, transplant recipients, hospital partners, employees, and the communities it serves. This position is responsible for building meaningful relationships with key stakeholders, elevating the stories and impact of donation, supporting a consistent organizational identity, and ensuring communications are timely, accurate, compassionate, and aligned with organizational priorities.

The Vice President serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and a highly visible ambassador for GOLA, representing the organization with community organizations, civic and faith-based groups, educational institutions, media, professional associations, and other external partners. This role requires a collaborative leader who can translate complex healthcare and donation-related issues into clear, accessible messages and develop engagement initiatives that inspire understanding, participation, and support for donation.

The VP leads large, multi-level teams across diverse geographic regions, fostering a high-performing culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, and service excellence. This role requires deep knowledge of the healthcare and OPO landscape, strong financial acumen, and the ability to navigate complex, high-stakes situations with sound judgment and professionalism.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership. Provides leadership, direction, and oversight to the Community Engagement and Communications departments, including staffing, budgeting, performance management, professional development, and resource allocation. Establishes departmental goals, performance measures, and accountability structures to evaluate effectiveness, reach, stakeholder engagement, and organizational impact. Establishes and monitors key performance indicators for community engagement, communications, media relations, digital engagement, and related initiatives. Uses data, research, stakeholder feedback, and performance results to refine strategies and improve effectiveness.

• Strategic Leadership and Departmental Oversight. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, participates in the development of strategic goals and direction of the organization. Advises executive leadership on community sentiment, emerging issues, stakeholder expectations, reputational considerations, and opportunities to advance GOLA's mission. Develops and implements integrated community engagement and communications strategies aligned with GOLA's mission, vision, strategic priorities, and organizational goals. Fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture that supports innovation, responsiveness, and service excellence.

• Team Development and Leadership. Leads, mentors, and coaches leaders within the Community Engagement and Communications departments. Fosters a culture of empathy, accountability, innovation, and high performance. Oversees talent development, workforce planning, and succession strategies and ensures staff education, competencies, and training programs support excellence and compliance. Promotes staff resilience, engagement, and professional growth in high-acuity environments.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned that are consistent with the purpose of the role.

Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, political science, public affairs, government, business, philanthropy or related field is required. A combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of formal educational requirements.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, community engagement, public affairs, marketing, nonprofit leadership, healthcare communications, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in organ procurement or healthcare is required.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a mid- to senior-level leadership role is required.

• Strong working knowledge of organ procurement and transplantation processes and regulations, including federal and state regulations and industry standards regarding organ procurement, is required.

• Proven track record of strategic planning, operational management, cross-functional integration, and financial performance evaluation leveraging performance metrics, KPIs, and quantitative analysis to monitor progress, optimize operations, and achieve organizational goals is required.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills is required.

• Current Driver's License is required and maintained with an acceptable driving record as defined by STA policy.

Compliance

• This position is classified as OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Category II.  Employees in this role may occasionally perform job duties that could involve contact with blood, bodily fluids, or other potentially infectious materials.  Appropriate PPE must be used when performing such tasks.

• Employees will receive mandatory training on bloodborne pathogens, safe work practices, and proper PPE usage.  Adherence to all safety and infection control policies is a condition of employment.

• This role requires compliance with HIPAA and all confidentiality standards related to patient, donor, employee, and organizational information.  Employees must safeguard all confidential information and disclose it only as permitted by law and organizational policy.

Other

Southwest Transplant Alliance maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with employees and applicants for employment. No aspect of employment will be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by statute. In addition to federal law requirements, STA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the STA has staff.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Job duties may change at any time with or without notice. Nothing in this description constitutes a contract of employment, and employment remains at-will.