Chief Relations Officer (CRO)

Richmond, VA (On-site)

Salary Not AvailableSenior Level15+ years expFull time

Posted 4 months ago

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Job Summary

Drive integrated advancement and external relations to secure diversified funding and strategic partnerships for a mission-driven nonprofit.

  • Must-have: 15+ years in fundraising/external relations with at least 10 in senior leadership.
  • Standout: Demonstrated seven-figure gifts and multi-year partnership success.
  • Standout: Public-facing leadership with CEO/Board visibility and cross-functional influence.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Integrated Brand & Mission Execution: Ensure a unified, mission centered brand and narrative across all fundraising, marketing, partnerships, and external engagements in alignment with the Strategic Plan for all agency programs.
  • Revenue Growth & Diversification: Develop and drive sustainable diversified multi-year revenue strategy that ensures sustainable growth across major gifts, institutional and government grants, corporate partnerships, and innovative funding models.
  • Strategic Alliance Portfolio: Build and steward a high-impact portfolio of cross-sector partnerships that deliver both financial investment and programmatic scale.
  • Thought Leadership & Public Influence: Position YWCA Richmond as a premier convener and trusted voice on racial justice, gender equity, violence intervention & prevention, housing stability, and early childhood education.
  • Stakeholder & Alumni Activation: Transform donors, alumni, corporate partners, and community leaders into a mobilized network of advocates, ambassadors, and investors.
  • Executive Thought Partner: Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board on external positioning, long-term alliances, and organizational visibility.
  • Ecosystem & Alliance Management: Identify, negotiate, and manage high-value partnerships with corporations, foundations, government entities, and nonprofits.
  • External Advocacy & Representation: Represent YWCA Richmond at high-profile events, media opportunities, civic forums, and legislative engagements to amplify impact and influence.
  • Fundraising Oversight: Provide strategic leadership for all fundraising functions, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate social responsibility (CSR), institutional funding, and government grants.
  • Revenue Generation: Lead the development of multi-year, multi-layered partnership agreements that integrate funding, co-branding, and programmatic collaboration.
  • Stewardship & Relationship Building: Cultivate deep relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundation leaders, and corporate executives.
  • Grant Strategy: Oversee grant development and management to ensure alignment with mission priorities and maximize funding capture.
  • Advancement Projection: Lead revenue forecasting in partnership with finance and the executive team.
  • Integrated Communications: Direct comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that align storytelling with fundraising, advocacy, Sprout School, Domestic Violence Resources, and partnership goals.
  • Executive Voice & Visibility: Partner with the CEO to serve as a public-facing leader and spokesperson for the organization. Oversee efforts that advance YWCA Richmond’s mission, collaborating with community partners and policymakers.
  • Digital Strategy: Ensure a consistent, high-impact digital and social media presence across all platforms for all programs.
  • Crisis Communications: Lead crisis communications planning and response to protect and strengthen organizational reputation.
  • Talent Development: Lead and mentor a high-performing team including Advancement, Marketing & Communications, and Partnership leaders.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ensure seamless coordination between external-facing teams and program leadership so brand promises are matched by service delivery and fiscal responsibility.
  • Board Partnership: Collaborate with the Board of Directors on donor engagement, external relations strategy, and network expansion. - Reporting: Establish clear performance benchmarks and accountability systems aligned with revenue and engagement goals. Report on KPI performance to CEO and the Board. - Executive Leadership: Actively participate in executive leadership team meetings, strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational decision-making. - Cross Functional Collaboration: Contribute to culture-building, long-term sustainability planning, and cross department collaboration. - Mission-Driven Leadership: Model equity-centered leadership rooted in transparency, accountability and innovation.
YWCA USA logo

YWCA USA

YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families.YWCA has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for more than 160 years — from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to health care reform. Today, we combine programming and advocacy in order to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, and health and safety of women and girls..Visit http://ywca.org to learn more about our over 220 local associations nationwide.

Founded in 1985
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
2.1K employees

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