Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an organization-wide communications and public affairs strategy aligned with Help Group's mission, strategic plan, program priorities, and growth objectives.
• Translate organizational priorities into annual goals, work plans, performance measures, and coordinated external engagement activities.
• Advise the leadership team on external trends, stakeholder opportunities, reputational considerations, and emerging issues that may affect Help Group.
• Coordinate communications and public affairs activities across programs and campuses so outreach, messaging, events, volunteer engagements, and partnerships reinforce shared organizational priorities.
• Represent Help Group at community meetings, sector convenings, public events, and other external forums as appropriate.
• Personally build and maintain relationships with the Los Angeles mayor's office, county supervisors' offices, city council members, other elected officials, and their staff, and civic leaders whose work affects Help Group and the people it serves.
• Develop a nonpartisan civic and governmental relations plan that increases understanding of Help Group's programs, community impact and priorities.
• Monitor relevant local and state policy development and coordinate timely organizational responses with executive and program leadership.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, testimony, correspondence, and meeting plans for leadership engagement with public officials and agency partners.
• Arrange site visits, briefings and meetings, that allow civic leaders to see Help Group's work firsthand. Prepare the leadership team for high-priority meetings and ensure timely follow-up. Identify opportunities for public recognition, government partnerships, and participation in policy or community initiatives...

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public affairs, public policy, non-profit management, business or a related field. A master's degree is preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, government relations, community engagement, corporate partnerships, or a related field including at least five years leading teams or major functions.
• Demonstrated experience personally building and sustaining relationships with elected officials and their staff. Candidates should be able to describe the relationships they developed, their individual role, and the results of that work.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing strategies that strengthen organizational visibility, stakeholder relationships, and community presence.
• Experience setting strategy for events, volunteer engagement, or other community - facing initiatives and directing staff responsible for execution.
• Experience managing managers or multidisciplinary teams, with the ability to set priorities, support professional growth and hold staff accountable for results.
• Strong knowledge of the nonprofit sector and the Los Angeles civic, government, corporate, and community landscape
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentations skills, with sound judgment and discretion.
• Experience overseeing budgets, external vendors, multiple projects and completing deadlines.
• Commitment to Help Group's mission and to respectful. inclusion engagement with neurodivergent individuals, people with disabilities, families and community partners.

Preferred

• Experience in human services, behavioral health, special education, disability services, workforce development, or a related field.
• Established relationships with Los Angeles- area elected offices, public agencies, corporate partners, coalitions, or community organizations.
• Experience with media relations, issues management, crisis communications, and executive positioning.
• Familiarity with California systems serving children and adults with developmental, behavioral educational or mental health needs.

Benefits

• Insurance plans for Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance - options for 100% employer sponsored plans
• 403b Retirement Plan
• 529 College Savings Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• Benefit Hub - Employee Rewards and Incentives
• Pet Insurance
• This salary range represents the low and high end of the salary someone in this role may earn as an employee of Help Group. Salaries will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to, professional and academic experience, certification, training, responsibilities of the position, and other business and organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of our total compensation package for employees. Salary decisions are dependent on the circumstances of each hire. Help Group reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. If your requirements fall outside of this range, you are still welcome to apply.
• We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.