VP of Communications & Public Affairs

The role

The Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs provides strategic leadership for marketing, communications, public relations, and community engagement. This leader will develop and execute a comprehensive plan to strengthen organizational visibility and oversee brand management and media relations.

What you will do

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and external affairs strategy.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive leadership.
• Provide strategic oversight of marketing, digital communications, social media, website management, and creative services.
• Lead the continued implementation of the organizational rebrand.
• Lead public relations and reputation management efforts with an external PR firm.
• Oversee relationships with elected officials, public agencies, and community organizations.
• Provide strategic oversight of non-fundraising events, volunteer engagement, and community outreach.
• Lead, mentor, and develop marketing, communications, and community engagement staff.
• Manage departmental budgets, external vendors, consultants, and agency relationships.
• Collaborate across departments to manage competing priorities and organization-wide initiatives.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, public affairs, nonprofit management, business, or a related field.
• At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public relations, external affairs, or a related field.
• At least five years of leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing comprehensive communications, marketing, or external engagement strategies.
• Experience assessing existing teams, systems, and processes and implementing improvements.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience overseeing brand management, integrated marketing campaigns, digital communications, and public relations activities.
• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on leadership and effective execution.
• Commitment to Help Group's mission and to respectful, inclusive engagement with neurodivergent individuals, people with disabilities, families, and community partners.

Nice to have

• Master's degree in communications, marketing, public affairs, nonprofit management, business, or a related field.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations, human services, behavioral health, special education, disability services, or related sectors.
• Familiarity with the Los Angeles civic, nonprofit, media, and community landscape.
• Experience overseeing organizational rebranding initiatives, including implementation across multiple facilities or locations.
• Experience collaborating with external public relations firms and managing media relations, executive positioning, or reputation management.
• Established relationships with Los Angeles-area community organizations, public agencies, civic leaders, or other strategic partners.
• Experience leading organizational change, strengthening team operations, and developing effective systems for project management and accountability.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Retirement
• Paid time off
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development

About the company

Help Group is a leading nonprofit organization that has supported children, adolescents, adults, and families across Los Angeles for 85 years. It serves individuals with diverse learning, behavioral, emotional, developmental, and mental health needs.