New Search! Maine Community Foundation Vice President of Communications and Marketing

Position Summary

Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) has partnered with Pillar Search & HR Consulting in their search for their new Vice President of Communications and Marketing. This is an exciting role for an experienced visionary, creative, and strategic leader with expertise in nonprofit/foundation communications and marketing.

The Vice President of Communications and Marketing is a member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of comprehensive communications and marketing strategies that enhance the Foundation’s visibility, brand, and impact among target audiences (including donors, prospects, and community/opinion leaders across sectors).

Who We Are

MaineCF’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a better Maine. We hold assets of over $700 million and work statewide with donors and other partners to provide grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships for Maine students. Our 52 employees work from our main office in Ellsworth, the second office in Portland, and remote locations throughout the state.  We have a commitment to equity and expect all staff will use equity to inform their work with us. Please learn more about us by visiting our website: www.mainecf.org.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Foundation Leadership
    • As an active member of the Management Team, participates in strategic planning, general organizational leadership and meetings of MaineCF’s board of directors
    • Represents the Foundation and/or CEO in functions or meetings, as requested
    • Monitors and draws from national trends in philanthropy-related communications broadly and community foundations specifically
    • Participates in national communications networks or community foundation learning opportunities
    • Ensures that all staff and board understand and can deliver core messaging
  • Department Leadership
    • Provides strategic leadership to the communications department, fostering a productive work environment and the professional development of staff
    • Develops and monitors communications and marketing budgets
  • Communications and Marketing Strategy
    • Develops and oversees the implementation of a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy for the Foundation that advances the organizational mission and strategic goals
    • Develops and oversees tailored, impact-oriented communications plans for the foundation’s new initiatives
    • Sets measures of the effectiveness of marketing and communications strategies and activities
  • Public and Media Relations
    • Serves as a spokesperson for the organization
    • Develops a media relations strategy for the Foundation
    • Serves as main point of contact for media, building positive organizational relationships with editors and reporters
    • In collaboration with the CEO and relevant senior leadership, leads the planning and execution of significant events
    • Ensures the strategic placement of advertising and sponsorships to reach key audiences with targeted messaging
  • Crisis Communications
    • Serve as our crisis communications leader and point person.
    • Proactively plan for possible scenarios and ensure all involved understand what to do when predicted scenarios do occur.
    • Anticipate and be available (seven days a week, if required) for critical PR needs.
    • In partnership with the CEO, manage internal staff communications to provide reassurance and minimize business disruptions
  • Online Media and Print Publications
    • Provides leadership and oversight of Foundation’s brand on the website, in email, social media, and in print
    • Monitors and makes use of online analytics
    • Drives the messaging, content development, design and production of print materials, delivering materials on time and within budget
  • Message development for CEO
    • Drafts high-level, high-impact written materials, as needed
    • In partnership with CEO, develops messaging for CEO remarks/speeches relevant for specific audiences

Qualifications

  • Twelve to fifteen years’ experience leading a strategic communications and marketing department or creative agency with five to seven years management experience
  • Background with a strong storytelling, impact-oriented approach to message development with a preference for a gifted writer with a history of crafting and telling stories
  • Knowledge of communications challenges and opportunities of community foundations/philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with an ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth environment
  • Proven track record of serving as the most senior communications person working directly with CEO, senior leadership, and board
  • Experience advancing equity issues desired
  • Comfort working with a wide range of personal backgrounds of various foundation constituents
  • Strong working knowledge of core communications tools and digital media tools
  • Willingness and ability to travel regularly within Maine and some travel nationally to attend meetings and events outside regular work hours, including some evenings and weekends
  • Degree strongly preferred or demonstrated equivalent work experience
  • Preference for individuals with a strong knowledge of Maine, Maine media, and current issues in Maine

Schedule and Location

  • This is a full-time, exempt position
  • This is a hybrid position (2 days in office, 3 days remote), based out of our Ellsworth or Portland office
  • Candidates must live in Maine or establish Maine residency within 3 months of hire

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range of $135,000-$150,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications. Benefits include:

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 100% employer-paid premium for individual coverage
  • Employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and term life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 6-9% company contribution vested immediately
  • 21 paid days off per year (increases with tenure)
  • 13 paid holidays per year
  • Parental leave
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Wellness benefit
  • Free parking

Our Hiring Process and Timeline

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to Cindy Joyce, Executive Search Consultant and Founder, Pillar Search & HR Consulting, at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

The deadline for submitting your candidate materials is May 24, 2024.

For questions, please contact cindy@pillarsearch.com.

Search Success: Becka Yturregui Joins Maine Community Foundation as Vice President of Donor Engagement!

Maine Community Foundation and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce the appointment of Becka Yturregui to the position of Vice President of Donor Engagement. Becka joined the organization on May 8, 2023.

Becka will be a great addition to their management team, carrying forward MaineCF’s mission and vision forward with energy and passion. Becka’s background includes donor cultivation and stewardship, community relations, and institutional communications. A skilled strategist and relationship-builder, she brings extensive experience in helping organizations tell their stories and in building deep, impactful relationships in their communities.

Most recently, Becka served as the Vice President of Donor Relations and Philanthropic Impact at CJP – Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

Becka grew up in Maine and is a graduate of Simmons College. She will be based in the Maine Community Foundation’s Portland office.

About Maine Community Foundation: The Maine Community Foundation brings people and resources together to build a better Maine through strategic giving, community leadership, personalized service, local expertise and strong investments. To learn more about the foundation, please visit https://www.mainecf.org.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston (with roots in Maine!), Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. Pillar’s founder, Cindy Joyce, is a Certified Diversity Recruiter. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

New Search: Vice President, Donor Engagement

Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) has partnered with Pillar Search & HR Consulting in their search for their new Vice President, Donor Engagement. This is an exciting role for an experienced professional with donor engagement and nonprofit leadership experience. 

Who We Are       

MaineCF’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a better Maine. We hold assets of over $775 million and work statewide with donors and other partners to provide grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships for Maine students. Our 48 employees work from our main office in Ellsworth, a second office in Portland, and remote locations throughout the state.  We have a commitment to equity and expect all staff will use equity to inform their work with us. Please learn more about us by visiting our website: https://www.mainecf.org.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Donor Engagement leads the Foundation’s donor engagement and planned giving departments and is a member of the Foundation’s management team. Reporting to the CEO, the VP of Donor Engagement provides strategic vision and direction to all aspects of the Foundation’s work with existing donors. The overarching goal of this position is to provide high-quality customer service, strategic grantmaking, and learning opportunities to and with donors. This position will be instrumental in developing and executing new strategies to engage donors to participate in broader initiatives and make unrestricted grants that will further MaineCF’s mission of building a better Maine. The ideal candidate will be relationship-focused and committed to lifelong learning. They must be an experienced leader with the ability to lead their own team and to partner with other teams across the Foundation.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

  • Develop, deliver, and evaluate the Foundation’s donor engagement strategies, policies, and activities with a focus on relationship-building.
  • Advise and prepare CEO for donor interactions by providing succinct descriptions of donors’ preferences, goals, and grantmaking history.
  • In partnership with VP of Philanthropy and Director of Planned Giving, develop, deliver and evaluate the Foundation’s planned giving strategies, policies, and activities.
  • Works closely with VP of Philanthropy to develop and implement advancement goals and strategies particularly as they relate to donor advised funds.
  • Cultivate and build relationships with current donors to create an organizational culture that focuses on relationship-building.
  • Develop and execute strategies to increase engagement and grantmaking from current donor advisors.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of issue areas, initiatives, and community networks throughout Maine in order to guide donors and inform their grantmaking.
  • Support donors’ grantmaking by providing expertise that connects their desired goals with initiatives in Maine.
  • Understand and communicate grantmaking policies and practices in support of donors and in line with the current procedures of the organization.
  • Maintain and record major interactions with donors in Foundation database.
  • Perform the duties of a department manager, including interviewing, hiring, scheduling, training, supervising, evaluating, recognizing, and disciplining direct reports, setting employee goals and objectives, resolving employee issues, and ensuring compliance with the Employee Handbook and related personnel policies.
  • Participate and provide leadership in organizational management as a member of MaineCF’s management team.
  • Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications needed for position:

  • Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience preferred, at least 2 years management experience.
  • Degree strongly preferred or demonstrated equivalent work experience.
  • Exceptional planning and organizational skills, with the ability to think strategically in the design and execution of projects and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities.
  • Commitment to and experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Proven record of managing, motivating and mentoring a team of professionals to achieve positive outcomes.
  • A relationship builder, with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups and individuals.
  • Proven track record in donor services/customer service and outreach, in particular with high-net-worth individuals.
  • Experience in asset development, including unrestricted, targeted, and planned gifts.
  • Knowledge of organizations and issues that may have long-term impact on communities across Maine.
  • Well-organized, self-motivated, and can-do attitude. Team player.
  • Willingness and ability to travel within Maine.
  • Willingness and ability to attend meetings and events outside regular work hours as needed.

Location and Schedule

This is a full-time hybrid position (2 days in office, 3 days remote), based out of either the Ellsworth or Portland office.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Salary range of $135K-$165K annually, based on experience and qualifications
  • Health Insurance, 100% employer-paid premium for individual coverage
  • Dental Insurance, 100% employer-paid premium for individual coverage
  • Vision Insurance, 100% employer-paid premium for individual coverage
  • Employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and term life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 6-9% company contribution vested immediately
  • 21 paid days off per year (increases with tenure)
  • 13 paid holidays per year
  • Parental leave
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Wellness benefit

Hiring Process and Timeline

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to Cindy Joyce, Executive Search Consultant and Founder, Pillar Search & HR Consulting, at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

The deadline for submitting your materials is March 10, 2023. Ideally, we would like to have the new VP, Donor Engagement join in April.