Chief External Affairs Officer

The Role Recognizing the critical nature of proactively, authentically, and consistently engaging its audiences and stakeholders, all in support of its mission, Ailey has created a new position: Chief External Affairs Officer. Reporting to the Executive Director, Bennett Rink, this new leader will oversee an integrated marketing, communications, and development department, aligning the work of Ailey’s externally-facing teams. They will build on the organization’s successes to date, while enabling the future-oriented programs, initiatives, and work to further Ailey’s impact as the leading dance institution across its performance, training, education, and community programs. In doing so, this leader and their team will be committed to more broadly communicating, elevating and reinforcing the artistic vision of Robert Battle. As a strategic leader, this Chief External Affairs Officer will play a critical role as one of the core members of Ailey’s executive team. As such, they must serve as an organizational strategist and counselor first and foremost, then leveraging their functional expertise to support and drive broader institutional aims. Most specifically, they will lead (both directly, and through the collaborative efforts of the team): Strategy & Vision: collaboratively, working in partnership with the rest of the senior leadership team, developing an overarching external affairs strategy that aligns with Ailey’s vision, is comprehensive in nature, and fully leverages the institution’s history, assets, and future ambitions; contributing as an organizational strategist and leader, including as counselor to the Executive Director, other senior executives, and the Board of Trustees Team Leadership: managing, coaching and developing a team of senior colleagues with deep institutional knowledge and functional expertise; ensuring cohesion and coordination, so the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and the external affairs team is even more impactful in its work Branding & Marketing: helps build a strategy and execution plan to raise awareness of and engagement with Ailey’s programs, performances, and community efforts, reinforcing the institutional brand and building channels through which audiences and stakeholders can participate; driving increasingly innovative approaches to revenue generation and partnerships (both live and virtually), embracing best-in-class media trends Communications: reinforcing and protecting reputation, through creative storytelling and issues management; maintaining relationships with critical media outlets, while identifying emerging outlets and influencers (across the owned, earned, paid spectrum, in partnership with marketing) Development: ensuring Ailey’s continued financial viability through effective stewardship, maintaining relationships with existing donors, and providing opportunities for new, yet-to-be-engaged constituencies to support the organization’s mission and efforts Given the new nature of the position, Ailey expects that this leader will collaboratively set strategic goals with the Executive Director, stemming from an assessment that this individual will lead. Following that, this leader will articulate existing strengths, identify areas for growth, and then operationalize a plan to ensure progress and enhanced impact through marketing, communications, and development efforts. All of this must be done in a way that creates synergies, ensuring the whole is greater than the sum of the parts – and that everything is seamlessly coordinated. Candidate Profile First and foremost, this must be an individual with a deep belief in Ailey’s mission, along with an abiding commitment to operating according to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This person does not necessarily need experience in performing arts, although an affinity for and understanding of the space would be strongly preferred, as would an appreciation for the nuanced nature of marketing, communications, and development in the non-profit sector. This position requires an accomplished leader with a reputation for having been a driving force in building and/or enhancing strategic external affairs capabilities within an organization. The successful candidate will have an in-depth knowledge of the full suite of marketing, communications, and development best practices, a track record of working collaboratively as an executive counselor and as part of an integrated external affairs function, and the credibility that comes with success in these areas. This individual will be a self-starter who is comfortable with leading initiatives from inception through successful execution, owning both the “big picture” and “the details.” They will be a “doer” who is hands-on, execution-oriented, and able to function in a rapidly changing external environment. This requires a high degree of initiative and creativity, as well as the ability to manage multiple tasks, work under pressure, and meet deadlines. The ideal candidate will need credibility, gravitas, a strong executive presence, and influencing skills to communicate the value of strategic external affairs. In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following: Functional Expertise Comprehensive understanding of brand development, marketing, advertising, communications, media relations, social media, digital development, and fundraising Outstanding team management and development skills, including the ability to provide direction to a group of diverse, talented colleagues with functional expertise A leader who is self-reflective and aware of their limitations; leads by example and drives the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement. Relationships and Influence Naturally connects and builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. An ability to inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, passion in their beliefs, and active drive. Encourages others to share the spotlight; visibly celebrates and supports the success of the team. Creates a sense of purpose/meaning for the team that generates followership beyond their own personality and engages others to the greater purpose for the organization as a whole. Ability to handle multiple priority initiatives for the organization at once, ensuring success across multiple areas of the institution Ability to present and communicate with multiple target audiences, thoughtfully representing Ailey’s activities and interests Setting Strategy The ability to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization, not only for the areas they are directly responsible for, but the enterprise as a whole. The inclination to seek and analyze data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the organization's overall strategy. An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries within the sector. The ability to effectively balance the desire/need for broad change with an understanding of how much change the organization is capable of handling, to create realistic goals and implementation plans that are achievable and successful. Executing for Results The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance; tenacious and accountable in driving results. Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations. A risk-taker who seeks data and input from others to foresee possible threats or unintended circumstances from decisions; someone who takes smart risks. A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; the ability to act transparently and consistently while always taking into account what is best for the organization.     Leading Teams The ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others. The ability to persevere in the face of challenges, and exhibit a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment to higher standards, which commands respect from followers.   Contact To apply for the position, please provide your resume, along with a brief note of interest, to the following email address: AlvinAileyExternalAffairs@RussellReynolds.com