Vice President, Communications

POSITION TITLE: Vice President, Communications

REPORTS TO: Sr. Vice President, External Affairs  

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Communications team

LOCATION: New York, NY (CSC) 

Grade/Class: Grade K, Exempt, Non-Union 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: 

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. 

PRIMARY FUNCTION: 

The Vice President of Communications (VP) will oversee all media relations for ADL.  This includes proactive media relations across all platforms for the CEO and executive team, responding to media inquiries, and crisis communications. In addition, the VP will work with the social media team as it relates to using these platforms to reach media.

Primary: 

• Develop and execute communications and media relations strategies across all platforms to effectively communicate ADL’s messaging and ensure the accuracy of ADL’s public image its programs and initiatives, and its top executives. Ensure that ADL is reaching target external audiences at the international, national, regional and local level through broadcast, digital, print and radio. 
• Oversee the development of strategic messaging strategies including narrative development, regular talking points, daily social media posts and other messaging activities. 
• Lead crisis communications as necessary, whether prompted by internal developments or exogenous events, to ensure immediate and effective responses across all communications channels. 
• Ensure continuous engagement with the press and key social media voices by building and maintaining relationships with key contacts in the press and on social media platforms.  
• Lead the Communications team responsible for executing this work.   
• Select, hire, and manage vendors and contractors as needed and ensure that projects are completed on-time and at- or under-budget across multiple disciplines including graphic design firms, public relations, freelance writers, photographers, production vendors, et al. 
• Develop and manage metrics to assess performance.  Develop methods to provide regular reporting to the CEO and board. 
• Work collaboratively and seamlessly with the VP, Brand & Marketing to ensure all communications (internal and external) are consistent with and supportive of the evolving ADL brand and key messaging to ADL’s various constituencies. 
• Represent ADL at private and public events and meetings as needed, including board meetings, meetings with major donors, and public speaking opportunities.
• Act at organization spokesperson when needed.  

Skills/Attributes:   

• Proven track record working directly with media, especially in high-stakes, fast-moving situations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Significant leadership and management experience with success in building, retaining, motivating, and developing a high-performing teams. 
• Substantial experience in driving collaboration throughout an organization. 
• Ability to manage a diverse range of activities across a complex organization, setting priorities and supporting the successful achievement of goals. 
• Experience working with C-Suite level executives in an advisory capacity. 
• A demonstrated interest in ADL’s mission and policy priorities. 
• Able to develop project/work plans and execute them with minimal supervision. 
• Creative problem solver with entrepreneurial spirit and self-starting nature.  
• Committed to inclusion and belonging values.
• Results-oriented with a sense of urgency. Willing to make tough decisions in a timely manner. 
• Team player with willingness to play multiple positions as needed. 
• High tolerance for ambiguity. 
• Experience working in a complex political climate.

 Work Experience:   

• The ideal candidate has significant years’ experience in a leadership capacity in communications, media or public relations preferably in a high intensity, fast-paced environment. 

Education:   

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent experience required. 
• Advanced degree preferred. 

Work Environment:  

• ADL is a hybrid environment; this role may require 3 days in the office. 
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends. 
• Domestic travel required. Some international travel. 

Compensation: 

• This position has a salary range of $190,000 to $215,000. This salary range is reflective of a position based in New York, New York. Please note that actual salaries are commensurate with experience and reflect the budget for a given position, and since ADL has a location-based compensation structure, there may be a different range for candidates in other locations. For an overview of our total rewards package, please visit https://www.adl.org/about/careers. 

ADL values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of underrepresented ethnic groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. ADL is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, promotions and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment shall be maintained in a manner which does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or military status, or in violation of any applicable Federal, state or local laws.     

ADL will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation to support the interview process, please contact People & Culture at talentacquisition@adl.org. 

ADL will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable State, Local, and Federal laws.  

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job, nor is it to be interpreted as a contract for employment.