Vice President of External Affairs

Our Organization

Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) invests in bold ideas, grassroots leadership, and local organizations dismantling barriers for women, girls, and gender-expansive people. Since 1985, CFW has invested over $55 million through more than 5,500 grants to organizations across the Chicago region, focusing on economic security and mobility, reproductive justice, freedom from violence, and access to health and wellness.

We envision a future where equity transforms lives and systems, creating a world where safety is certain, dignity is honored, and choice is guaranteed. Guided by values of equity, community-led power, collective action, and intersectionality, CFW works in partnership with communities to move resources, shift power, and advance lasting change.

About the Position:

The Vice President of External Affairs is a key member of the leadership team, reporting directly to the President & CEO. This executive-level role is responsible for developing and executing an integrated external affairs strategy that advances CFW’s mission, builds strategic partnerships, strengthens brand presence, aligns resource allocation to deepen impact, and influences the policy and public environment in which it operates. The VP serves as another senior spokesperson and trusted representative of the organization with external audiences. This role shapes the strategic direction of the Foundation’s external affairs department and leads the teams responsible for the Foundation’s fundraising, marketing and communications, and external engagement.

CFW’s new three-year strategic plan is rooted in a clear purpose: mobilize more resources to catalyze greater impact and engage more people and inspire them to take action for equity. The Vice President of External Affairs plays a critical role in advancing these strategic priorities by amplifying the Foundation’s voice, strengthening community connections, and aligning external strategies with mission-driven impact.

This leader will operate as a strategic visionary driving measurable results while building the infrastructure, systems, and capacity needed for long-term success.

Key Responsibilities:

Partnership with the President & CEO

Advise the President & CEO, leadership team, and Board of Directors on emerging opportunities and reputational risks.

Oversee the development of policy positions, briefing materials, talking points, and stakeholder communications.

Collaborate with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to cultivate and steward a small portfolio of key relationships.

Lead crisis-management efforts in coordination with the Board, President & CEO, and leadership team.

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement an integrated external affairs strategy aligned with the Foundation’s mission and three-year strategic plan.

Provide strategic leadership and financial oversight of a marketing and communications plan, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, messaging, and lead CFW’s next organizational rebrand.

Develop and implement, a comprehensive annual fundraising plan with goals across events, major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation support, planned giving, and campaigns to meet revenue goals.

Track and report progress on annual fundraising revenue goals.

Bring experience translating a strategic plan into a public narrative and strong brand position for the organization.

Conduct an audit of department vendors and oversee the approval process of vendor selection.

Brand Ambassador

Serve as another visible ambassador for the Foundation across community, media, and partner spaces.

Monitor legislative, regulatory, political, economic, and community developments that may affect the organization.

Build and strengthen relationships with community leaders, partners, and stakeholders.

Collaboration

Partner with the leadership team to contribute to organization-wide planning and decision-making.

Develop and implement a comprehensive plan to meet CFW’s fundraising and brand-raising goals for the Annual Luncheon.

Ensure alignment across communications, fundraising, and programmatic priorities to maximize impact.

Serve as the staff liaison on the board’s External Affairs Committee.

Staff Management/Team Culture

Lead a seven-person team through two direct reports by fostering a culture of success, accountability, collaboration, and high performance across development and communications functions.

Partner with marketing and communications staff to enhance: (1) Media relations and public relations; (2) Digital platforms (website, email, social media); (3) Campaign messaging and content strategy; and (4) Storytelling efforts that elevate the foundation’s impact and amplify grantee partner voices.

Partner with development staff to: (1) Set and achieve fundraising goals; (2) Solicit and steward a small portfolio of supporters; (3) Strengthen donor engagement and stewardship; and (4) Execute annual campaigns and special initiatives.

Participate in organizational meetings, professional development, and required trainings.

Building/Strengthening Systems

Drive digital strategy, marketing technology, and data-informed decision-making.

Assess and advance the Foundation's use of technology, and emerging AI tools to strengthen fundraising, enhance engagement, and improve team operational effectiveness.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree or certification preferred.

10+ years of progressive leadership experience in external affairs, development, or marketing/communications.

Demonstrated experience representing an organization or initiative publicly, including delivering presentations, engaging with media or external stakeholders, and communicating effectively during high-pressure or crisis situations.

Proven experience leading integrated marketing and communications strategies, including brand development, digital engagement, and media relations.

Experience engaging and supporting board members in advancing strategic priorities.

Strong strategic thinker who can operate with significant autonomy while building infrastructure and systems from the ground up.

Demonstrated success in building and executing capital campaigns, including closing principal and major-gift-level investments.

Track record of building and sustaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Experience managing and developing high-performing, cross-functional teams.

Passion for CFW’s mission.

Compensation:

Chicago Foundation for Women offers a competitive compensation package, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, short and long-term disability insurance, and 403 (b) plan with an employer non-elective contribution of 3%. CFW provides the following in paid time off: Fifteen vacation days, fourteen sick days (including annual rollover), four personal days, two floating holidays, twelve organizational holidays, and summer Fridays. In addition to paid time off, CFW offers paid leave and sabbatical policies, along with an annual professional development allowance and membership opportunities. The salary range for this position is $162,754 - $180,838 annually, depending on professional and lived experience.

Application Process:

Interested applicants should apply by submitting a cover letter articulating how their skills and experience align with the responsibilities outlined above, along with a resume.

CFW seeks to fill this position as soon as possible and will work actively to build a diverse pool of candidates.

Work Environment:

This position operates primarily in an accessible office environment. Some work at off-site locations may be required, and those may not necessarily be fully accessible.

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, and filing cabinets.

While performing the duties