Chief External Affairs Officer

Chief External Affairs Officer

Location : This position is remote, but candidates must be based in or within regular commuting distance of the Washington, D.C . metropolitan area.

Reports to : Founding Executive Chairman & CEO

Overview

A multi-state nonprofit organization with almost a billion dollars of consolidated annual revenue seeks a Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) to focus on collaboration, advocacy, education, and innovation to improve access, quality, and sustainability of care for marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented citizens.

The CEAO will also lead the development, launch, and positioning of a newly planned national organization dedicated to strengthening the systems that support health and social services across the United States. During the initial incubation period, while the new entity is being formed and funded, the CEAO will oversee the strategic, policy, and groundwork that will support the new organization’s eventual establishment. Upon formation, this role is intended to transition into the organization’s Chief Executive Officer.

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of policy expertise, external affairs leadership, sector insight, and entrepreneurial drive to launch and lead a new national presence that can impact health and human services, public policy, and system reform.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership : Develop and advance the vision, multi-year strategy, and organizational framework for the emerging national platform, ensuring alignment with its long-term mission to strengthen the effectiveness, stability, and voice of the health and human services sector.

Policy and Public Affairs : Develop and implement governmental affairs strategies. Lead coordinated efforts to influence public policy, funding, and regulations affecting service providers and the individuals they serve.

Engagement : Cultivate a broad network of organizational partners, supporters, and stakeholders. Develop engagement strategies reflective of a collaborative model of inclusivity.

External Relations and Funding : Establish and steward relationships with leaders in government, philanthropy, industry, and the nonprofit sector. Develop and pursue diverse funding pathways including grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and alternative pathways to ensure sustainability. Serve as the primary spokesperson and relationship-builder with key stakeholders in government, philanthropy, and the private sector.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in health and human services, public policy, external affairs, government relations, or related field.
• Success in developing and executing advocacy or public-policy strategies at state and federal levels.
• Deep understanding of the regulatory, funding, and operational dynamics of human services systems.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and coalition-management skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with record of launching, scaling, or transforming organizations, networks, or major initiatives.
• Advanced degree in related field preferred.

Application and Compensation

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

Please submit a resume or CV detailing relevant experience, along with a cover letter describing their vision for impact and compensation expectations.