Valley of the Sun United Way is looking for a Senior Director of Communications and Donor Experience. The Senior Director of Donor Experience of the Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW) is responsible for leading all aspects of the organization's marketing, branding, media and public relations, campaign promotion, crisis communication, and engagement strategies. This role is critical in strengthening VSUW's reputation, expanding community support, and driving philanthropic giving. The Senior Director plans and oversees the work of marketing staff, contractors, and volunteers, ensuring cohesive, strategic communications that position VSUW as a trusted leader, storyteller, and convener in the region-advancing both community impact and organizational objectives. The Senior Director of Communications and Donor Experience will be responsible for the following duties:

Marketing & Branding

•Develop and lead a comprehensive, organization-wide communications, marketing, and branding strategy aligned with VSUW's strategic goals and vision.

•Direct the design and production of all marketing and communications materials-including annual reports, brochures, and publications-from concept to completion, with a strong emphasis on graphic design, layout, typography, and brand consistency.

•Oversee the creation and execution of public awareness and advertising campaigns, including campaign videos and public service announcements, ensuring alignment with brand standards and key messaging.

•Manage all advertising efforts across electronic, print, and broadcast platforms to maximize visibility and community engagement.

•Safeguard and promote the VSUW brand, ensuring consistent application of national and local brand guidelines across all materials and platforms.

Strategic Communication

•Lead the development and execution of clear, consistent communication strategies that translate complex initiatives and information into accessible messaging tailored to diverse audiences, including donors, partners, staff, volunteers, and the broader community.

•Craft and manage internal and external communications that support strategic planning efforts, ensuring stakeholders-from board members to frontline staff-understand organizational priorities, direction, and impact.

•Ensure clarity and alignment across all levels of communication, fostering transparency, unity, and shared understanding throughout the organization and among community stakeholders.

•Partner with senior leadership to position VSUW as a trusted source of information, thought leadership, and community collaboration.

•Media Relations

•Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with media contacts as well as advertising representatives from the print, electronic, and broadcast media.

•Serve as the primary media contact, responding to press inquiries in partnership with the Chief of Staff to ensure accurate, timely, and strategic communication.

•Coordinate with VSUW Executive Team or the preparation of news releases and press coverage related to VSUW.

•Events Management

•Collaborate the planning and execution of mission-driven events in close collaboration with internal teams and external partners, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, brand standards, and stakeholder engagement objectives.

•Coordinate cross-departmental efforts to produce high-quality events that enhance visibility, strengthen community connections, and support donor cultivation.

Writing & Editing

•Collaborate the planning and execution of mission-driven events in close collaboration with internal teams and external partners, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, brand standards, and stakeholder engagement objectives.

•Coordinate cross-departmental efforts to produce high-quality events that enhance visibility, strengthen community connections, and support donor cultivation.

Digital Media

•Lead the development and execution of a digital marketing strategy to increase brand visibility, community engagement, and donor support.

•Manage and curate content across all social media platforms to ensure consistent voice and mission alignment.

•Oversee the maintenance and optimization of the organization's website, ensuring up-to-date content, usability, and brand consistency.

Collaboration & Team Support

•Coordinate and support the Marketing Committee, engaging community experts to review and strengthen the organization's marketing and communications strategies.

•Actively contribute to organizational planning, including the development of the strategic plan, operational initiatives, and annual budget, ensuring marketing is integrated into broader decision-making.

•Support Board engagement by providing timely, strategic communications that keep members informed, aligned, and equipped to serve as ambassadors of the organization.

•Remain competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the Chief of Staff and the CEO.

•Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all other duties as assigned.

Project Management

•Lead complex projects across marketing and communications initiatives, from concept to execution, using structured project management tools and strategies to ensure deadlines, budgets, and objectives are met.

•Develop and maintain detailed project timelines, assigning roles and responsibilities, tracking progress, and proactively addressing any risks or barriers to success.

•Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to align teams around shared goals, ensure accountability, and deliver high-quality results.

•Continuously evaluate project outcomes to inform future planning and process improvements..

•Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Education & Experience

•Bachelor's degree in English, Marketing, Public Relations, or Communications field required; Master's degree preferred.

•Minimum of ten years' experience in increasingly responsible marketing and communications positions. Experience in marketing for fundraising preferred.

•Excellent writing, editing, presenting, and verbal communication skills.

•Excellent relationship-building skills and ability to engage and influence a variety of diverse groups/individuals.

•Experience working in collaboration with print and broadcast media leaders and managing volunteer relationships.

•Ability to lead or support teams of experts in cause marketing, media, advertising, event management, and creative arts.

•Proven ability to direct and manage department staff and internal systems for effective achievement of strategic goals, budget management, and delivery of marketing materials as needed and on time.