Chief of External Affairs Officer (PPCW) & Executive Director (PPAO)

Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (PPCW) is recruiting for a Chief of External Affairs Officer & Executive Director (Planned Parenthood Action Oregon) to join our leadership team! 

When you work for Planned Parenthood, you make a difference in the lives of those we serve by affirming the human right to reproductive health care and freedom. Our mission is to provide, promote, and protect access to sexual and reproductive health care. PPCW is the largest non-profit family planning and reproductive rights organization in Oregon and Southwest Washington.  

About the Role: This position serves a dual role as the Executive Director (ED) of Planned Parenthood Action Oregon (PPAO) and the Chief of External Affairs at Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (PPCW).

As Executive Director, this role leads the organization's government relations (501(c)4), health care advocacy, and community engagement initiatives across Oregon, serving two member organizations, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (PPCW) and Planned Parenthood Southwestern Oregon (PPSO). Additionally, the ED collaborates with Planned Parenthood Advocates Alliance (PPAA) in Washington State. As the primary leader on legislative and regulatory issues within Oregon, the ED manages staff, budgets, and compliance across all program areas. Key responsibilities include direct health care advocacy, legislative and regulatory lobbying, political development, alliance and coalition building, statewide communications and marketing, C4 and PAC fundraising, overseeing the statewide political action committee, and managing grassroots programs. The ED is tasked with building and maintaining a high-functioning team through hiring, coaching, and supervision, raising funds for PPAO and the PAC, reporting to the PPAO board of directors, and ensuring that all efforts promote reproductive health equity.

As the Chief of External Affairs, this role serves as a vital member of the PPCW Organizational Leadership team, responsible for developing and implementing the external affairs strategy across Oregon and Southwest Washington. This position provides executive leadership for PPCW internally and externally, ensuring overall organizational success. This role encompasses executive oversight of public affairs, communications, marketing, education, volunteers, and includes a dotted-line supervisory structure to the Development Team, shared with the CEO. The Chief of External Affairs/ED of the c4 must lead, mentor, coach, and supervise direct reports, using emotional intelligence and building respectful relationships with staff. The Chief of External Affairs manages staff, budgets, and compliance in all program areas, working to ensure the success of the CEO, the organization, and PPCW’s mission by aligning external affairs strategy and functionality with organizational goals.

Schedule Expectations: This is a full-time position, (40 hours/week), Monday – Friday. Schedule details and hybrid work options will be discussed in the interview process.

Qualifications: At PPCW, we are committed to finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may come from a variety of backgrounds. We value your lived experience as well as your work experience and encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every qualification. We encourage you to think creatively about your transferable skills, qualities, and experiences and how they could connect to the role you are applying to. Additionally, we encourage applications from Black, Indigenous and People of Color, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, women and others who have been historically marginalized. 

Required Qualifications: 

• 8-10 years’ experience in organizing nonprofit advocacy programs or political campaigns.
• 8-10 years’ experience leading cross-functional teams to meet organizational goals.
• Proven record of successful collaboration and partnership with external leaders, diverse communities, a multicultural workforce, and various constituents and entities.
• Experience working on issues affecting communities most impacted by health inequities, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, immigrants, refugees, people living in rural areas, and people with disabilities.
• Experience in project management and tracking legislation.
• Proven experience and success in developing donor relationships and securing major gifts.
• Ability to travel throughout Oregon as needed, attend in-person meetings as requested, work a combination of in-person and remote as the position requires, and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Knowledge of political landscape within Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Strong computer skills, including database (e.g. EveryAction) and internet proficiency.

Total Rewards: The full wage range for this position is $180,003 to $220,001 annually. At PPCW we’re proud to calculate a wage offer based on candidate experience, rather than negotiate an offer which leads to pay inequity. New hire wage placement typically does not exceed the midpoint of the wage range. You'll receive a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salaries, health insurance, retirement plans, and more. Our benefits include: 

• 25 days of annual paid time off (increases with tenure) 
• 9 paid holidays  
• Paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.  
• 403b retirement account and 6% employer match 
• Employee assistance program (confidential counseling and resources)  
• Ongoing professional development  

Physical Requirements:

• Regularly uses a computer and other office equipment.
• Travel on occasion and attend in person meetings as requested. 
• Work a hybrid schedule of in person and remote, as position requires. 
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Location: This position is hybrid/telework, meaning you will be working both remotely and in-person at a PPCW location and within the community and various settings. All PPCW employees must reside in Oregon or Washington. The onsite work location for this position is our administrative offices at Flanagan Regional Service Center in Northeast Portland, OR.   

Essential Functions:

External Affairs Advocacy:

• Align the advocacy agenda within Planned Parenthood Action Oregon to serve 501(c)(3) strategic priorities.
• Identify and influence state legislative and regulatory actions impacting 501(c)(3) reproductive healthcare and education.
• Develop and execute a proactive public policy agenda enhancing Planned Parenthood’s visibility, image, and influence in reproductive rights and other healthcare issues.
• Maintain relationships with elected officials and serve as the primary spokesperson to legislators and coalition partners for Planned Parenthood Action Oregon member affiliates, keeping groups up to date through briefings, meetings, and forums on Planned Parenthood issues
• Oversee and track lobbying activities and assure overall compliance with appropriate local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Update the affiliate on legislative and political issues and advise the CEOs and PPAO board on legislative and healthcare advocacy strategy.
• Collaborate with executive, clinical, operational, and financial leadership of member affiliates to develop and advocate policy positions and execute legislative and regulatory strategies.
• Maintain expertise on reproductive health-specific issues, including abortion provision, reproductive health policy, provider reimbursement, drug dispensing, medical provider networks, and reproductive health education.
• Establish and develop strategic relationships with coalition partners, within the parameters of c3 interest. 
• Monitor activities of the State and Federal Legislature and governmental entities on issues of importance to Planned Parenthoods in Oregon.
• Supervise the maintenance of EveryAction and other databases for activists, volunteers, and mailing lists.
• Recruit, onboard, supervise PPAO/PPCW shared-staff, anticipated #5-15 people

Development:

• Collaborate with the VP of Development on consistent advocacy messages for donor relations.
• With the CEO, help to provide executive oversight of fundraising goals and priorities, build and strengthen relationships with fundraising base, speak at events, and support grant application development

Communications and Marketing:

• Lead Oregon and SW Washington communications strategy for PPCW.
• Develop and oversee an integrated communication strategy for internal, external, and statewide communications. 
• Work with media relations to boost visibility and influence opinion through media campaigns.
• Manage crisis communication, guiding the organization through public relations challenges.
• Collaborate with the marketing team on patient acquisition, promoting Planned Parenthood services, and driving advocacy efforts.
• Lead communication strategies and campaigns to increase reach and engagement with target audiences.

Education:

• Provide executive-level visioning, leadership, and expertise to the education program.
• Oversee the implementation of educational strategies, aligning organizational goals. 
• Ensure educational programs are accessible, inclusive, and meet the needs of diverse communities.
• Advocate for and secure funding to support and expand educational impact.

Your application, resume, and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how they are related to those shown in the overview and qualifications sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may determine your eligibility for an interview.  

Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, application for workers’ compensation benefits, use of statutory protected leave, veteran or military status, pregnancy, union activity, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Planned Parenthood is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.