Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer

About Us

At Girl Scouts Nation's Capital, we build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. We are seeking an exceptional and inclusive leader to serve as our Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer (CSO). Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the CSO will play a pivotal role in shaping and guiding the Council’s long-term vision and sustainability, integrating external relations, fundraising, and strategic initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to drive organizational growth while aligning external partnerships and philanthropy with internal goals to advance our mission.

Position Overview

The CSO will be a strategic and visionary leader with deep experience in philanthropy, communications, and organizational development. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CSO will oversee the Council’s philanthropy, marketing and communications, and strategic initiatives efforts. This individual will also spearhead initiatives to diversify revenue streams, elevate the Girl Scout brand, and engage communities across the Greater Washington Region, which includes the District of Columbia and 25 counties in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The CSO will lead cross-functional teams and work to unify external engagement strategies with Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital’s broader organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the CEO and senior leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive long-term strategy for growth and sustainability.
• Lead the integration of external relations, partnerships, and donor engagement with organizational strategy, ensuring cohesion between external and internal goals.
• Inspire innovative thinking across departments, identifying new opportunities to grow and diversify revenue streams.
• Drive community and stakeholder engagement initiatives, ensuring culturally competent strategies to connect with diverse populations.

Fundraising and Philanthropy

• Develop and implement strategies to grow leadership and major gifts, cultivating donations of six to seven figures.
• Oversee efforts to diversify revenue streams, including innovative approaches like peer-to-peer fundraising and crowdfunding.
• Enhance donor retention through data-driven management strategies and by deepening relationships with existing donors.
• Lead the expansion of the annual campaign, ensuring growth in donor numbers and addressing donor attrition.

Marketing and Communications

• Lead the Council’s marketing and communications strategies to increase visibility and strengthen public perception of the Girl Scouts brand.
• Oversee campaigns such as "Once a Girl Scout, Always a Girl Scout" to reactivate and engage over 1 million Girl Scouts in the region.
• Manage crisis communications and ensure readiness to protect the Council’s brand and reputation.
• Utilize data and analytics to refine marketing efforts, ensuring performance-driven outcomes aligned with Council goals.

Administrative Management

• Lead and develop high-performing, cross-functional teams to support organizational growth and innovation.
• Manage budgets, track key performance indicators, and ensure that all external affairs activities are aligned with strategic objectives.
• Regularly report progress and outcomes to ensure transparency and accountability.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic leadership, fundraising, and communications.
• Demonstrated success managing high-performing teams and cultivating leadership gifts, including six- and seven-figure donations.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with a focus on community engagement and inclusivity.
• Experience in innovative revenue diversification strategies and donor retention programs.

Some of Our Benefits

• 100% employer-paid HMO health insurance for employees (dependent coverage, POS, dental/vision available).
• 3% employer contribution to 403(b), plus additional 2% match.
• Generous paid leave benefits.
• Paid holidays/office closures include: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and December 26-31. The Presidential Inauguration Day is also an observed holiday on January 20th every four years. One floating holiday, annually.
• A vibrant workplace with a diverse staff who are dedicated to a common mission to make a difference in our community through Girl Scouting. Click here to read our bi-monthly staff newsletter to take a closer look.

Find out more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility at this link.

This full-time position offers a competitive salary, starting at $200,000, commensurate with experience.

When joining Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital in a benefit-eligible position, you will enjoy the following generous package:

• 3 health insurance options (The Council pays the full monthly premium for individual coverage in the HMO or HMO/HSA and contributes $84.73 per pay period to the HSA for employees on that plan.)
• Dental and vision plan
• 100% employer-paid life and AD&D insurance
• 100% employer-paid long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary employee-paid short-term disability insurance
• Immediate, 100% vested, employer contribution of 3% to 403(b) plan
• 403(b) match of 2% available after 12 months of employment (3 year vesting)
• A generous paid vacation policy (0-1 year = 15 days; 1-3 years = 18 days; >3 years = 24 days)
• 11 paid holidays, annually – PLUS office closure December 26-31
• 12 paid sick days, annually
• 10 paid New Child Leave days for qualifying staff
• Flexible spending plans for certain medical and dependent care expenses
• Employee assistance program
• Metro SmartBenefits® (pretax transportation program)
• Garage parking at our main office, conveniently paid through pretax payroll deduction