VP of External Relations & Philanthropy

Description

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversation. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over forty-five programs/services at 18 locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity and respect.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Mission: Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping, and empowering vulnerable individuals, families, and communities toward self-sufficiency.

Job Summary: The Vice President, External Relations & Philanthropy provides strategic leadership for community engagement, government relations, communications, philanthropy, and corporate partnership development. This role advances mission-aligned partnerships while ensuring internal alignment, resident advocacy, and cross-departmental collaboration. The Vice President leads key initiatives, supervises development and engagement staff, and ensures communications reflect trauma-informed, dignity-centered values.

Requirements

 and Responsibilities include the following:

Community & Government Relations – 20%

•Lead engagement with community stakeholders, government entities, and partners.

•Strengthening partnerships supporting coordinated care.

•Convene sectors to advance trauma-informed services.

•Align engagement strategies with organizational goals.

•Oversee RFP processes and contracting opportunities.

•Foster integration with managed care, law enforcement, and courts.

•Monitor legislation and advocate for organizational interests.

Special Project Management – 15%

•Lead cross-functional special projects (FQHC, PACE, ADHC, etc.).

•Ensure alignment of partner strategies with programs.

•Oversee RFP and contracting evaluations.

•Support system integration to improve access and care coordination.

Marketing, Communications & Brand Stewardship – 20%

•Partner with Development to craft impact-focused messaging.

•Manage local media presence and inquiries.

•Ensure communications uphold dignity and respect.

•Lead comprehensive marketing and communications strategy.

•Guide public relations and media engagement.

Internal Alignment & Resident Advocacy – 10%

•Collaborate with leadership to identify resident needs.

•Translate partnerships into benefits for 147 residents.

•Promote a ‘whole campus’ therapeutic culture.

Philanthropy, Strategic Engagement & Advancement – 15%

•Lead Development and Engagement teams.

•Guide community-centered strategies.

•Provide trauma-informed coaching and leadership.

•Advance philanthropic initiatives.

•Cultivate donor, civic, and corporate relationships.

•Oversee strategic engagement activities.

•Ensure efforts improve resident outcomes.

Leadership & Administration – 10%

•Lead and support development, communications, and grants teams.

•Set and monitor KPIs and goals.

•Manage departmental budgets.

•Partner with CEO, Board, and committees.

•Prepare reports on fundraising and communications.

Corporate & Community Engagement – 10%

•Build partnerships with corporate sponsors, congregations, and leaders.

•Develop corporate engagement strategy.

•Represent the organization at events and conferences.

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's required; master’s degree preferred in related fields.

•7+ years of leadership experience in external affairs, development, community relations, government relations, or communications.

•Nonprofit, social services, healthcare, or government experience strongly preferred.

•Proven success in fundraising, public affairs, or partnership development.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (SHRM Core Competencies)

•Relationship Management: Builds trust with stakeholders.

•Communication: Strong written, verbal, media, and presentation skills.

•Leadership & Navigation: Guides teams and organizational initiatives.

•Critical Evaluation: Uses data-informed decision-making.

•Ethical Practice: Demonstrates integrity and confidentiality.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises Development, Community Engagement, Communications, and/or Grants staff, including coaching, evaluations, and trauma-informed leadership support.

Language Ability: Must read, speak, and write fluent English.

Communication: Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with clients and staff.

Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to conduct instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Word Processing software and Spreadsheet software.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently