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About StartOut

StartOut is the leading national non-profit focused on supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. StartOuts mission is to accelerate the growth of the LGBTQ+ community to drive its economic empowerment, building a world where every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has equal access to lead, succeed, and shape the workforce of the future.

Founded in 2009, StartOut is a global community of over 25K members and is the largest organization supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. We serve all growth entrepreneurs of the LGBTQ+ community regardless of ethnicity, identity, or gender. Our membership is diverse in gender, race, identity, geographic location, and industries. To level the playing field and have a measurable impact, we offer a highly subsidized suite of successful programs to founders, including our investor portal, the StartOut GrowthLab (our 5-month accelerator), a mentorship program with over 1,000 matches to date, expert office hours, virtual and in-person events nationwide, and community building.

StartOut is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging both within our own organization and within the LGBTQ+ and entrepreneurial communities. This includes inclusive hiring practices, an organizational commitment to equitable and inclusive conduct (outlined in our Code of Conduct,) and initiatives and programs to increase equitable outcomes, especially for female-identified, BIPOC, and Trans/GNC community members.

Additionally, StartOut is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, neurotype, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status. In order to promote and support diversity at every level, this policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, members, and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public.

About the Role

StartOut's Chief Communications Officer (CCO) creates and leads an ambitious and thorough multi-year communications strategy to further the StartOut mission, brand and message. Specifically, the CCO manages StartOuts communications, marketing, thought leadership, insights and publications, and community outreach/volunteer plans. This role manages a team currently consisting of 7 members.

As a member of the StartOut Leadership Team, you will provide needed insight and advice to the CEO and across all departments (Operations, Programs, Development, People). StartOuts five-year strategic plan includes an ambitious growth agenda of which you will be an integral part in achieving, including thinking strategically about how to grow your team and impact, as well as the overall organization and impact.

Responsibilities

Thought Leadership and Communications (35%)

• Develop, launch and implement a comprehensive, actionable communications plan to establish StartOut as a national leader in the LGBTQ+ and entrepreneurial spaces.
  • Lead strategic brand planning, research and analysis to maximize and measure impact.
• Drive and secure regular PR opportunities and projects to further StartOuts mission including media placement (print, television, online), awards, conference presentations and in collaboration with partner groups.
• Hone StartOuts brand, voice and narrative, ensuring all team members and key constituents are prepared to serve as ambassadors for the organization and the mission.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to StartOut leadership and team, including managing rapid response and crisis communications when required.
• Lead internal communications together with the CEO and Chief People Officer to foster a positive and transparent workplace culture that develops employee understanding, engagement and retention.
• Work closely with Development and Operations teams on strategic initiatives to attract and grow partnerships and fundraising with StartOut.
• Grow the impact of the StartOut Pride Economic Impact Index - leveraging this cutting edge database to inform constituents, partners and media on the challenges facing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.
  • Work with the Director of Insights and Publications to develop and launch a communications strategy around this key asset and future related assets.
• Manage in-person communications at key events and appearances.

Marketing (10%)

• Develop and oversee marketing strategy, together with the Marketing team.
• Integrate marketing efforts to all parts of the organization, including fundraising opportunities.
• Ensure all marketing channels deliver brand consistency and continue growth trajectory.
• Work with the Marketing team to guide and grow digital marketing efforts.
• Identify and create new partner opportunities for StartOut to further our brand and mission.

Community Engagement (20%)

• Develop and oversee organization-wide public engagement strategy, together with the Community and Volunteer Manager, Chief Operating Officer, Program team members and Development team members.
• Identify and secure new engagement opportunities and partnerships for organization.
• Ensure all community engagement and education opportunities meet brand expectations and align with overall communications strategy.
• Work with the CEO to determine travel and public appearance schedules to maximize in-person engagement opportunities.

Team Management/Organizational Leadership (35%)

• Supervise and foster the growth and development of the Communications Department team members. Serve as direct manager of Marketing Manager, Community & Volunteer Manager and Director of Insights and Publications.
• Serve as a member of the Leadership team, providing insights, advice, council and action on organizational-wide planning and strategies.
• Together with the Leadership team, create a culture of learning, trust and accountability across the entire organization.
• Manage contractors and contractual relationships.
• Design and track team and individual KPIs to ensure impact.
• Create and manage departmental annual budgets.

DEIB (100% - integrated throughout all work at StartOut)

• Consistently demonstrate commitment to valuing and elevating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Listen and ask questions to learn and challenge yourself.
• Take and provide constructive feedback from all levels and spaces.
• Incorporate principles of DEIB into all department planning, management and deliverables as outlined above.
• Commit to StartOuts vision of an equitable and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem

Requirements

Experience and Qualifications

• 8+ years experience in communications, marketing and related fields, including experience as a people manager.
• Direct work in the national entrepreneurial and/or tech ecosystem.
• Experience and/or understanding of the challenges facing LGBTQ+ people.
• Track record of demonstrated success in a majority of areas outlined in job responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Curiosity, transparency, collaboration and an appreciation for learning from others.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal and supervisory skills, including vertical and horizontal people management skills.
• Superb written and verbal communication skills, including editing skills.
• Background in startup space, tech sector or related industry - including deep knowledge and connections to industry-focused media.
• Passionate and/or experience in supporting underrepresented communities, especially the LGBTQ+ community and underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• Project management expertise, delivering high-quality products on time.
• Uses data to define and measure impact.
• Makes decisions and acts with clarity, including under pressure or when faced with competing priorities.
• Proactive, committed, and positive attitude while working with diverse team members.
• Works well with others, while bringing your full authentic self to the table.
• Pride in who you are and the mission of StartOut.

This is a fully remote position but requires some travel, around 4-6x/year. Preference may be given to candidates in San Francisco, Los Angeles and NYC media markets, but not required. Applicants must be based in the contiguous US. StartOut is unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.

Status: Exempt

Reports to: CEO

Supervises: 3 direct report, 4 indirect reports with potential for growth

Benefits

• $105,000-$120,000 annually depending on location
• Up to $15,000 annual bonus depending on team and individual KPI performance
• Unlimited time off
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan for tax-advantaged retirement-saving
• Work from home equipment & professional development stipends