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About the Organization

At Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity, we believe that everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. Guided by Habitat for Humanity's mission of putting God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope, we partner with hardworking families throughout Northeast Ohio to create pathways to homeownership while strengthening neighborhoods and building brighter futures. As one of the largest Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the country, we are committed to expanding access to affordable housing and creating lasting change in the communities we serve.

Today, we are experiencing an exciting season of growth and momentum. Through ambitious housing initiatives, expanding community partnerships, and increasing investment in affordable housing, we are well-positioned to broaden our impact across the region. This is an exciting opportunity to join our executive leadership team and help elevate our visibility, strengthen philanthropic support, deepen strategic partnerships, and advance a mission that is transforming lives—one family and one neighborhood at a time.

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to join one of the nation's leading Habitat for Humanity affiliates at a pivotal time in its history. As Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity continues to expand its impact across Northeast Ohio, the Chief External Relations Officer will play a central role in shaping how the organization is seen, supported, and engaged throughout the community.

Reporting directly to the President & CEO and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CERO will have the opportunity to influence organizational strategy while leading an integrated portfolio that includes fundraising, marketing, communications, government affairs, community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and special events. This is far more than a traditional development leadership role; it is an opportunity to serve as one of the organization's primary ambassadors, helping to strengthen relationships, elevate the Habitat brand, and inspire greater investment in a mission that transforms lives through affordable homeownership.

For a collaborative, relationship-driven executive who enjoys building teams, cultivating meaningful partnerships, and creating lasting community impact, this role offers the chance to help shape the next chapter of one of Northeast Ohio's most respected nonprofit organizations.

Position Summary

The Chief External Relations Officer (CERO) serves as a key member of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity's executive leadership team, partnering closely with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to advance the organization's mission, visibility, and long-term sustainability. This executive leader will provide strategic oversight of fundraising, marketing, communications, government affairs, community engagement, volunteerism, and gift-in-kind partnerships while helping shape the organization's external presence throughout Northeast Ohio.

As the organization's chief ambassador, the CERO will cultivate meaningful relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, government leaders, volunteers, and community partners, ensuring that every external touchpoint reflects the mission and impact of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. This is an exceptional opportunity for a collaborative, visionary leader to build upon an already strong foundation, elevate the organization's profile, and help expand its reach and influence as it enters an exciting season of growth.

Key Responsibilities 

• Leads Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity's external communications, partnerships, policy advocacy, and fundraising efforts to enhance organizational visibility, public perception, influence, strategic impact, strengthens public trust and addresses community concerns.

• Collaborates with the executive leadership team to support overall business strategies and objectives.

• Aligns external engagement with strategic objectives by expanding impact, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and navigating external environments effectively.

• Oversees efforts to guide and execute a marketing plan for all branding strategies to promote and enhance Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity's message to key audiences while ensuring consistent messaging.

• Actively pursues opportunities to increase Habitat's brand awareness and impact and manage public engagement-driven projects.

• Collaborates with internal departments to align external relation efforts, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), and organizational goals. Responsible for public relations, marketing materials, and local media relations.

• In conjunction with the CEO, establishes annual development strategies to support general operations and oversees the planning and execution of special fundraising initiatives, such as campaigns to raise dollars for capital, programmatic and endowment programs.

• Creates an annual strategy to promote and increase the organization's support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources.

• Optimizes the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individuals, corporations, and foundations.

• Leads and manages all aspects of the fundraising program, including major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, capital campaigns, special events, and grant writing.

• Develops and implements a donor-centered fundraising approach that builds strong relationships with donors, emphasizes the organization's mission and impact, and encourages donor engagement and investment.

• Assures organizational compliance with generally accepted fundraising principles, financial reporting requirements, and ethical codes of professional conduct.

• Directs activities related to the identification of potential donors, developing relationships and acquiring valuable donations and/or professional services from current and future gift-in-kind donors on behalf of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity.

• Provides detailed fundraising progress reports to the CEO and Board.

• Builds and maintains relationships on behalf of the organization, connecting others to the mission of Greater Cleveland Habitat and educating the public to enhance fundraising efforts.

• Oversees community relations activities related to the planning, organizing, managing of all aspects of special events, developing, and maintaining community partnerships and sponsoring and supporting community events.

• Develops comprehensive government affairs strategies, advocacy, action plans, as well as partner engagement. Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for partnerships and collaborations with government entities. Provides guidance over strategic advocacy efforts and the cultivation of positive relationships with elected officials, public entities, and quasi-public stakeholders.

• Represents the organization at public meetings, industry conferences, and stake holder events.

• Collects, analyzes, evaluates data to ensure the effectiveness of initiatives.

• Participates in the annual orientation of new board members.

• Directly supervises and supports the development, gift-in-kind, government affairs, marketing, special events, and volunteer teams to ensure the optimization of each team member.

• Hires, trains, coaches, mentors, and supervises the activities of direct reports. Evaluates staff performance. Holds direct reports accountable for meeting objectives by ensuring that performance aligns with expectations.

• Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, or related field of study.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of external-facing leadership-level experience, including a combination of development, fundraising, marketing, public relations, government affairs, strategic planning and communications, and community engagement.

• Minimum of three (3) years of strong management and/or team leadership experience, including hiring, training, coaching, performance management, and disciplinary action.

• Previous experience in a nonprofit setting.

• Ability to create strategic multiyear strategies while building consensus among stakeholders to achieve organizational goals.

• Familiarity with current nonprofit marketing and fundraising practices.

• A demonstrated passion for the organization's mission and fundraising, with a deep understanding of and commitment to the values and principles of the nonprofit sector.

• Proven experience leading grant writing programs and securing funding from a variety of sources, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, with a track record of achieving fundraising goals.

• Prior experience in public speaking and the ability to represent the organization to a variety of stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and partner organizations.

• Strong communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, relationship management, and collaboration skills.

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver against deadlines while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.

• Possesses the flexibility necessary to adapt, respond, and meet the needs of the organization.

• Ability to foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the respective teams and across the organization.

• Demonstrated ability to develop positive, productive professional relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Customer service commitment, interpersonal skills in working with colleagues and external constituents.

• Ability to succeed and thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and judgment.

• Ability to maintain effective cross-sector communication.

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Blackbaud Raiser's Edge for Windows system.

• Commitment to Greater Cleveland Humanity for Humanity's mission and the principles of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).

• Must possess reliable transportation and a current Ohio driver's license with a satisfactory driving record and ability to be insurable under commercial insurance.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in relevant field of study.

• Ten years of demonstrated experience in external affairs.

• A certificate in fundraising management or CFRE designation is an asset.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This position primarily operates in a professional office environment with standard office equipment. Some travel for meetings or conferences. However, the role also requires occasional work in outdoor environments, particularly during home visits. Candidates must be comfortable occasionally navigating active construction sites and community event settings, sometimes in varying weather conditions. Occasional standing and walking required.

Salary & Benefits

Compensation for the Chief External Relations Officer includes a competitive salary of $130,000-$140,000, commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; a health savings account (HSA); a 401(k) with employer match; employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short- and long-term disability coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); generous paid time off and holidays; professional development opportunities; and employee discounts at the ReStore.

To Apply

Interested applicants should send a resume and a statement of interest to Ryan Rasmussen, Recruiter at rrasmussen@thinkingahead.com.

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and mission-driven workplace. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected status.