Director, Strategy, Growth & Communications - What Work Cities

resultsforamerica; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Results for America (RFA) seeks a Director, Strategy, Growth & Communications to spearhead the What Works Cities growth strategy, expanding reach and impact across current and new markets. This role leads the Strategy, Growth & Communications portfolio and partners with senior leaders to shape expansion, partnerships, and branding.

Based in the United States, Canada, or Latin America, the director will supervise the communications team and translate data-driven insights into storytelling that

Qualifications

• Strong strategic thinking and growth mindset are essential.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and partnerships.
• Ability to translate complex strategies into actionable plans and storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of WWC growth strategy across markets.
• Oversee WWC's Communications team and branding efforts.
• Cultivate partnerships to expand WWC reach and influence internationally.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Growth mindset

Adaptive leadership

Critical thinking

Executive presence

Team building

Job description

Organization Overview

Results for America (RFA) is the leading, national nonprofit organization helping policymakers at all levels of government harness the power of evidence and data to solve the world's greatest challenges. Our mission is to make investing in what works the "new normal," so that, one day, all government leaders use rigorous evidence and quality data to inform important policy and funding decisions. We believe that data-driven and evidence-based policy decisions should be used to increase the impact of the over $2 trillion that governments spend annually to open opportunities and advance economic mobility.

Team Overview

At Results for America, one of our flagship initiatives is What Works Cities (WWC), a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded initiative that helps city governments across North, Central, and South America improve residents' lives by using data and evidence effectively to tackle pressing challenges. To accomplish this, we work directly with city leaders and staff through coaching and implementation support, a range of online and in-person learning opportunities, and a growing professional network. This support is guided by What Works Cities Standard, the first-ever international standard of excellence for data-driven, well-managed local government. What Works Cities Standard assesses cities based on their data-driven decision-making practices, such as whether they are using data to set goals and track progress, allocate funding, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, and achieve desired outcomes from contracts with outside vendors. The program also measures whether cities are publicly and transparently communicating about their use of data and evidence. By aspiring toward What Works Cities Certification and implementing the best practices outlined in the program's criteria, cities across the country are more effectively delivering results for residents. What Works Cities Certification also serves as an international recognition program, which celebrates and accelerates the use of data and evidence in local governments by rewarding achievements and providing a clear path to excellence. Since our launch in 2015, we have helped more than 300 cities make progress on their most pressing issues, from health and public safety to homelessness and blight. WWC is entering an exciting phase as it starts its second decade. The initiative is continuing to scale throughout North, Central, and South America while exploring opportunities to expand into new regions, including Europe and Africa. WWC is developing innovative ways for cities to engage with the initiative while elevating data-driven and evidence-based government practices globally.

Position Overview

The Director, Strategy, Growth & Communications is accountable for the development and execution of What Works Cities' growth strategy, ensuring the initiative continues to expand its reach, influence, and impact across current and emerging markets. This role leads WWC's Strategy, Growth & Communications portfolio and is responsible for guiding expansion, outreach, and partnership development. The Director is accountable for identifying and cultivating pathways for cities to engage with WWC, expanding the initiative's reach and brand influence while advancing opportunities to embed the What Works Cities Standard throughout the local government ecosystem. The Director also oversees WWC's Communications team, and is accountable for the development and implementation of a communications and marketing strategy that elevates WWC's international brand and visibility. The Director will work to advance WWC's mission and value proposition to further build the community of cities and government leaders that make up the WWC network. This role will supervise two vertical leads in the related positions: Associate Director for Strategy & Growth and Associate Director for Strategic Communications. In order for this function to be successful, the individual in this position must work closely with the Senior Vice President & Managing Director, City Experience and the Operations & Planning teams to ensure growth strategies are aligned with organizational priorities, programmatic capacity, and market opportunities. Skills paramount to success in this role requires strong strategic thinking and growth mindset; adaptive leadership; critical thinking; executive presence and inclusive team building. The ability to translate complex data driven strategies into actionable insights, strategies and storytelling to drive growth and impact. This is a full-time, exempt position, based in a home office anywhere within the United States, Canada, and/or Latin America. International travel up to 40% annually may be required.