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Director of External Affairs

Position Summary

The Director of External Affairs will play a critical role supporting stakeholder management, including the board of directors, in support of Upstream’s impact and growth trajectory.  Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Director of External Affairs will be a seasoned relationship manager who is able to leverage their skills in designing and implementing strategies to cultivate and engage a range of stakeholders that influence Upstream’s current and future impact.  The Director will also need to partner effectively with leaders across the organization to support external relationship management. The role requires familiarity with pipeline management and the systems and processes that support relationship management within teams and organizations. Attention to detail, strong relationship management instincts, awareness of nonprofits and philanthropy and high-levels of discretion are critical for this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Oversee the implementation of Upstream’s broader commitment to relationship management, including partnership with internal business units and coordination across functions
  • Manage a portfolio of key stakeholder relationships on behalf of the CEO and other Upstream leaders, including the Board of Directors
  • Prepare a range of talking points, materials and correspondence to support stakeholder relationships
  • Provide mentorship to an 8-person team responsible for development and external affairs, stepping in for VP for Development when necessary
  • In partnership with the Senior Leadership Team, ensure that Upstream’s Board of Directors is engaged and leveraged on behalf of Upstream’ mission and aspirations
  • Manage a direct report: an influencer officer/board liaison
  • Collaborate with the Investor Relations Director to leverage stakeholders to support investor relations and fundraising goals
  • Collaborate with the Senior Manager, Development Operations to operationalize stakeholder management within Upstream’s externally facing leaders

Required Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • 8 – 10 years of stakeholder management experience with increasing levels of responsibility, including roles focused on direct relationship management and managing or supporting teams with stakeholder management responsibilities. Some experience with high-net worth individuals preferred; other relevant experience includes external affairs, policy advocacy, sales, investor relations, development/fundraising, and/or stakeholder management.
  • Exceptional project management ability with experience leading a team, delegating responsibilities, and managing up
  • Demonstrated ability to operate with a high-degree of urgency, self-motivation, focus on goals and commitment to high-quality work
  • Exceptional writing ability, including a range of talking points and correspondence across leadership voices and functions
  • Keen attention to detail with a team orientation
  • Entrepreneurial systems-thinker
  • Comfort in an internally facing role as well as with external audiences
  • Commitment to Upstream’s mission and to mission driven work
  • Skilled communicator and influencer; ability to influence without authority
  • Ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines and to develop strategy based on data
  • Awareness of the latest trends and industry practices in healthcare, public health or gender equity
  • Ability to effectively deliver and receive both positive and constructive feedback
  • Proficiency with Salesforce, Google and Microsoft Suites
  • Sense of humor
  • Able to attend work related in-person meetings and functions as needed (Upstream employees are required to be fully vaccinated to attend in-person work-related activities. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with a sincerely held religious belief or disability who are not vaccinated.)

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