CHATTANOOGA GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INC

VP Engagement and Philanthropy

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Who is Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area?

Since 1923, Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area helps people transform potential into opportunity! With 17 store locations and a service territory of 23 counties in two states, our timeless social enterprise is a win, win, win for all.

  • Individuals with barriers to employment get help securing meaningful jobs.
  • Donors see a social return for their donations helping people secure work and keeping unwanted items out of landfills.
  • Shoppers get great prices on the goods they want, and in the process, give a hand up to people in their community.

How do we accomplish our mission? We provide education and career services as well as on the job training to persons with barriers to employment such as multi-generational poverty, history of incarceration, limited education, and no work experience.

Why should you join Chattanooga Goodwill?

  • Friendly work environment with co-workers who appreciate working with each other.
  • Employee discount.
  • 401K and Roth retirement plans with matching contribution after eligibility.
  • Skills and development opportunities.
  • For Full time employees:
    • Dental and vision insurance Company Paid for employee.
    • Basic life insurance 1.5 times salary, Company Paid for employee.
    • Primary Care through TextCare- Company Paid for household.
    • Voluntary Benefits such as Term life Insurance, Disability Insurances, and ID Theft
    • Medical Insurance and Health Savings Account
    • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program, Potential of up to three weeks during the first year

What will The Vice President of Engagement and Philanthropy do?

The Vice President of Engagement & Philanthropy provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area’s engagement ecosystem—including marketing, communications, branding, public relations, advocacy, fundraising, and community engagement.

This role ensures that all internal and external touchpoints reflect a consistent, compelling, and mission-aligned narrative that strengthens brand awareness, deepens community relationships, increases donor investment, and enhances organizational culture.

Serving as a key member of the leadership team, the VP translates organizational priorities into integrated engagement and philanthropy strategies that connect retail performance, mission outcomes, and community impact into a unified story that inspires support and drives measurable results.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Mission, Vision, and Values Alignment

· Through words and actions support Chattanooga Goodwill’s Mission, Vision, and Values; furthermore, actions and decisions will align with organizational guiding principles.

· Maintain agency, employee, and participants confidentiality. Violation of confidentiality may be cause for termination.

· Champion and model Goodwill’s Mission, Vision, and Values in all engagement strategies and communications.

· Ensure all messaging and experiences reinforce the organization’s purpose: transforming potential into opportunity.

· Promote stewardship, transparency, and service excellence across all engagement activities.

· Ensure messaging and stakeholder experiences reinforce the organization’s purpose.

Executive Leadership & Strategy

· Provide leadership and oversight for marketing, communications, branding, public relations, advocacy, and fund development functions.

· Partner with the President & CEO and executive leadership to align engagement strategies with organizational priorities.

· Serve as a strategic advisor on brand strategy, stakeholder engagement, and philanthropic growth.

· Develop short- and long-range strategies aligned with mission, vision, and strategic plan.

Marketing, Brand, and Communications

· Oversee development and execution of integrated marketing and communications strategies.

· Serve as chief brand steward, ensuring brand integrity and alignment with mission and values.

· Lead messaging strategy across digital, social, print, and internal platforms.

· Drive storytelling efforts that connect retail operations to mission outcomes (“story behind the store”).

Philanthropy & Fund/Donor Engagement

· Partner with the Donor Engagement & Experience Manager in the development and advancement of strategies that strengthen donor acquisition (donors of household goods), engagement, and retention strategies.

· Develop and lead a comprehensive fund development program including fundraising, grant development, sponsorships, and donor engagement (monetary).

· Create and execute strategies for donor acquisition, retention, and relationship development.

· Develop compelling cases for support tied to program outcomes and community impact.

· Partner with leadership and the Board to strengthen philanthropic investment, community relationships, and long-term sustainability.

Public Relations, Advocacy & Community Engagement

· Lead public relations strategy, including media relations, reputation management, and advocacy initiatives.

· Develop partnerships with community leaders, government officials, and stakeholders to advance mission visibility.

· Represent the organization at community, business, and civic events to increase awareness and engagement.

· Drive advocacy efforts that support public policy and community impact initiatives.

· Cultivate strategic partnerships that expand mission reach, community impact, and organizational sustainability.

Organizational Events & Experiential Engagement

· Oversee planning and execution of organizational events, including fundraising, relationship-building, community engagement events, and internal celebrations.

· Ensure events align with strategic goals and deliver measurable engagement and fundraising outcomes.

· Strengthen stakeholder experience through meaningful, mission-driven engagement opportunities.

Internal Engagement & Culture Communication

· Develop internal communication strategies that drive employee engagement and alignment.

· Ensure leadership messaging is clear, consistent, and mission focused.

· Support recognition, storytelling, and culture-building initiatives.

Data, Analytics & Continuous Improvement

· Establish KPIs to measure engagement effectiveness (brand awareness, donor growth, campaign ROI, etc.).

· Analyze data to refine strategies and improve results.

· Lead continuous improvement across all engagement and philanthropy functions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

· Serve as a connector across departments to ensure alignment of messaging and engagement strategies.

· Translate operational and programmatic outcomes into meaningful external and internal communications.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION

· Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Policy, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

· Minimum of 10 years of experience in marketing, communications, or related field, with at least 5 years in senior leadership.

· Demonstrated experience leading marketing, communications, and/or fund development functions.

· Experience in fundraising, donor engagement, or philanthropic strategies preferred.

· Valid Driver’s License and Car Insurance Verification, required.

· Must pass MVR check and maintain a good driving record.

KEY KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

· Expertise in public relations, media relations, branding, and communication strategy development.

· Strong leadership and team management capability, including coaching and performance development.

· Advanced strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with ability to deliver measurable outcomes.

· Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and executive messaging.

· Proven ability to build partnerships and influence diverse stakeholders.

What does it mean to be a member of the Chattanooga Goodwill organization?

  • You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your work is making a difference in your community. In addition to strengthening our community and families by promoting independence and dignity for the people who need it most, you’ll be helping us care for the earth. Last year our Goodwill diverted more than 8 million pounds of material from local landfills through sales and salvage.
  • Our vision is a community where every person, regardless of ability, situation, or background, can achieve their greatest potential.
  • Revenue from our retail stores help fund our workforce development and community services programs, which means our employees are direct contributors to changing lives!

How do we do this?

  • We value and respect the inherent dignity and worth of people.
  • We value truth, set high standards, and keep our promises.
  • Continuous Improvement.
  • Teamwork.
  • We respect open and honest communication.
  • We value a culture of innovation, learning, and development through social enterprise.
  • We honor the resources entrusted to us with responsibility and care.

We invite you to apply to become a part of our friendly, hardworking, and caring group of dedicated employees.

  • We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants and internal transfers will receive consideration without regard to race (including hairstyle/texture), color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.