Chief External Affairs Officer

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THE ORGANIZATION

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Overview 

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Homebridge is a San Francisco-based, community-serving nonprofit that makes independent living possible through creative and supportive home care services. The agency’s primary activity is operating a large, government-funded (MediCAL/IHSS) service delivery program supporting more than 1,000 older adults and people with disabilities or other health, behavioral or social needs. Homebridge’s innovative, client-centered model of care consists of continually trained small care teams that assist and support clients in achieving their individualized goals and allowing them to remain safely in the community.

To accomplish this challenging work, Homebridge operates an industry-leading workforce development program through which the agency recruits, trains, and supports over 300 full-time professional caregivers – more than 70% of whom are women of color. A program and administrative team of 90 support the workforce in their service delivery. With an operating budget of nearly $30M, Homebridge is recognized as being at the forefront of community-based care for complexly diagnosed individuals at risk of institutionalization or homelessness. Throughout California, Homebridge is acknowledged and respected for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its work supporting the most vulnerable in our community.  

As a collaborative partner and grantee of the City and County of San Francisco’s Department of Disability and Aging Services, Office on Economic and Workforce Development, and Office on Aging, Homebridge is also one of the largest non-profit employer/trainer of caregivers in California with a nationally recognized training team that provides adult-centered learning to over 1,200 people each year. Homebridge is a Big Data agency with excellent infrastructure and strong program funding from both government agencies and private foundations. It takes pride in the fact that its staff represent dozens of cultures and backgrounds and speak over 25 languages.  To learn more, visit www.homebridgeca.org.

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THE POSITION

The Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) is a new leadership level position at Homebridge, reporting to the Executive Director. As a member of the executive team, the CEAO will provide strategic and tactical leadership to the organization and help drive its reputation, visibility, and growth as it seeks to expand its reach and influence, increase its services throughout the Bay Area, and secure additional funding for its programs. The CEAO will lead initiatives that build and execute brand, strengthen marketing and communications, foster strategic collaborations and expand relationships with philanthropic sector, public sector and health care industry leaders, and other policy makers, influencers and stakeholders.

The CEAO will lead the strategic policy and advocacy work for Homebridge and be responsible for strategic thinking, planning, and implementation of externally facing (e.g., funder relations/fund development, stakeholder education, government relations, policy development, political advocacy) activities that impact Homebridge’s programs and services. They will serve a critically important role as liaison to counterparts and others within city, county, state and federal government.

The CEAO will build and manage relationships with nonprofit and community leaders from diverse sectors, including housing, disability and aging, human services, etc., to identify and shape partnerships and funding opportunities. They will have primary responsibility for understanding the city, county, state and federal landscape in terms of public policy and regulatory requirements and for translating and sharing any changes that might impact Homebridge’s operations or require an official response from the organization.   

The CEAO position is based in San Francisco and is primarily remote at the present time. Some travel within California will be required. Meetings with external parties will comprise a significant component of the position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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Institutional Funding & Philanthropic Partnerships (30%)

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• As part of efforts to increase philanthropic support for Homebridge’s workforce development initiatives and network, strengthen and steward existing relationships with key institutional funders and identify new opportunities to secure funding with a near-term focus on the workforce space and “home care to healthcare career ladder”

• Working with program/workforce development staff, develop strategic approaches as well as proposals to institutional funders

• Serve as a primary liaison to private and public funders, responsible for engagement, developing the case for support, reporting, and stewarding of grants
   

Strategic Relationship Management/Business Development (25%)

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• Elevate Homebridge’s visibility through the development of new and strengthening of existing, strategic relationships with city, county, state and federal elected officials and their staff related to policies that impact older adults

• Advance strategic relationships with IHSS program operators as well as health plan/provider operators to improve inter-agency coordination and plan new initiatives or collaborations. Pursue exploratory conversations in and beyond the Bay Area with MediCAL providers regarding potential opportunities to collaborate under the “In Lieu of Services” component of the CalAIM Initiative

• Develop a highly targeted network of potential key influencers to advance both the mission and work of Homebridge in the service delivery and workforce arenas

• Represent the agency’s interests to key external collaborative partners and community-based advocacy and policy networks

• Strategize, explore, collect data, analyze and recommend potential new growth areas for the agency to the ED and Board of Directors

• Serve as an advocate on issues related to home care delivery and training and home care workforce opportunities

• Monitor local, state, and federal legislation impacting Homebridge

Advocacy and Policy (20%)

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• Design and mount an expansive yet strategic education and advocacy campaign throughout California to identify and discuss unserved and underserved populations who might benefit from Homebridge’s model of care

• Build awareness and collaborative support across state and local government and community-based organizations to advance the mission and work of Homebridge, both in service delivery for complex-populations as well as the caregiver workforce

• Identify and develop policy initiatives that advance Homebridge’s mission and its model of care, and the overall advancement of service access by populations served by Homebridge, including both program consumers and workforce

• Position Homebridge successfully to reach government and business decision makers and influence public opinion on issues vital to achieving its goals

• Evangelize Homebridge’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives while engaging in and promoting an inclusive and representative workforce

• Lead and support the Board of Directors “Advocacy & Policy Committee” by advising committee members and staff on legislative and other policy initiatives at the federal, state and local (county/city) levels that potentially impact Homebridge’s work

• Identify and set up opportunities with external constituencies to convey Homebridge’s mission, outcomes, impact, and narrative effectively and persuasively through select communication/outreach tools or activities

​Communications (15%)​

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• Develop communications strategies, campaigns and materials as needed to support the agency’s external outreach/communications and policy/advocacy activities

• Work collaboratively with the ED on public policy issues and messaging strategies to convey organizational mission, priorities and strategic goals

• In support of a robust external relations program, oversee development of print and social media, including talking points, fact sheets, presentation materials, website, and social media channels

• Receive and respond to inquiries from stakeholders, including government officials and legislators, funders, health care administrators, and community advocates

• Act as a thought leader and represent Homebridge’s strategic position on issues impacting home care and workforce training by identifying and participating in speaking, publishing and presentation opportunities

​Other Duties (10%)

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• Provide leadership and advice to the ED on strategic planning, partnership and coalition development and funding opportunities to ensure Homebridge’s success

• Work closely with the ED to manage relations with the Board of Directors as well as with health plan, IHSS program and other community/government leaders

• As part of Homebridge’s executive leadership team, collaborate on the development of policy and practices to ensure quality and leadership in all areas of operations

• Embrace, model and advance the agency’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Initiative in all aspects

• Support and provide counsel to executive team on engagement with government officials and agencies

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

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Homebridge encourages interest from a diverse candidate pool. The agency seeks an applicant who brings the appropriate combination of skills and experience with which to execute the necessary job functions.  We actively recruit candidates with a broad combination of education, training, skills, lived experience and voice who can add perspective, help us to grow and who enhance the shared values of our community.

​Education:

Advanced training or specialized education (or equivalent experience) in public health, public policy, law, or related area may be desirable.

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Experience:

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• Minimum of 10+ years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years in a strategic leadership role with a proven track record of successfully developing and managing complex strategies involving public policy, government relations, community outreach, etc.

• Experience working in or with San Francisco or CA state government preferred

• Experience with health care delivery and advocacy and public policy preferred

• Nonprofit/public sector experience and strong storytelling experience working at the intersection of advocacy, policy, government affairs and communications

• Familiarity with major issues in health care policy and delivery with a will to continuously develop expertise in a dynamic industry. Experience successfully building and working in coalitions and building trusted relationships with stakeholders across the political spectrum (experience doing this in the context of health care delivery policy is preferred though not required)

• Experience communicating with stakeholders to inform, influence, and move ideas

• Demonstrable history of supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in practice, policies and process

COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES

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The successful professional will have or be:
 

• Exceptional communications skills - verbal and written. Experience writing materials that translate well to policy briefs, strategy briefs, funding proposals (grants, letters of interest, government proposals, etc.)

• Exceptional interpersonal skills -- ability to establish trust and authority, to be the face of the agency and embody competence and expertise while still being deeply compassionate to the nature of clients and workforce

• Ability to connect to the mission of client services and workforce. Experience in one or both worlds is desirable

• A great listener, a deep thinker, and strong collaborator

• Excellent conceptualization, project leadership and strategic planning/thinking skills

• Ability to work well within a multicultural team environment

• Ability to set an inspiring vision and direction to achieve external affairs goals

• Exceptional political acumen and judgment

• Commitment to promoting an culture where diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are embedded into all aspects of the agency’s operations

• Ability to analyze program, policy, and advocacy issues and communicate findings and recommendations to a variety of audiences

• Exceptional ability to influence and build strong relationships and a high degree of emotional intelligence

• Understanding of government funding agencies and contracting practices

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
 

A competitive salary and generous employee benefits package will be offered. To be considered for this position or for additional information on the opportunity, please send a resume and cover letter to or contact:

David N. Randall

Principal

Randall Search Associates

415 769 4210

david@randallsearchassociates.com

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