Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Location: Washington, D.C. (3 days a week in the office)
Salary Range: $185,000 – $200,000 (Based on experience and qualifications)

About Philanthropy Roundtable

Philanthropy Roundtable is a well-established organization in the philanthropic and free-market sectors, serving as a resource for hundreds of donors and foundation leaders. Our vision is to build and sustain a vibrant American philanthropic movement that strengthens our free society. To achieve this vision, the organization pursues a mission to foster excellence in philanthropy, protect philanthropic freedom and help donors advance liberty, opportunity and personal responsibility.

Since 1991, Philanthropy Roundtable has served individual philanthropists and foundations to refine their giving strategies to maximize the impact of their resources, as well as emerging donors and entrepreneurs who are developing their philanthropic plans for the first time. The Roundtable is the leading organization in the United States focused on promoting and defending the pivotal role private giving plays in strengthening our communities and how freedom and wealth creation make charitable giving possible.

Our staff is diverse in experience and perspective. We are mission-driven, results-oriented, entrepreneurial, courageous and team-oriented.

About the Role

The Senior Vice President, Public Affairs is a pivotal role on our senior leadership team, reporting to the COO. This executive will oversee two critical departments—Marketing & Communications and Policy & Government Affairs—and shape integrated strategies that elevate our mission, advance our public presence, and deepen policy influence.

While a Vice President of Policy & Government Affairs and a Senior Director of Marketing & Communications manage the day-to-day on the respective teams, the SVP provides strategic oversight, ensuring alignment across all external engagement, messaging, and high-level organizational priorities.

The Senior Vice President, Public Affairs will work from Philanthropy Roundtable’s Washington, D.C. office. He/she will have the flexibility to work from home 2 days per week. This is not a virtual position.

Responsibilities
Job duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership & Strategy

• Act as the senior leader for Public Affairs, advising the COO and executive team.
• Set strategic direction for Marketing & Communications and Policy & Government Affairs.
• Represent the Roundtable at senior external forums, donor engagements, and policy tables.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee brand strategy, public messaging, media relations, digital channels, content, and events.
• Ensure a unified voice and quality across publications and platforms.
• Elevate the Roundtable’s thought leadership and philanthropic impact.

Policy & Government Affairs

• Partner with the VP of Policy & Government Affairs to define policy priorities and engagement strategies.
• Maintain external relationships with policymakers, coalitions, and allied organizations.
• Provide senior-level counsel on significant policy shifts, legislative changes, or crisis communications.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Development and Program teams on strategic alignment.
• Support the CEO with strategic positioning, high-level messaging, and external dialogues.
• Foster innovation, excellence, and interdepartmental synergy across teams.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in senior leadership roles spanning public affairs, communications, policy, or related areas in nonprofit/philanthropy sectors.
• Proven experience supervising senior managers and aligning cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional communication skills, including media interviews and public speaking.
• Deep knowledge of policy, government affairs, and philanthropic ecosystems.
• Strategic mindset with strong execution capabilities.
• Commitment to liberty, opportunity, and personal responsibility.

Travel

• Less than 10% of the time.

Philanthropy Roundtable is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding nondiscrimination and employment eligibility.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• Cover letter including:
  • An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to Philanthropy Roundtable’s mission and how you came to those beliefs
  • How your experience relates to this role
  • Salary requirements
• Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: https://talentmarket.org/candidates/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Katy Gambella, Director of Outreach at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.