THE ORGANIZATION
Bancroft, founded in 1883, is a leading human services provider supporting adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury. Operating over 200 locations across New Jersey and Delaware, Bancroft offers special education schools, group homes, day services, and rehabilitation therapies.
THE POSITION
The Vice President of External Affairs is responsible for advancing Bancroft’s mission through advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic government relations. This leader will develop and execute strategies to strengthen relationships with policymakers, nonprofit coalitions, business leaders, and community influencers to increase Bancroft’s impact.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this role collaborates closely with senior leadership, the Board of Trustees, and external partners to shape policy initiatives and build a broad network of support.
Department: Executive/Administration
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Direct Reports: Director of Government Relations
FLSA Status: Exempt
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Government & Legislative Affairs
Develop and implement strategies to optimize Bancroft’s engagement with federal and state policymakers and regulatory agencies.
Monitor and analyze policy issues impacting Bancroft’s mission, advising leadership on advocacy priorities.
Mobilize stakeholders to support legislative initiatives that align with Bancroft’s strategic goals.
Represent Bancroft at hearings, legislative sessions, and political events to advocate for policy advancements.
Collaborate with internal and external government affairs professionals to maximize advocacy efforts.
Advocacy & Public Engagement
Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and nonprofit coalitions to enhance Bancroft’s visibility and influence.
Identify, cultivate, and manage partnerships with business leaders and other external stakeholders to promote public awareness and support for Bancroft’s work.
Represent Bancroft at public forums, conferences, and community events to advance its mission and policy objectives.
Prepare speeches, presentations, and talking points for the CEO and leadership team tailored to key audiences and constituencies.
Facilitate research-driven special projects to strengthen Bancroft’s advocacy and engagement strategies.
Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
Strengthen Bancroft’s presence in coalitions, associations, and nonprofit networks to drive policy initiatives and best practices.
Engage donors, families, and volunteers in advocacy efforts that support organizational growth.
Work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and external lobbyists to refine and implement stakeholder engagement strategies.
Lead initiatives to educate policymakers and community members on Bancroft’s impact and needs.
Leadership & Team Development
Build and mentor a high-performing external affairs team aligned with Bancroft’s mission and strategic priorities.
Provide leadership and professional development opportunities to strengthen the team’s advocacy and stakeholder engagement expertise.
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the department and across the organization.
Establish and track performance metrics to ensure advocacy and external affairs goals are met.
ORGANIZATION WIDE PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Abides by Bancroft’s Code of Ethics, Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Core Values in promoting ethical behavior, establishing relationships and providing guidance in decision-making situations.
Remains current with required training certifications, meets state-regulated licensing and regulatory accreditations, and adheres to mandatory requirements.
Maintains effective verbal and written communications with colleagues, those served, and their family members and/or guardians when applicable.
Willingly and effectively cooperates with Bancroft, The Department of Human Services, The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and other licensing or state agencies or local municipalities in any inspections and investigations, upon request.
Maintains a safe and respectful environment, free of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; does not allow weapons, threats, bullying or intimidation.
Reports any violations to the appropriate individual as soon as the incident occurs.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Essential Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science or a related field.
Demonstrated leadership experience in external affairs or government relations within nonprofit, healthcare, or policy-driven organizations.
Strong strategic thinking skills with a proven ability to develop and execute advocacy initiatives.
Coalition-building experience, working with associations, nonprofits, and external partners to advance policy priorities.
Deep understanding of federal and state policy processes, regulations, and funding mechanisms related to human services.
Key Skills & Competencies
Exceptional relationship-building skills, capable of engaging policymakers, business leaders, and community influencers.
Strong communication and public speaking abilities, comfortable representing Bancroft at high-profile events.
Analytical expertise in assessing program, policy, and advocacy issues, translating findings into actionable strategies.
Ability to drive data-informed decision-making to refine advocacy and engagement efforts.
High-energy leadership style, combining initiative, collaboration, and adaptability.
REQUIRED BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
Bancroft requires all employees to model and uplift its Core Values, which are summarized below (see the end of this position description for the complete exposition of these Core Values).
Compassion: Expressing kindness, caring and a willingness to help others.
Accountability: Accepting responsibility for personal behavior and actions.
Respect: Showing care about the feelings and well-being of others.
Empowerment: Becoming strong and confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights.
Safety: Protecting self and others from danger, risk or injury.
COMPENSATION
This is a full-time, exempt, in-person position with Bancroft, with executive offices at 1255 Caldwell Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. The role will require occasional travel in-state and regionally.
Starting Salary Range: The starting salary range for the position is $174,000 - $190,000 depending on experience. Benefits include but are not limited to: medical, prescription drug, vision, and dental coverage; flexible spending plan, employee assistance program (EAP), life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, commuter benefits; 403(b) retirement plan, wellness program, tuition benefits.
All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of background checks as determined by Bancroft
TO APPLY
Bancroft has retained Dunleavy & Associates to manage this search. Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter via the provided application here.
EEO Statement
Bancroft provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
BANCROFT’S CORE VALUES
Compassion- Expressing kindness, caring and a willingness to help others.
Help others feel valued and support a sense of belonging. Show interest and concern for others with whom you work, serve or support. Offer support when a colleague is in need, without being asked. Listen openly, non-defensively, and without judgment when someone is sharing an opinion, concern or issue. Be available and supportive to others. Create an environment where different ideas and experiences can be shared openly by team members, without fear of criticism or retaliation. Show empathy to colleagues, family and persons served perspective when dealing with difficult situations. Explain the “Why” to everyone involved when a treatment is being recommended. Be conscious of your own blind spots or unconscious bias.
Accountability- Accepting responsibility for personal behavior and actions.
Keep your promises and other commitments. Follow through to completion when accepting responsibility for something. Meet deadlines, and follow-up to ensure others do the same. Ensure team member concerns are heard, responded to, and addressed appropriately. Consistently come to work when scheduled and be on time. Follow all policies and procedures. Use the employee escalation and appeal process when your immediate supervisor cannot satisfactorily address a workplace issue or concern. Attend meetings, education and other events you signed up for and communicate if your plans change. Come to meetings on time and be prepared to actively participate. Own issues or challenges by finding things within your control that can help.
Respect- Showing care about the feelings and well-being of others.
Treat everyone fairly; the way they would want you to treat them. Get to know the individuals served, families and colleagues for the people they are; introduce yourself, engage in meaningful conversations. Show support for all individuals we encounter (team members, those we serve, family members, etc.), learn their names and how to pronounce them, and respect their right to choose their pronouns and use the ones they use for themselves. Keep conversations constructive, focused on common ground, and solutions to problems. Be attentive to others’ cultures, beliefs, opinions and backgrounds and adapt as needed, to the extent they align with Bancroft’s Core Values. Make sure persons served have a choice in how they spend leisure time. Ask persons served or families,” What matters to you?” Value differences as opportunities to learn and grow. Welcome and introduce others and help make them feel they belong. Celebrate and/or acknowledge successes and milestones of others. Meet people where they are; open yourself up to others’ points of views and perspectives. Focus on the topic of meeting without distractions of devices or other work. Offer individuals served and colleagues opportunities for choices and to have a say in things that relate to them. Be aware of email etiquette (respond timely, use words as you would in person, and don’t forget “please” and “thank you”).
Empowerment- Becoming strong and confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights.
Take initiative to pursue needed improvements (See it - Own it - Solve it - Do it). Provide opportunities for others to expand their involvement and personal or professional growth. Ask colleagues to represent you at meetings when you are not available. Collaborate with others to be inclusive in problem solving and decision making. Support persons served in making their own decisions, rather than decide for them or tell them how to decide. Make decisions that fall within your responsibility. Effectively delegate to others and support their decisions. Report things that are a concern or do not appear to be appropriate. Find ways to help individuals served learn and grow in everything they do. Freely share ideas or suggestions. Be inquisitive, ask questions, and offer support. Develop the courage to take personal risks when needed to support each other and the organization’s success.
Safety- Protecting self and others from danger, risk or injury.
Be aware of safety in all home, school and work environments, and make immediate corrections when needed. Follow all safety procedures, even when stress is high, and time is short. proactively de-escalate behaviors whenever possible and appropriate. Provide and support a psychologically safe work environment. Immediately report concerns when things don't seem right. Clean up spills, and don’t leave them unattended. Take the initiative to understand service and behavior plans, goals, etc. Make sure treatment goals are aligned with evidence-based practices. Address unsafe conditions without waiting to be asked. Ensure supplies are replenished before they are depleted.