Director, Strategy, Growth

Director, Strategy, Growth & Communications
- What Works Cities (WWC)Results for America (RFA) is the leading, national nonprofit organization helping policymakers at all levels of government harness the power of evidence and data to solve the world's greatest challenges. Our mission is to make investing in what works the "new normal," so that, one day, all government leaders use rigorous evidence and quality data to inform important policy and funding decisions. We believe that data-driven and evidence-based policy decisions should be used to increase the impact of the over $2 trillion that governments spend annually to open opportunities and advance economic mobility.
At Results for America, one of our flagship initiatives is What Works Cities (WWC), a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded initiative that helps city governments across North, Central, and South America improve residents' lives by using data and evidence effectively to tackle pressing challenges. To accomplish this, we work directly with city leaders and staff through coaching and implementation support, a range of online and in-person learning opportunities, and a growing professional network. This support is guided by What Works Cities Standard, the first-ever international standard of excellence for data-driven, well-managed local government.
The Director, Strategy, Growth & Communications is accountable for the development and execution of What Works Cities' growth strategy, ensuring the initiative continues to expand its reach, influence, and impact across current and emerging markets.
This role leads WWC's Strategy, Growth & Communications portfolio and is responsible for guiding expansion, outreach, and partnership development. The Director is accountable for identifying and cultivating pathways for cities to engage with WWC, expanding the initiative's reach and brand influence while advancing opportunities to embed the What Works Cities Standard throughout the local government ecosystem.
The Director also oversees WWC's Communications team, and is accountable for the development and implementation of a communications and marketing strategy that elevates WWC's international brand and visibility. The Director will work to advance WWC's mission and value proposition to further build the community of cities and government leaders that make up the WWC network.
This role will supervise two vertical leads in the related positions: Associate Director for Strategy & Growth and Associate Director for Strategic Communications. In order for this function to be successful, the individual in this position must work closely with the Senior Vice President & Managing Director, City Experience and the Operations & Planning teams to ensure growth strategies are aligned with organizational priorities, programmatic capacity, and market opportunities.
Skills paramount to success in this role requires strong strategic thinking and growth mindset; adaptive leadership; critical thinking; executive presence and inclusive team building. The ability to translate complex data driven strategies into actionable insights, strategies and storytelling to drive growth and impact.
This is a full-time, exempt position, based in a home office anywhere within the United States, Canada, and/or Latin America.
International travel up to 40% annually may be required.
The Director, Strategy, Growth & Communications reports to and works in close consultation with the Senior Vice President & Managing Director for What Works Cities.
The responsibilities of the Director include but are not limited to:Portfolio Strategy & Growth (30%)Lead the development of and be accountable for the execution of WWC's growth strategy across North, Central, and South America while evaluating future growth opportunities.
Set annual goals and KPIs aligned with WWC's current and future growth.
Lead the Strategy & Growth team to achieve annual targets by regularly monitoring performance goals and developing practices, models, and initiatives to support successful implementation.
Identify and translate trends, opportunities and risks across target markets and turn findings into strategic recommendations.
Lead city segmentation, engagement pathways, and recruitment strategies that increase awareness, participation, and conversion throughout WWC's pipeline. This includes ensuring potential opportunities for high-priority cities, regions, sectors, and institutional opportunities for engagement.
Identify, cultivate, and maintain strategic relationships with senior government leaders, partners and key networks.
Strategic Communications (30%)Lead the development and execution of a global communications and marketing strategy to ensure WWC's standing as the preeminent international benchmark for data-driven government.
Set annual communications goals and KPIs aligned with WWC's current and future communications and marketing needs.
Ensure KPI metrics align with grant reporting, impact and evaluation deliverables.
Lead cadence of p