Application Guide
How to Apply for Vice President, Marketing & Communications
at Unitedwayla
🏢 About Unitedwayla
United Way of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA) is a mission-driven nonprofit focused on economic mobility, education, and racial justice. As a remote-first organization, it offers flexibility while leading impactful community change through a $40M revenue goal.
About This Role
This VP role leads marketing and communications to drive donor engagement and revenue growth, overseeing strategy, brand, digital, and storytelling. You'll directly impact under-$1,000 donors and represent UWGLA in critical policy dialogues.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a team stand-up to review campaign performance and donor metrics, followed by a strategy session with the development team on upcoming donor appeals. Afternoon could involve reviewing impact stories for a media pitch, then a budget review for the next quarter's digital ad spend.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Unitedwayla Is Looking For
- Experienced in nonprofit marketing with a track record of driving donor revenue and engagement, especially with mid-level donors.
- Strategic leader who can develop integrated campaigns across digital, email, social, direct mail, and online giving.
- Skilled in impact storytelling and media relations, with spokesperson experience and comfort in policy discussions.
- Able to manage a department budget, KPIs, and technology stack while leading a team of brand, creative, communications, digital, events, and analytics professionals.
📝 Tips for Applying to Unitedwayla
Quantify your impact: highlight specific revenue growth, donor retention rates, or campaign ROI from previous roles.
Showcase donor-centered marketing: provide examples of strategies tailored to under-$1,000 donors and how you optimized giving channels.
Demonstrate leadership: detail how you've developed teams and managed cross-functional projects in a mission-driven environment.
Tailor your cover letter to UWGLA's focus on economic mobility, education, and racial justice; mention any related experience.
Use the resume to show a blend of strategic and hands-on skills, especially in digital marketing and analytics.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for UWGLA's mission and how your experience aligns with advancing economic mobility, education, and racial justice.", 'Specific examples of leading marketing strategies that drove revenue growth and donor engagement in a nonprofit.', 'Your leadership style and experience managing diverse teams and budgets.', 'Your comfort with being a spokesperson and engaging in policy dialogue.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review UWGLA's current campaigns and recent press releases to understand their messaging and priorities.
- → Study their annual report and donor segments to see how they currently engage supporters.
- → Familiarize yourself with key initiatives like 'Every Child Succeeds' and their racial equity framework.
- → Understand the competitive landscape of nonprofits in LA and how UWGLA differentiates itself.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to show specific revenue-driven results; vague claims of 'increased engagement' without numbers.
- Ignoring the donor-centered focus; emphasizing brand awareness over measurable donor behavior.
- Not demonstrating experience with the specific channels listed (digital, email, social, direct mail, online giving).
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!