Director of External Affairs

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Operating Officer, the Director of External Affairs oversees a team of four and works closely with senior staff to advance strategic priorities, anticipate issues, respond to opportunities, identify project needs, build strong relationships with stakeholders, and manage deadlines. The Director is responsible for developing and coordinating community outreach efforts and maintaining relationships with critical, institutional partners within and outside the County to maximize the efficiency, operation, and equitability of County Services. Community Partners include but are not limited to municipalities, State and Federal elected officials, schools & universities, chambers of commerce, NGOs, hospitals, foundations, and police departments.

* Establish and maintain partnerships with critical partners throughout the County. This includes representing the County at various community meetings, in-person meetings with stakeholders and written correspondence.

* Provide information to external partners, residents and others regarding County priorities, strategies, programs and services.

* Relay community concerns, issues, and requests to senior County leadership.

* Provide input to improve the quality, equity and accessibility of County services.

* Represent the County and provide information on its programs, services and resources to external partners and the community.

* Work in partnership with County leadership to determine and execute cohesive communication and engagement strategic priorities.

* Have input into county priorities and direction, promote visibility of County operations and services, and pursue and highlight collaborative community partnerships.

* Have input on external communication strategies, build external advocacy programs and promote community engagement.

* Provide strategic communications counsel related to external relationships to program department leads.

* In collaboration with the Communications team, coordinate internal and external communications to promote the visibility of events and manage the production of print materials.

* Identify opportunities to connect County programs and initiatives with external stakeholders.

* Supervise event consultants, as needed, and stay abreast of event trends, venues, vendors, and technologies.

* Undertake other duties and responsibilities, as assigned from time to time.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

* Bachelor's degree, preferably in communications or public relations or related field.

* 7+ years of experience in special events, public relations or related field.

* Experience developing and implementing robust communications and innovative community engagement strategies.

* Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-moving constituent focused work environment.

* Prior governmental or public affairs experience preferred.

* Ability to foster a productive work environment that allows team members to excel.

* Excellent oral and written communication skills, including proofreading abilities. (writing sample will need to be provided).

* Strong interpersonal skills and a customer-service orientation, with the ability to work effectively with senior staff, community stakeholders, partners, and vendors.

* Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, follow-up, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

* Possesses a strong sense of urgency and the ability to monitor multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail.

* Demonstrated commitment to public service and experience working with diverse populations.

* Strong data management and technology skills.

* Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc).

* Graphic design skills and a strong eye for clean, effective visual presentation (preferred).

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.