Director of External Relations Jobs
Director of External Relations jobs are open across nonprofits, higher education, government agencies, and healthcare organizations, at every level from manager to vice president, with specializations in government affairs, community partnerships, and stakeholder engagement. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find JobsOverview
Open roles32
Top stateWashington
Top employerAmazon
Top citySeattle, WA
Work type60% Hybrid
Top industryEducation
Showing 5 of 32+ Director of External Relations jobs
Events & External Relations Specialist
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New 3h ago
Villanova University
Events & External Relations Specialist
Villanova, Pennsylvania
New 3h ago
Section Coordinator - External Relations Finance
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New 3h ago
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Section Coordinator - External Relations Finance
Lubbock, Texas
New 3h ago
Senior Analyst Relations & External Communications Manager
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Added 2d ago
Global Payments
Senior Analyst Relations & External Communications Manager
Atlanta, Georgia
Added 2d ago
Senior Director, Construction Trades & External Workforce Relations
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Added 2d ago
Eli Lilly
Senior Director, Construction Trades & External Workforce Relations
Indianapolis, Indiana
Added 2d ago
Procurement Officer, Mass Marketing and External Relations (Fixed Term - 30th Sept 2027)
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Added 2d ago
International Rescue Committee
Procurement Officer, Mass Marketing and External Relations (Fixed Term - 30th Sept 2027)
New York, New York
Added 2d ago
New 3h ago
Events & External Relations Specialist
Villanova University·Villanova, Pennsylvania
Job functions:
$48k - $50k/yr
Bachelor's degree in communications
1,001-5,000 employees
Job Description
Posting Number:
20260419S
Position Title:
Events & External Relations Specialist
Position Type:
Staff
Location:
Villanova, PA
Recruitment Type:
Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule:
full-time/10-months
Avg Hours Week
Department:
216-Dean - Villanova School of Business
Position Summary:
Why work at Villanova?
- Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
- Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
- Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.
The Events & External Relations Specialist within the Villanova School of Business provides event logistics, promotion, consulting, management, and external relations and graphic design support for VSB. This Specialist within the Dean’s Office supports the development and execution of events, event marketing, event promotion, and social media content to ensure successful programs, events, and stakeholder engagement. This role also generates and develops content to ensure brand consistency and alignment with the University and VSB’s key messages and strategic objectives. The Specialist is responsible for providing project support for External Relations and Donor Engagement programming, including partnering with internal and external vendors, and partners. The Events & External Relations Specialist works to ensure high-quality service to students, faculty, alumni, program participants, and other stakeholders in support of VSB mission and objectives. The Events & External Relations Specialist also supports financial and administrative processes.
This is a 10‑month staff position aligned with the academic year. The role does not require work during summer months, and compensation is structured to reflect the 10‑month schedule.
The timing of the 2 unpaid summer months is informed by the University academic calendar, major School events, and the business needs of VSB and is established in partnership with the selected candidate. More information about the schedule and position will be shared during the interview process.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Event Management:
- Partners with the Associate Director and Assistant Dean to develop and execute a strategic event portfolio that advances VSB’s priorities, goals, and stakeholder engagement objectives.
- Leads the planning, coordination, and execution of Dean’s Office signature programs and events, including academic excellence ceremonies, executive speaker programs, and other high-profile initiatives.
- Serves as the primary liaison for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment of event objectives, communications, logistics, and participant experience.
- Manages all phases of event planning and execution, including project planning, venue selection, budgeting, registration, vendor management, catering, audiovisual
requirements, marketing coordination, risk mitigation, on-site event management, and post-event evaluation. - Oversees event-related budgets and financial administration, including expense management and vendor procurement, as appropriate.
- Collaborates with VSB Communications and Marketing partners to develop and implement event promotion and engagement strategies across print, digital, web, and social media channels.
- Supports external relations initiatives, including coordination of guest speakers, VIP guests, and strategic partnerships that enhance the visibility and impact of VSB programs.
- Develops and maintains relationships with vendors, venues, service providers, and university partners to support operational excellence and event success.
- Oversees event registration platforms, attendance tracking, reporting, and data management to support operational effectiveness and informed decision-making.
- Establishes and analyzes event metrics, participant feedback, and operational data to assess outcomes, drive continuous improvement, and implement event management best practices.
- Serves as a subject matter expert and representative of VSB on university committees and collaborative initiatives related to major events and programs.
- Provides guidance, coordination, and oversight to student ambassadors, volunteers, and assigned staff supporting event operations.
External Relations Support:
- Provides high-level program and event promotion support for stakeholder and DAC engagement initiatives, ad hoc corporate visits and/or other money-generating events (e.g., CPE credits, trainings, etc.)
- Tracks Business School ranking opportunities, participation, methodology, and timeliness.
Event Promotion:
- Supports the development and execution of all event promotion, graphics, and marketing for VSB programs and events, such as the academic excellence ceremonies, the Dean’s signature events, and other Executive Speaker Series Events. Also supports event promotion for external conferences and industry events in partnership with the VSB Marketing and Communications office.
Sponsorship and Branding Management:
- Manages photography, print, online and digital assets. Supports sponsorship, branding, and external speaking opportunities for VSB; collaborates with VSB Marketing and Communication and Dean’s Office staff to assure alignment and efficiency; supports trade shows, conferences, and key relationships, etc.
- Perform additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, marketing, public relations, or related discipline is required.
- Minimum 2 years of high-level project experience, including communication and marketing experience.
- Strong proficiency in planning and supporting functions including business correspondence, scheduling, budget and financial processes, and project management, social media, analytics, and client service.
- Proficiency in all standard computer applications (Microsoft Office) and social media platforms (such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube).
- Ability to solve problems proactively and independently.
- Creative thinker with attention to detail.
- Knowledge of event functions and ability to manage multifaceted projects.
- Expertise to communicate with a variety of audiences across different mediums.
- Must convey a highly professional demeanor, be a team player, and have exceptional organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to provide high-level service to diverse groups of constituents.
- Ability to handle a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects/tasks with varied deadlines.
- Must be poised with strong customer-service skills and be able to work independently under limited supervision
- Experience operating and troubleshooting standard office equipment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:
- Occasional evening and weekend work required to serve the needs of the Villanova School of Business.
Special Message to Applicants:
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled.
All applications must include the following:
All applications must include the following:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Names of three (3) references
- During the application process, you will also be answer to respond to the following prompt:
- Please briefly describe your experience with graphic design and marketing software. What programs or tools have you used (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, etc.), and how comfortable are you using them to create promotional or event-related materials?
Posting Date:
09/02/2026
Closing Date (11:59pm ET):
11/14/2026
Salary Posting Information:
This position falls within salaried grade 13 and the range is $of $47,500-49,800. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.
Salary Grade:
13
Job Classification:
exempt
References Needed
References Needed
Minimum Number of References Needed
3
Maximum Number of References Needed
3
Villanova University
Events & External Relations Specialist
Villanova, Pennsylvania
New 3h ago1,001-5,000 employees
Job functions:
$48k - $50k/yr
Bachelor's degree in communications
Job Description
Posting Number:
20260419S
Position Title:
Events & External Relations Specialist
Position Type:
Staff
Location:
Villanova, PA
Recruitment Type:
Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule:
full-time/10-months
Avg Hours Week
Department:
216-Dean - Villanova School of Business
Position Summary:
Why work at Villanova?
- Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
- Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
- Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.
The Events & External Relations Specialist within the Villanova School of Business provides event logistics, promotion, consulting, management, and external relations and graphic design support for VSB. This Specialist within the Dean’s Office supports the development and execution of events, event marketing, event promotion, and social media content to ensure successful programs, events, and stakeholder engagement. This role also generates and develops content to ensure brand consistency and alignment with the University and VSB’s key messages and strategic objectives. The Specialist is responsible for providing project support for External Relations and Donor Engagement programming, including partnering with internal and external vendors, and partners. The Events & External Relations Specialist works to ensure high-quality service to students, faculty, alumni, program participants, and other stakeholders in support of VSB mission and objectives. The Events & External Relations Specialist also supports financial and administrative processes.
This is a 10‑month staff position aligned with the academic year. The role does not require work during summer months, and compensation is structured to reflect the 10‑month schedule.
The timing of the 2 unpaid summer months is informed by the University academic calendar, major School events, and the business needs of VSB and is established in partnership with the selected candidate. More information about the schedule and position will be shared during the interview process.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Event Management:
- Partners with the Associate Director and Assistant Dean to develop and execute a strategic event portfolio that advances VSB’s priorities, goals, and stakeholder engagement objectives.
- Leads the planning, coordination, and execution of Dean’s Office signature programs and events, including academic excellence ceremonies, executive speaker programs, and other high-profile initiatives.
- Serves as the primary liaison for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment of event objectives, communications, logistics, and participant experience.
- Manages all phases of event planning and execution, including project planning, venue selection, budgeting, registration, vendor management, catering, audiovisual
requirements, marketing coordination, risk mitigation, on-site event management, and post-event evaluation. - Oversees event-related budgets and financial administration, including expense management and vendor procurement, as appropriate.
- Collaborates with VSB Communications and Marketing partners to develop and implement event promotion and engagement strategies across print, digital, web, and social media channels.
- Supports external relations initiatives, including coordination of guest speakers, VIP guests, and strategic partnerships that enhance the visibility and impact of VSB programs.
- Develops and maintains relationships with vendors, venues, service providers, and university partners to support operational excellence and event success.
- Oversees event registration platforms, attendance tracking, reporting, and data management to support operational effectiveness and informed decision-making.
- Establishes and analyzes event metrics, participant feedback, and operational data to assess outcomes, drive continuous improvement, and implement event management best practices.
- Serves as a subject matter expert and representative of VSB on university committees and collaborative initiatives related to major events and programs.
- Provides guidance, coordination, and oversight to student ambassadors, volunteers, and assigned staff supporting event operations.
External Relations Support:
- Provides high-level program and event promotion support for stakeholder and DAC engagement initiatives, ad hoc corporate visits and/or other money-generating events (e.g., CPE credits, trainings, etc.)
- Tracks Business School ranking opportunities, participation, methodology, and timeliness.
Event Promotion:
- Supports the development and execution of all event promotion, graphics, and marketing for VSB programs and events, such as the academic excellence ceremonies, the Dean’s signature events, and other Executive Speaker Series Events. Also supports event promotion for external conferences and industry events in partnership with the VSB Marketing and Communications office.
Sponsorship and Branding Management:
- Manages photography, print, online and digital assets. Supports sponsorship, branding, and external speaking opportunities for VSB; collaborates with VSB Marketing and Communication and Dean’s Office staff to assure alignment and efficiency; supports trade shows, conferences, and key relationships, etc.
- Perform additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, marketing, public relations, or related discipline is required.
- Minimum 2 years of high-level project experience, including communication and marketing experience.
- Strong proficiency in planning and supporting functions including business correspondence, scheduling, budget and financial processes, and project management, social media, analytics, and client service.
- Proficiency in all standard computer applications (Microsoft Office) and social media platforms (such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube).
- Ability to solve problems proactively and independently.
- Creative thinker with attention to detail.
- Knowledge of event functions and ability to manage multifaceted projects.
- Expertise to communicate with a variety of audiences across different mediums.
- Must convey a highly professional demeanor, be a team player, and have exceptional organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to provide high-level service to diverse groups of constituents.
- Ability to handle a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects/tasks with varied deadlines.
- Must be poised with strong customer-service skills and be able to work independently under limited supervision
- Experience operating and troubleshooting standard office equipment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:
- Occasional evening and weekend work required to serve the needs of the Villanova School of Business.
Special Message to Applicants:
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled.
All applications must include the following:
All applications must include the following:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Names of three (3) references
- During the application process, you will also be answer to respond to the following prompt:
- Please briefly describe your experience with graphic design and marketing software. What programs or tools have you used (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, etc.), and how comfortable are you using them to create promotional or event-related materials?
Posting Date:
09/02/2026
Closing Date (11:59pm ET):
11/14/2026
Salary Posting Information:
This position falls within salaried grade 13 and the range is $of $47,500-49,800. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.
Salary Grade:
13
Job Classification:
exempt
References Needed
References Needed
Minimum Number of References Needed
3
Maximum Number of References Needed
3
See All 32 Director of External Relations Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsDirector of External Relations Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Technology & Software
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of external relations jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, public affairs, or a related field
- Seven or more years of experience in external affairs, government relations, or partnership development
- Demonstrated experience managing relationships with government agencies, foundations, or community organizations
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for executive-level and public-facing audiences
- Experience developing and executing outreach or advocacy strategies aligned with organizational goals
- Proficiency with CRM platforms and stakeholder management systems
Tips for Your Director of External Relations Job Search
Tailor your resume to each sector
A director of external relations resume for a university reads differently than one for a nonprofit or health system. Reframe the same relationship-building wins using the language each sector uses, whether that is constituents, partners, donors, or government stakeholders.
Quantify relationship and outreach outcomes
Hiring committees for external relations directors want to see the size of your stakeholder portfolio, the number of partnerships you secured, and the revenue or funding tied to those efforts. Replace vague descriptions with concrete outcomes wherever your work produced a measurable result.
Target postings that name your policy areas
Filter openings by the specific policy domains or cause areas you know best, such as housing, workforce development, or public health. Hiring managers in this role almost always prefer a candidate with deep familiarity in their space over a generalist with more years.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of external relations openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a stakeholder engagement narrative
Interviewers for external relations directors routinely ask you to walk through how you built or repaired a critical external relationship. Prepare two or three detailed examples that show your approach to mapping stakeholders, earning trust, and sustaining engagement over time.
Negotiate scope before accepting an offer
External relations directors often inherit a team, a budget, and inherited relationships that vary wildly in quality. Before accepting, clarify reporting structure, travel expectations, and whether you have authority to end underperforming partnerships, since these shape the actual difficulty of the job.
Director of External Relations Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of external relationss?
The most active employers for director of external relationss right now are Amazon, TikTok, and Boston University, and the most openings are in Washington, New York, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Nonprofits, universities, and state and local government agencies tend to hire most consistently throughout the year.
How many director of external relations jobs are remote?
About 70% of director of external relations openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the role often requires in-person relationship management with community partners and government officials. Work tied to government affairs and policy advocacy tends to be more location-dependent than communications or partnership coordination functions.
How do you become a director of external relations?
Most directors of external relations start in communications, policy, development, or community outreach roles and build up over several years. You progress by taking on more complex stakeholder portfolios, leading campaigns or coalitions, and demonstrating that you can represent an organization credibly at the executive level. A graduate degree in public affairs, nonprofit management, or communications strengthens your candidacy, especially for roles in higher education or government.
Can you get a director of external relations job without direct experience in the role?
Yes, candidates who have held senior roles in government affairs, development, community engagement, or policy work often move into external relations director positions without the exact title. Employers care most about whether you have managed external stakeholders at scale, negotiated partnerships, and represented an organization publicly. Framing transferable experience clearly on your resume and in your cover letter is what closes the credibility gap.
What does the director of external relations interview process look like?
The process typically includes an initial screening call with HR, followed by a panel interview with senior leadership and sometimes board members or department heads. Finalists are often asked to present a stakeholder engagement strategy or a vision for external partnerships. References from government officials, foundation contacts, or community leaders carry significant weight at this level.
Where can I find and apply to director of external relations jobs?
You can find and apply to director of external relations jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that fit your sector background and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that matches what you are looking for.
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