Vice President of External Relations Jobs
Vice President of External Relations jobs are open across higher education, nonprofits, healthcare systems, and government affairs, from director-level to C-suite, with specializations in public affairs, strategic partnerships, and stakeholder engagement. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Occasional evening and weekend work required to serve the needs of the Villanova School of Business.
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?
References Needed
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Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Technology & Software
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in vice president of external relations jobs.
- Minimum ten years of progressively senior external relations, public affairs, or government relations experience
- Demonstrated experience leading advocacy campaigns, legislative outreach, or institutional partnership development
- Bachelor's degree required, master's degree in public administration, communications, or related field strongly preferred
- Proven ability to represent an organization before boards, government bodies, media, and community stakeholders
- Experience managing and developing a team of external relations or communications professionals
- Proficiency with CRM systems, media monitoring tools, and stakeholder engagement platforms
Tips for Your Vice President of External Relations Job Search
Quantify your stakeholder outcomes specifically
Hiring committees for this role want concrete evidence of influence, not activity. Replace phrases like 'managed relationships' with the number of institutional partners secured, the value of grants facilitated, or the legislative outcomes your advocacy produced.
Tailor your resume to sector language
A nonprofit external relations resume reads differently than a university advancement resume or a corporate government affairs resume. Mirror the terminology in each job posting so your application signals sector fluency, not generic executive experience.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists vice president 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.
Target organizations by their current priorities
An institution launching a capital campaign, navigating a merger, or expanding federal advocacy has immediate external relations needs. Reading recent press releases and board announcements before you apply helps you frame your cover letter around what the organization actually needs right now.
Prepare a portfolio of coalition-building examples
Interviewers at this level expect you to walk through real scenarios where you built or activated a coalition, managed a reputational challenge, or negotiated a complex institutional agreement. Prepare two or three narrative examples with named outcomes before your first conversation.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
At the vice president level, the mandate varies widely, including whether you own communications, government affairs, community engagement, or all three. Clarify the reporting structure and functional ownership before accepting, since scope affects your ability to deliver and your next career step.
Vice President of External Relations Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most vice president of external relationss?
The companies hiring the most vice president of external relationss right now include Amazon, TikTok, and Boston University, with the largest share of openings in Washington, New York, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Universities, hospital systems, and large nonprofits consistently represent the highest volume of openings for this role.
How many vice president of external relations jobs are remote?
About 70% of vice president of external relations openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though fully on-site roles remain common given the relationship-intensive nature of the work. Government affairs and policy-focused sub-specialties tend to offer more location flexibility than community engagement or advancement-focused positions.
How do you become a vice president of external relations?
Most vice presidents of external relations build their careers through progressively senior roles in public affairs, communications, government relations, or institutional advancement. Start in a coordinator or manager role, develop a portfolio of stakeholder campaigns or partnership agreements, move into a director position overseeing a function, then demonstrate cross-functional leadership. A graduate degree in public administration, policy, or communications accelerates promotion at many institutions.
Can I get a vice president of external relations job with limited experience?
Direct entry at the vice president level is rare, but candidates who have held a director of government affairs, director of community engagement, or senior communications director role for several years are competitive. Demonstrating measurable outcomes in relationship-building, advocacy, or partnership development carries more weight than years of service alone. Some smaller nonprofits or regional organizations promote internally from director roles more quickly than large institutions.
What does the vice president of external relations interview process look like?
The process typically runs three to four rounds. An initial screening with HR or a search committee is followed by a panel interview with senior leadership, often including the president, CEO, or board members. Finalists frequently deliver a presentation on an external relations strategy or challenge relevant to the organization. References are checked thoroughly, and some employers conduct stakeholder or community interviews as a final step.
Where can I find and apply to vice president of external relations jobs?
You can find and apply to vice president of external relations jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the roles that match your sector and specialization, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background and goals.
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