Director of External Relations

Overview

Year Up United seeks to hire a Director of External Relations who will be responsible for managing key projects and processes related to Year Up United’s Boards, Industry Councils, and Market Advisory Councils. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this individual will be asked drive holistic engagement of Board and Council members by preparing materials, communicating to both external and internal stakeholders, and ensuring timely follow-ups and project plans related to commitments or decisions with a special focus on revenue-generating activities in partnership with fundraising and external engagement teams towards measurable outcomes. This role will be accountable for ensuring stronger engagement from Councils & Board, faster action from Board and Council members on revenue-generating activities, expanded group membership, and increased revenue impact.

The Director of External Relations will possess a strong attention to detail, comfort speaking to and working with external stakeholders, deep project management experience, and a desire to work on a dynamic and fast-paced team that interfaces across Year Up United’s business units. This person must have a sophisticated communication style and excel in managing up and through influence.

The Director of External Relations will have the opportunity to interact with Year Up United students as a coach, group facilitator, and advocate, participating in building a positive educational environment.

Salary Range: $122,900 - 139,400

Key Responsibilities

External Boards and Councils Project Leadership

• Plan and execute communications to Board and Council members in alignment with organizational and role-specific priorities
• In partnership with the Chief of Staff and functional leaders, support preparation for Board and Council meetings including leading on some creation of materials and gathering from others
• Support external activity in partnership with relationship leads to achieve membership retention or growth metrics as well as specific revenue and partnership metrics
• Create materials for and implement new Board and Council member onboarding or orientation
  
  

Internal Boards and Councils Project Leadership

• Maintain trackers related to assigned Board and Council engagement and impact
• Drive the vetting process for potential new members in conjunction with relationship leads
• Coordinate across business units to ensure execution of board- or council-driven initiatives
• Consolidate ideas and insights from Boards and Councils to inform internal strategy
• Ensure that colleagues are kept up to date on board or industry council trends/findings
  
  

Year Up United Citizen

• Serve as an advisor/mentor for a small number of current students
• Join and sometimes facilitate weekly group sessions with students
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings
  
  

Qualifications

• 7+ years in a role requiring high-level communications, executive briefings, or external events
• Ability to craft and deliver on project plans in a dynamic and fast-paced environment and toward revenue outcomes
• Sophisticated interpersonal and people influence skills, including strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong PowerPoint skills to visualize complex information and draw connections across various streams of internal or external work or data
• Ability to conceptualize, plan, and manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously
• A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential, and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up United
• Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers
• Commitment to Belonging
  
  

Working At Year Up United

Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state*) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations

• Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.
• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.
• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.
• Professional Development: Funds available to support staff in achieving career objectives ($2,500 per year)
  
  

** This is an exempt role (paid on a salaried basis). **

Organization Description

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country—a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United’s intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The NonProfit Times, Year Up United is a rewarding and impactful place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and committed to positive change and continuous learning. We set high standards for both ourselves and our students and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and potential of our young people. The work we do is life-changing, and we know that our team is the greatest asset in achieving our mission.

Commitment To Diversity

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/

Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

To Apply

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We respectfully request no phone calls.