Director of External Affairs and Community Engagement

Director of External Affairs and Community Engagement

Salary

$93,354.48 - $140,083.92 Annually

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Position Description

The City of Seattle is a rapidly growing city with major infrastructure investments including a new civic waterfront, light rail expansion, a new hockey arena and other key projects coming online in the next decade. The city has experienced incredible economic growth but also faces the challenge of keeping Seattle affordable and inclusive for all. Mayor Jenny Durkan is focused on building a just and equitable future for Seattle's residents and workers. Her priorities include expanding housing affordability, helping those experiencing homelessness, addressing the climate crisis, and creating opportunity for young people – all while delivering essential city services. Mayor Durkan believes that government is at its best when we focus our work in communities. Since taking office in 2017, she has hosted and participated in more than 40 roundtables and town halls, 150 community events, and 9 neighborhood walking tours.

Mayor Jenny Durkan is seeking to hire a Director of External Affairs and Community Engagement.This position reports to the Deputy Mayor for External Relations and is a key member of the Mayor's Senior Team. The Director works in partnership with communications, policy, and executive teams of the Mayor's office while simultaneously supervising a team of up to seven full time employees. The role of External Affairs is comprised of four major components: providing strategic direction on the Mayor's community engagement, staffing or delegating staffing assignments for Mayor's Office events and meetings, project management, working with a variety stakeholders, and acting as a liaison between the Mayor and the community. The Director of External Affairs and Community Engagement will work with internal and external stakeholders to move mayoral priorities forward.

Job Responsibilities

Design, implement, and manage Mayor's Office external plan to engage a diverse constituency of community groups and stakeholders while building support and awareness of Mayoral and City objectives.

Identify audiences, consider diverse perspectives and outreach opportunities to increase awareness and impact of departmental programs and services, and build strategies to advance and sustain the Mayor's and City's priorities and reputation.

Develop and maintain positive and professional relations with staff, elected officials, labor, business, neighborhood and community organizations, and the public in support of the Mayor and City programs and priorities.

Build turn out for significant meetings, events, and Mayoral addresses.

Produce meetings and events between stakeholders and the Mayor, Executive Team members, and policy staff as needed.

Staff or delegate staffing assignments for Mayor's Office events and meetings

Provide recommendations to the Mayor and Executive Team regarding appointments to the City's various Boards and Commissions.

Manage, supervise, and hire an external team comprised of up 5-7 full time employees.

Qualifications

A successful applicant will have a professional career that reflects a commitment to public service and community engagement and has:

Worked as a coordinator or manager of external affairs and/or community outreach for a municipal department or an organization that generates high public interest and media coverage

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships in community

A track record of analyzing issues, finding solutions and delivering results within the public sector

Delivered meaningful outcomes with a diverse range of partners

Successfully lead people and teams

Passion for contributing meaningfully through public service

Championed equity by valuing the opulence of a diverse workforce with authentic perspective

The work requires being comfortable working in a politically sensitive environment with multiple priorities and tight deadlines which will require work outside of regular business hours.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Information

In addition to completing the application at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle, please upload:

A cover letter explaining your interest and capability to perform this job

A resume which illustrates your related skills and abilities

Our plan is to begin the selection process the first week of February. Individuals are encouraged to submit their application materials expediently.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/. If you have questions, please contact Pam Inch, Senior Executive Recruiter at Pam.Inch@seattle.gov.

Employment is conditioned on a review of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Who may apply: This position is open to all applicants that meet the above qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.