External Affairs Manager

Job Description

The External Affairs Manager provides operational, communications, and project coordination support for the Government Affairs and Community Investment & Philanthropy functions. This role is responsible for managing department processes, supporting stakeholder engagement activities, developing executive communications, coordinating community investment initiatives, and maintaining systems that track external relationships and organizational impact.

The successful candidate will be highly organized, possess exceptional communication skills, exercise sound judgment and confidentiality, and demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The position works closely with internal leadership, community organizations, nonprofit partners, public officials, employees, and vendors.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

External Affairs Operations & Community Engagement
• Coordinate administrative and operational activities supporting Government Affairs and Community Investment initiatives.
• Maintain stakeholder databases, contact records, outreach activities, and departmental tracking systems.
• Support charitable giving programs, sponsorship requests, nonprofit due diligence, contribution processing, and community partnership initiatives.
• Assist with employee giving campaigns, volunteer programs, Care Team activities, and United Way initiatives.
• Support Political Action Committee (PAC) engagement, membership tracking, and approved contribution activities.
• Organize department records, manage project timelines, and ensure timely follow-up on commitments and action items.

Communications & Executive Support
• Develop executive-level communications, presentations, dashboards, newsletters, briefing materials, and talking points.
• Research and prepare community profiles, stakeholder background information, event summaries, and engagement reports.
• Coordinate sponsorship documentation, event logistics, and post-event communications.
• Support leadership communications related to government affairs, community investment, employee engagement, and corporate citizenship activities.

Project Coordination & Strategic Support
• Support special projects, departmental process improvements, and reporting initiatives.
• Assist in implementing systems and processes that improve efficiency, accountability, and visibility across external affairs programs.
• Support disaster response documentation and other special initiatives as needed.
• Participate in community events, stakeholder meetings, and outreach activities representing the External Affairs function.

Qualifications

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education & Experience
• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Business, Communications, Public Affairs, Political Science, Nonprofit Management, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Experience supporting executive administration, project coordination, community relations, communications, public affairs, nonprofit programs, corporate giving, or stakeholder engagement activities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities.

Technical Skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Strong experience preparing professional communications, presentations, reports, and tracking documentation.
• Ability to organize and maintain records, stakeholder databases, and reporting tools.

Preferred Skills & Experience
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, community engagement programs, corporate philanthropy, employee volunteer programs, government affairs, or political action committees.
• Experience with CRM systems, donor management platforms, survey tools, volunteer management systems, or reporting dashboards.
• Familiarity with stakeholder engagement strategies and community investment programs.

What Will Make You Successful
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to anticipate needs, solve problems, and manage competing priorities effectively.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Ability to build positive relationships with executives, employees, nonprofit partners, vendors, community leaders, and public officials.
• Flexibility to support meetings, events, and occasional off-site community engagement activities.
Zachry Group is dedicated to providing a Safe and Drug-Free Work Environment and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.