Chief External Affairs Officer

ADAPT Community Network•New York, NY

About The Position

The Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) leads ADAPT Community Network and its affiliates’ external engagement efforts, overseeing government relations, public affairs, communications, advocacy, and community partnerships. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CEAO is a vital member of the executive leadership team, responsible for enhancing the organization’s public profile, building strategic relationships, and driving its external impact.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Public Administration, Communications, Public Policy, Government, Nonprofit Management, Political Science, or related field.
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in external affairs, public affairs, government relations, communications, advocacy, or related functions.
Experience within nonprofit, healthcare, human services, government, or mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience building relationships with government agencies, elected officials, policymakers, media representatives, advocacy organizations, and community stakeholders.
Strong understanding of legislative, regulatory, public policy, and government affairs environments.
Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills.
Demonstrated experience leading complex external communications, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management initiatives.
Experience navigating politically sensitive, high-profile, and rapidly evolving environments.
Strong strategic thinking, executive presence, judgment, and relationship management skills.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and collaborate effectively across executive leadership teams.
Experience supervising teams, consultants, agencies, and external partners preferred.
Passion for ADAPT's mission and demonstrates a commitment to the non-profit disability sector.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred in Public Administration, Communications, Public Policy, Government, Nonprofit Management, Political Science, or related field.
Experience supervising teams, consultants, agencies, and external partners preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive external affairs strategy that advances organizational priorities, advocacy objectives, and long-term growth for ADAPT Community Network and its affiliates.
Serve as the organization’s senior executive overseeing government relations, public affairs, communications, and community engagement functions.
Cultivate, strengthen, and sustain high-impact relationships with elected officials, government agencies, policymakers, advocacy organizations, and community leaders.
Proactively track, analyze, and interpret legislative, regulatory, and policy developments; provide timely, strategic counsel to executive leadership on risks, opportunities, and emerging issues.
Partner closely with the CEO and executive leadership team to shape organizational positioning, drive public messaging, manage crisis communications, and advance stakeholder engagement strategies.
Lead an integrated external communications platform, including media relations, public relations, executive communications, digital strategy, social media, and reputation management.
Drive and amplify advocacy efforts across key issue areas including disability rights, Medicaid funding, housing access, workforce development, accessibility, and community inclusion.
Represent the organization as a senior ambassador at legislative forums, public events, media engagements, conferences, and high-level stakeholder meetings.
Build and expand strategic alliances with government entities, nonprofit and advocacy organizations, healthcare systems, community partners, and philanthropic institutions.
Direct crisis communications and issues management efforts, ensuring rapid, coordinated, and effective response strategies.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Fundraising & Development, Program Operations, Compliance, Human Resources, and other teams to advance enterprise-wide initiatives and enhance public impact.
Advise executive leadership on public policy trends, reputational considerations, external risks, and opportunities to strengthen visibility and influence.
Support Board engagement by contributing to presentations, briefing materials, and strategic external engagement planning.
Lead, mentor, and manage high-performing teams across communications, public affairs, government relations, and community engagement functions.
Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the CEO on organizational visibility, external positioning, and high-value stakeholder opportunities.
Contribute to enterprise strategic planning, executive decision-making, and organizational leadership initiatives.
Perform additional duties as assigned to support the CEO and advance organizational priorities.