Director of External Affairs & Exec Comm

Orleans Parish Sheriff'•New Orleans, LA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives position oversees and coordinates strategic external affairs and communications for the Sheriff’s Office, including community affairs, crime victim engagement, faith-based relationships, public relations, and other stakeholder initiatives. This position works to strengthen public trust, enhance the agency’s reputation, foster meaningful community partnerships, and effectively communicate the Sheriff’s priorities, initiatives, and vision. The position serves as a strategic liaison between the Sheriff’s Office and key internal and external stakeholders. The position works collaboratively with Human Resources and other appropriate departments to ensure communications are accurate, timely, consistent, professional, and aligned with OPSO’s mission. The position requires excellent judgment, discretion, communication skills, relationship-building abilities, and the capacity to manage sensitive and high-profile communications matters.

Requirements

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong executive presence and ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders and public officials.
Knowledge of public relations, strategic communications, media relations, community engagement, and public affairs principles.
Ability to develop clear, compelling, and audience-appropriate messaging.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Strong judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or high-profile matters.
Ability to assess reputational and communications risks and recommend appropriate responses.
Strong organizational, project management, and follow-through skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced executive environment.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and organizational levels.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Knowledge of local government, public safety, criminal justice, and community relations is highly desirable.
An understanding of social media strategies and media relations.
Proficiency in office management software and design software such as Photoshop, Canva, or InDesign.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Marketing, Political Science, Government, Business or a related field.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, strategic communications, executive communications, government affairs, public affairs, media relations, community engagement, or related field.
Demonstrated experience working with executive leadership, public officials, media, community organizations, or other external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a law-enforcement, corrections, governmental, public-sector, or public safety environment.
Experience supporting an elected official, executive leader, or senior government administrator.
Experience developing communications strategies for high-profile or sensitive issues.
Experience coordinating public events, community engagement initiatives, or media events.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, neighborhood groups, governmental agencies, community leaders, civic organizations, business leaders, law enforcement, and stakeholders.
Coordinate community meetings, listening sessions, town halls, and agency outreach events.
Monitor emerging public, community, and stakeholder issues that may affect the reputation or credibility of the Sheriff or OPSO.
Identify opportunities for the Sheriff’s Office to increase community engagement.
Identify opportunities to strengthen relationships between OPSO and the community.
Coordinate stakeholder engagement initiatives that support public understanding and confidence in OPSO.
Receive and communicate stakeholder concerns, questions, and emerging issues to the appropriate members of executive leadership.
Maintain a professional and responsive presence on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office.
Track community concerns and coordinate appropriate follow-up with agency leadership.
Coordinate with appropriate leadership during high-profile or sensitive matters.
Develop relationships with community organizations and identify opportunities for meaningful collaboration.
Gather community feedback and identify trends or concerns that may inform agency leadership and communications strategies.
Track project progress and provide regular updates to the Sheriff or designee.
Identify obstacles and recommend practical solutions to ensure successful completion of initiatives.
Oversee faith-based outreach initiatives and partnerships.
Develop partnerships that support recruitment, community engagement, violence prevention, and other agency priorities.
Build and maintain relationships with churches, faith leaders, and faith-based organizations.
Oversee outreach initiatives supporting crime victims and their families.
Develop partnerships with victim service providers and community resources.
Help ensure external stakeholders are connected to appropriate agency resources.
Identify strategic partnerships that support the Sheriff’s priorities.
Represent the agency at external meetings, events, and community functions.
Maintain a database/calendar of key external stakeholders and partnerships.
Monitor community sentiment and emerging concerns.
Identify opportunities to strengthen the agency's visibility and reputation.
Coordinate responses to community concerns with appropriate agency divisions.
Support initiatives designed to improve transparency and public confidence.
Develop and coordinate communications, as requested including speeches, talking points, briefing materials, presentations, correspondence, statements, and public remarks.
Translate Sheriff’s priorities, initiatives, and strategic objectives into clear and effective communications.
Prepare the Sheriff and senior leadership for public appearances, meetings, interviews, community events, and other engagements.
Ensure executive communications reflect the Sheriff’s leadership priorities, organizational values, and mission.
Coordinate messaging across executive leadership to promote consistency and clarity.
Assist executive leadership in communicating organizational expectations and strategic priorities to employees.
Develop internal messaging that promotes employee awareness, engagement, and alignment with the Sheriff’s vision.
Develop content for the Sheriff’s Office website, newsletters, social media, and other communication platforms.
Coordinate photography, video, graphics, and other visual communications.
Develop campaigns around recruitment, community initiatives, public safety, employee recognition, and agency priorities.
Ensure messaging is consistent across platforms.
Coordinate with Human Resources, Communications, Training, and other departments on agency-wide communications when appropriate.
Identify potential communication risks and recommend proactive strategies to address them.
Lead or coordinate special communications and public relations projects assigned by the Sheriff.