Director of External Affairs

Prosper Portland•Portland, OR

17h

About The Position

The Director of External Affairs leads Prosper Portland’s government relations, strategic communications, public engagement, policy work, and resource development. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the Executive Team, the Director advises agency leadership, builds partnerships, represents Prosper Portland with elected officials, public agencies, businesses, community organizations, and media, and manages the Policy and Communications teams. The role coordinates external advocacy, public information, community engagement, and accountability to advance agency priorities and maintain public trust. It also oversees grant research, proposal development, and funding applications to secure resources that support agency priorities and financial sustainability. The Director leads agency policy analysis and strategic initiatives; directs communications, media relations, brand management, and crisis communications; and oversees accessible public engagement and strategic partnerships. The role guides research, performance measurement, and public impact reporting, including work related to economic development, Tax Increment Finance districts, and agency strategic plans. The Director supervises department managers and staff, develops work plans and budgets, manages expenditures and contracts within delegated authority, and may serve as Acting Executive Director when designated. The position generally works Monday through Friday during agency business hours in a combination of in-person and remote settings consistent with agency policy. Regular in-person attendance at agency offices, City Hall, Commission meetings, and community or partner locations is required. Early morning, evening, weekend, or additional hours may be needed for public meetings, legislative activity, deadlines, or urgent communications. Travel within the metropolitan area is frequent, and occasional travel outside the region may be required. Work involves complex and sometimes contested public issues, competing demands, and substantial public scrutiny.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, government relations, public affairs, strategic communications, public administration, community or economic development, or a closely related field.
At least 5 years of management or leadership experience in a related field, including supervision of professional staff and responsibility for work planning, performance management, and budgets.
Demonstrated success working with elected officials or governmental decision-makers; developing or advancing policy initiatives; leading communications or public engagement strategies; and advising senior leadership on complex public issues.
Advanced knowledge of public policy development, governmental decision-making, legislative analysis, intergovernmental relations, and strategic advocacy.
Advanced knowledge of strategic communications, media relations, issues management, brand management, digital communications, and public engagement.
Knowledge of economic development, urban renewal and Tax Increment Financing, public/private partnerships, business and public finance, budgeting, and data-based outcome evaluation.
Knowledge of public-sector governance, ethical conduct, and public information responsibilities; working knowledge of research methods, office applications, and communications and reporting tools.
Ability to build productive relationships; communicate effectively with executive, legislative, media, and public audiences; explain technical and financial information in plain language; and facilitate productive, accessible public participation.
Ability to analyze complex issues, manage competing priorities and ambiguity, translate strategy into work plans, coordinate teams and partners, manage budgets, and exercise sound judgment and accountability.
Essential functions include sustained computer and office work; reviewing and preparing complex documents and data; communicating with stakeholders; facilitating meetings and presentations; and participating at agency offices, public meeting locations, and community sites. Functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Education in public administration, public policy, communications, political science, business administration, urban planning, or a related field.
Experience in or closely with a public-sector economic development or urban renewal agency.
Knowledge of Oregon and Portland governmental processes.
Experience with legislative funding or appropriations, Tax Increment Financing policy, Tribal government relationships, and crisis communications.
Bilingual or multilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Lead the agency’s government relations and advocacy strategy at local, regional, state, and federal levels.
Build relationships with elected officials, public agencies, legislative staff, regional partners, sovereign Tribal governments, and other stakeholders.
Prepare agency leadership and authorized representatives for hearings, meetings, testimony, budget deliberations, and briefings; coordinate timely responses to government inquiries.
Position agency initiatives for state and federal resources and coordinate funding priorities with Finance, Capital Access, and program departments.
Direct policy research and analysis, recommend agency positions, and oversee the development and update of agency-wide policies.
Lead coordination and progress reporting for Advance Portland and other assigned strategic initiatives.
Support public engagement and approval coordination for the establishment and amendment of Tax Increment Finance districts.
Lead performance measurement and outcomes reporting for the Commission, City leadership, funders, and the public.
Direct the Communications team and establish integrated communications plans for agency priorities, outreach, internal communications, media relations, executive messaging, and major announcements.
Oversee brand management, marketing, editorial standards, and content across agency communication channels.
Advise agency leadership and the Commission on public positioning and communication risks; oversee executive communications and serve as an authorized agency spokesperson.
Direct media relations, establish processes for inquiries and message approval, and develop issues-management and crisis-communications protocols.
Partner with Human Resources and other departments on employee communications and organizational-change messaging.
Build partnerships with businesses, community organizations, public institutions, and regional economic development partners.
Direct public engagement strategies, accessibility and language-support practices, and processes for using public input and responding to community concerns.
Oversee support for advisory groups, public forums, budget engagement, and strategic community giving within adopted policies and budgets.
Develop and lead an agency resource-development strategy; oversee funding opportunity research, grant writing, application preparation, submissions, and related staff work plans.
Evaluate funding opportunities for eligibility, strategic fit, matching requirements, implementation capacity, and ongoing financial obligations.
Coordinate funding requests, agreements, award conditions, implementation transitions, financial oversight, and reporting with relevant agency teams and partners.
Track funding opportunities, deadlines, submissions, and decisions; report funding results and use funder feedback to improve future applications.
Oversee economic research and qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform agency priorities, policy, and public understanding.
Lead agency impact reports, public dashboards, and evidence-based reporting that accurately explains investments, outcomes, progress, and limitations.
Establish and report department measures for policy milestones, advocacy outcomes, communication effectiveness, public engagement, and internal service delivery.
Supervise and direct the Policy and Communications teams; set expectations, assign work, evaluate performance, coach staff, and support development and succession planning.
Develop the department’s annual work plan, budget, staffing priorities, and service standards; manage expenditures, procurements, contracts, and consultants within delegated authority.
Serve on the Executive Team, lead or support assigned agency initiatives, and perform other relevant duties as assigned.