Director of External Affairs

Prosper Portland•Portland, OR

2d•$162,384 - $235,447•Hybrid

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, and represents Prosper Portland with elected officials, public agencies, businesses, community organizations, the media, and other stakeholders. The role manages the Policy and Communications teams and integrates their work to advance agency priorities, inclusive strategies, community engagement, transparency, and public trust. It also oversees resource development and the Resource Monitor’s work to pursue grants and other funding that support agency priorities and financial sustainability. The Director leads external affairs strategy and operations across government and intergovernmental relations, policy development, strategic initiatives, communications, public affairs, community partnerships, grant acquisition, research, and performance reporting. The role develops strategies and work plans, advises leadership on complex public issues, coordinates with internal departments and external partners, represents the agency within authorized positions, and ensures accurate, accessible public information and accountable results. As department leader, the Director supervises managers and staff, develops annual work plans and budgets, manages expenditures and contracts within delegated authority, sets service standards, supports staff development, and is accountable for department performance. The position operates independently under the Executive Director’s direction, collaborates with the Commission and agency leaders, and may serve as Acting Executive Director when designated.

Requirements

Ten 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 five years of management or leadership experience in a related field, including supervision of professional staff and responsibility for work planning, performance management, and budgets.
An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience may be considered.
Demonstrated success working with elected officials or governmental decision-makers.
Demonstrated success developing or advancing policy initiatives.
Demonstrated success leading communications or public engagement strategies.
Demonstrated success 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 TIF, public/private partnerships, business and public finance, budgeting, and use of data to evaluate outcomes.
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 communicate effectively with executive, legislative, media, and public audiences, explain technical and financial information in plain language, and support meaningful public participation.
Ability to analyze complex policy and organizational issues, plan and coordinate work across teams and partners, manage budgets, adapt to changing priorities, and remain accountable under public scrutiny.

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, TIF 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, and build relationships with elected officials, public agencies, legislative staff, and regional partners.
Prepare agency leadership and authorized representatives for hearings, Commission meetings, legislative testimony, budget deliberations, and partner briefings; respond to government inquiries and track commitments.
Coordinate efforts to position agency initiatives for public funding and grant opportunities, including work with Finance, Capital Access, and program departments.
Maintain relationships with sovereign Tribal governments and coordinate appropriate engagement protocols and approved Tribal relations commitments.
Direct policy research and analysis, recommend agency positions, and oversee development and updates to agency-wide policies in coordination with relevant departments.
Coordinate and report progress on Advance Portland and other strategic initiatives; establish shared work plans, track deliverables, and recommend adjustments.
Support public engagement and approval coordination for establishing or amending Tax Increment Finance districts.
Lead performance measurement and outcomes reporting, including impact reports, public dashboards, and evidence-based narratives; ensure reporting accurately represents activities, outcomes, and limitations.
Direct the Communications team and establish an integrated communications plan covering agency priorities, outreach, internal communications, media relations, executive messaging, and major announcements.
Oversee brand management, marketing, editorial standards, and content across the agency’s website, social media, newsletters, publications, video, and other channels.
Advise the Executive Director, Executive Team, and Commission on public positioning and communication risks; oversee speeches, testimony, talking points, presentations, and other executive communications.
Direct media relations, serve as an authorized spokesperson, and establish processes for media inquiries, fact verification, message approval, and interview preparation.
Develop and maintain issues-management and crisis-communications protocols; coordinate with Legal and relevant departments on emerging concerns and corrections to inaccurate information.
Partner with Human Resources and other departments on employee communications and organizational change messaging; assess communication effectiveness.
Build and maintain partnerships with businesses, neighborhood and community-based organizations, public institutions, and regional economic development partners.
Direct public engagement strategies, accessibility and language-support policies and training, and processes to incorporate and respond to community input.
Oversee department support for advisory groups, public forums, and budget engagement; direct strategic community giving within adopted policy and budget.
Develop and lead an agency resource-development strategy aligned with agency goals and the Financial Sustainability Plan.
Oversee the Resource Monitor and other resource-development staff, including grant research, writing, application preparation, and submission; set work plans and performance expectations.
Identify and evaluate funding opportunities, assessing eligibility, strategic alignment, matching requirements, capacity, and ongoing obligations.
Direct the development of grant proposals and applications, coordinate required approvals, and ensure submissions meet funder requirements.
Cultivate relationships with funding agencies, foundations, and potential partners; coordinate funding requests, budgets, agreements, award conditions, implementation, financial oversight, and reporting.
Maintain a schedule of funding opportunities, deadlines, submissions, and decisions; report funding results and use funder feedback to improve applications.
Oversee economic research and qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform agency priorities, policy choices, and public understanding of Portland’s economy.
Establish department performance measures for policy milestones, advocacy outcomes, communications, public engagement, and service to other departments; report and use findings to improve work.
Supervise and direct Policy and Communications managers and staff; assign work, evaluate performance, coach employees, and support professional development and succession planning.
Develop the department’s annual work plan, budget, staffing priorities, and service standards; balance planned initiatives with urgent requests and establish intake and prioritization processes.
Manage department expenditures, procurements, contracts, and consultants within delegated authority, monitoring quality, cost, timeliness, and compliance.
Promote a respectful, collaborative, and accountable work environment; address operational problems and model the agency’s values and responsible stewardship of public resources.
Serve on the Executive Team, lead or support assigned agency initiatives, represent the agency within authorized positions, and perform other relevant duties as assigned.