Director of Public Engagement & Outreach

Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency•Covington, LA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Public Engagement & Outreach is tasked with providing strategic leadership for LOPA’s outreach and community engagement initiatives throughout the state, centered on the vital mission of organ, tissue, and eye donation. Holding primary accountability for the impact and performance of these efforts, the Director designs and implements a comprehensive strategy aimed at bolstering public support and increasing life-saving donor registrations. This leadership role focuses on advancing public understanding of donation through high-level strategic planning and statewide execution. Overseeing a team of Public Engagement Specialists, the Director ensures high-quality outreach that prioritizes donor registration and elevates LOPA’s presence through strategic partnerships, media relations and public affairs alignment. This role moves beyond general engagement to build the systems and visibility required to influence public perception, maximize donation potential, and drive measurable mission impact across Louisiana.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Public Health, or related field (Master’s preferred)
7–10+ years of experience in public engagement, community relations, public affairs, or outreach leadership
Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing multi-regional or large-scale engagement programs
Strong background in relationship management, partnership development, and public-facing strategy
Experience working with media, community leaders, and/or public sector stakeholders preferred
Experience with grant writing, philanthropic partnerships, foundation collaboration, or community-based funding initiatives preferred

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree
Experience working with media, community leaders, and/or public sector stakeholders
Experience with grant writing, philanthropic partnerships, foundation collaboration, or community-based funding initiatives

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a statewide public engagement and outreach strategy aligned with organizational goals and growth targets
Establish clear priorities, target audiences, and engagement models that enhance public awareness, increase community support and drive donor registration based upon cultural and community dynamics
Design and implement scalable programs that integrate donation awareness, health education, and prevention messaging
Collaborate with peer leaders across the organization to shape and align engagement initiatives with enterprise priorities, ensuring outreach strategies are integrated, consistent, and impactful
Translate organizational strategy into actionable outreach plans for regional execution
Lead, coach, and develop a team of Public Engagement Specialists (Level I & II)
Establish performance expectations tied to outcomes (e.g., engagement quality, relationship depth, registration impact)
Provide ongoing feedback, mentorship, and professional development opportunities
Ensure consistency in messaging, presentation quality, and community engagement standards across regions
Establish and oversee high-impact community engagement efforts, ensuring alignment with LOPA’s mission and brand
Identify and prioritize key communities, organizations, and stakeholder groups for strategic outreach
Guide the development of regional engagement plans that deepen relationships and expand reach
Partner with peer leaders to evaluate and refine engagement approaches based on community feedback and performance data
Oversee and support LOPA’s media engagement strategy, including intake, evaluation, and guidance for participation in media opportunities
Partner with Communications and Marketing to ensure consistent messaging, brand alignment, and high-quality execution across all media engagements
Partner closely with other internal leaders to align engagement and outreach with media, messaging, organizational and brand strategy
Influence cross-functional initiatives by providing community insights, stakeholder perspectives, and engagement expertise
Ensure field insights inform organizational messaging, positioning, and decision-making
Support and guide participation in public awareness campaigns and community storytelling
Strengthen LOPA’s visibility and credibility through coordinated external engagement efforts
Work in partnership with internal leaders to identify and advance strategic opportunities that elevate LOPA’s presence and community impact
Serve as a connector between internal strategy and external execution, ensuring alignment across teams and initiatives
Establish and maintain high-level relationships with community leaders, healthcare partners, advocacy groups, and civic organizations
Represent LOPA in leadership forums, coalitions, and community initiatives as appropriate
Drive collaboration opportunities that extend beyond transactional outreach to sustained engagement
Partner with the LOPA Foundation and internal leadership to identify, pursue, and support philanthropic, grant, and sponsorship opportunities that advance public education and community engagement initiatives
Support the development of compelling grant proposals, funding narratives, stewardship reports, and community impact materials aligned with organizational priorities
Cultivate and maintain relationships with foundations, philanthropic partners, and community investors to expand resources supporting donation education and outreach efforts
Collaborate with the LOPA Foundation to align community engagement strategies with fundraising priorities, donor stewardship efforts, and mission advancement initiatives
Assist in evaluating funding opportunities and ensuring grant-supported programs demonstrate measurable outcomes and community impact
Support sustainability of outreach initiatives through strategic funding partnerships and community investment opportunities
Align volunteer efforts with organizational priorities to extend reach and impact
Support the development of a strong volunteer pipeline that enhances community advocacy
Support alignment with government and legislative initiatives related to donation and public health as appropriate
Maintain awareness of relevant public policy topics and appropriately communicate key information to team and external stakeholders as appropriate
Build foundational relationships with community and civic leaders that support informed dialogue and trust as appropriate
Accountable for establishing and achieving metrics related to outreach effectiveness and community impact
Regularly report on performance, outcomes, and strategic opportunities to LOPA leadership
Use data insights to drive a culture of donation through continuous improvement, innovation, and responsiveness to community needs