Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for External Relations Director

💰 $150,000 - $220,000

CommunicationsPublic RelationsLeadershipExecutive

🎯 Role Definition

As our External Relations Director, you will be the chief architect of our public voice and a key ambassador for our organization. You will be responsible for designing and executing a sophisticated, multi-channel strategy to engage with key stakeholders, including media, government bodies, industry partners, and the community. This senior leadership position requires a strategic visionary with a talent for diplomacy, a deep understanding of the media landscape, and the ability to navigate complex public affairs issues. You will lead a dedicated team to enhance our organization's visibility, influence, and impact, ensuring our story is told compellingly and consistently across all external platforms.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Communications Manager
  • Director of Public Affairs / Government Relations
  • Head of Media Relations

Advancement To:

  • Vice President of Communications / External Affairs
  • Chief Communications Officer (CCO)
  • Head of Corporate Affairs

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of Investor Relations
  • Director of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive and forward-thinking external relations and communications strategy that aligns with the organization's strategic objectives.
  • Serve as the primary spokesperson and media contact for the organization, expertly representing our mission, values, and positions to the public and press.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong, productive relationships with key journalists, editors, producers, influencers, and media outlets to secure positive and impactful coverage.
  • Lead the organization's public affairs and government relations efforts, monitoring legislative and regulatory developments and building connections with policymakers and their staff.
  • Direct crisis communications planning and response, providing calm and effective leadership to protect the organization's reputation during challenging situations.
  • Oversee the creation and distribution of all external communication materials, including press releases, media kits, annual reports, op-eds, newsletters, and website content.
  • Build and nurture a robust network of strategic partnerships with industry associations, community organizations, non-profits, and other key external stakeholders.
  • Advise the CEO and executive leadership team on all matters related to public perception, stakeholder engagement, and emerging external opportunities or risks.
  • Develop and execute a sophisticated thought leadership strategy to position key executives as go-to experts in their respective fields.
  • Manage the external relations budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to achieve strategic goals and maximize return on investment.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of communications and public relations professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
  • Represent the organization at high-profile industry conferences, public forums, and stakeholder meetings to enhance visibility and build our network.
  • Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of all external relations activities, providing regular, insightful reports to leadership.
  • Drive advocacy campaigns on key policy issues, mobilizing stakeholders and leveraging media to influence public opinion and legislative outcomes.
  • Oversee the strategy and execution of major external events, from press conferences and product launches to stakeholder roundtables and community forums.
  • Collaborate closely with the marketing department to ensure brand consistency and message alignment across all paid, earned, and owned channels.
  • Manage relationships with external agencies, consultants, and vendors, ensuring they deliver high-quality work that is on-brand and on-budget.
  • Proactively identify and analyze trends in the media, political landscape, and public discourse to anticipate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
  • Lead the communication strategy for corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, effectively telling the story of our positive community impact.
  • Handle highly sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion and professional judgment.
  • Develop briefing materials, talking points, and presentations for senior executives to ensure they are well-prepared for all public engagements.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the executive leadership team with briefing materials, research, and talking points for public appearances and high-stakes meetings.
  • Contribute to the organization's long-term strategic planning process by providing critical insights on external trends and stakeholder perceptions.
  • Collaborate with the marketing and brand teams to ensure a cohesive and powerful brand narrative is presented across all external campaigns and platforms.
  • Participate in cross-functional task forces and committees to represent the external relations perspective on key organizational initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Strategic Communications Planning
  • Media Relations & Management
  • Crisis Communications & Reputation Management
  • Public Affairs & Government Lobbying
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Mapping
  • Public Speaking & Presentation
  • Content Creation & Copywriting (Press Releases, Op-Eds)
  • Budget Management & Financial Acumen
  • Social Media Strategy for PR
  • Performance Analytics & Reporting (KPIs, Media Monitoring)
  • Brand Messaging & Positioning

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Leadership & Team Management
  • Superior Interpersonal & Relationship-Building Skills
  • Diplomacy & Political Acumen
  • Strategic and Critical Thinking
  • Negotiation & Influence
  • Unflappable Poise Under Pressure
  • Outstanding Written and Verbal Communication
  • Adaptability and Agility
  • Proactive Problem-Solving
  • High Emotional Intelligence

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree (e.g., MBA, MA in Communications, MA in Public Administration).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Communications
  • Public Relations
  • Journalism
  • Political Science
  • Marketing
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 10-15+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, or external affairs.

Preferred:

  • A proven track record of leading external relations or communications functions within a complex, high-visibility organization. Extensive experience serving as a primary spokesperson and advising C-suite executives is essential. Direct experience in our industry (e.g., technology, healthcare, non-profit, finance) is highly desirable.
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