1

Community Relations Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Government Relations Director works as part of the Government Relations team to develop and ... Community, and/or Department of Homeland Security * Work closely with other corporate business ...

The Government Relations Director works as part of the Government Relations team to develop and ... Community, and/or Department of Homeland Security * Work closely with other corporate business ...

Be Seen First

... relations, business development, ministry partnerships, or church leadership. * Demonstrate the ... Be comfortable with goals, metrics, delegation, follow-up, and direct but gracious performance ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Community Relations Director information

See Virginia salary details

$24.3K

$73.3K

$124.9K

How much do community relations director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for community relations director in Virginia is $73,270.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $87,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a community relations director do?

A Community Relations Director is responsible for building and maintaining positive relationships between an organization and the communities it serves. They develop outreach programs, coordinate events, and facilitate communication to promote the organization's image and goals. This role often involves partnering with local groups, managing public relations, and handling community feedback to ensure mutual understanding and cooperation. Their work helps foster goodwill, address community concerns, and enhance the organization's reputation.

What does a community relations director do?

A community relations director manages the relationships with the populations and communities surrounding the company or organization. This position differs from a public relations director in that a community relations director focuses on cultivating positive relationships with local residents and businesses. For example, a community relations director at a hospital may develop informational programs at an area recreational center about preventative health measures recommended once you reach a certain age. Job duties include organizing local events, attending community meetings, and creating programs for community outreach.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a community relations director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Community Relations Director, you need a background in public relations, communications, or marketing, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in stakeholder engagement. Familiarity with CRM platforms, social media management tools, and event planning software is typically required. Excellent interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and cultural sensitivity help build strong community partnerships and foster positive organizational reputation. These abilities are essential for effectively representing the organization, managing community initiatives, and driving public engagement.

What are the main challenges a community relations director faces when building partnerships with local organizations?

A Community Relations Director often encounters challenges such as aligning organizational goals with those of potential partners, navigating differing priorities, and overcoming limited resources or budgets on both sides. Additionally, building trust and maintaining clear, consistent communication with diverse stakeholders can require significant effort and diplomacy. Success in this role relies on adaptability, strong relationship-building skills, and a proactive approach to identifying mutually beneficial opportunities.

What is the difference between Community Relations Director vs Community Outreach Coordinator?

AspectCommunity Relations DirectorCommunity Outreach Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree in communications, marketing, or related field; experience in public relationsBachelor's degree often preferred; experience in community engagement
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, overseeing teams, high-level stakeholder interactionsExecuting outreach programs, event coordination, direct community engagement
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, corporations, government agenciesNonprofits, community organizations, educational institutions

The Community Relations Director focuses on strategic relationship building and managing communication efforts at a higher level, while the Community Outreach Coordinator handles direct community engagement and event execution. Both roles require strong communication skills and community knowledge but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What degree do you need for community relations director?

A community relations director typically needs a bachelor's degree in fields such as public relations, communications, marketing, or a related area. Relevant experience in community engagement, strong communication skills, and knowledge of local issues are also important for the role.

What is a community relations director?

A community relations director is responsible for building and maintaining positive relationships between an organization and the community it serves. They develop outreach programs, coordinate events, and communicate the organization's goals to foster goodwill and support. Strong communication skills and experience in public relations or community engagement are essential for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Community Relations jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Community Relations jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Community Relations Director jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Community Relations Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Community Relations Director job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,270 per year, or $35.2 per hour.

Public Policy & Community Relations Director (East)

CoreSite

Reston, VA โ€ข Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Description

About CoreSite:

CoreSite is a leading colocation data center company providing the space, power, cooling and connectivity that businesses rely on to operate and grow. Our data centers bring dozens of organizations together under one roof, supporting the technology and services that keep our world connected. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, bringing the expertise, ideas and commitment that power our business and help our customers succeed. With a culture built on collaboration, ownership, and operational excellence, CoreSite is a place to make an impact.

Director, Public Policy and Community Relations Role:

As a member of the company’s Legal team, the Public Policy and Community Relations Director will help define and build CoreSite’s public policy strategies. This includes planning and executing strategic communications programs while operating at a high-level of autonomy and regularly collaborating with cross-functional subject matter experts. This role enables CoreSite to deliver on its growth plans across the U.S. and has responsibility for establishing and maintaining local regulatory environments and positive community outreach that support CoreSite’s economic development. The Director, Public Policy and Community Relations, develops and delivers sustainable strategies and proactively initiates and regularly engages with local leaders and communities in which we are located. CoreSite delivers essential interconnection hubs for our customers across the U.S. to effectively conduct business and support their customers. The Director, Public Policy and Community Relations, develops advocacy strategies at the local market level, positions CoreSite on key issues, and advises CoreSite’s cross-functional team leaders on local matters including local legislative priorities, the political environment, and public sentiment related to data centers. This role will problem-solve and build relationships with local leaders and communities through a position of trust, creating a more favorable and resilient local public policy environment for our company. This work ensures success, mitigates risk, and fosters sustainable, long-term growth for CoreSite and our customers while adding value to the communities in which we operate.

What You’ll Do:

  • Partner with Marketing, Legal, and Corporate Development department leaders to build out the company’s important Public Policy and Community Engagement function.
  • Collaborate with American Tower’s (CoreSite’s parent company) Public Affairs Team for alignment and to leverage their knowledge and best practices.
  • Direct and support the execution of strategic local regulatory and community engagement plans to drive forward business objectives in the markets in which we operate.
  • Research, identify, and track current and emerging policy issues across the U.S. and engage internal team members to determine the company’s strategies, position, priorities, and risks.
  • Develop strategies to navigate and impact policy objectives; engage with state and local governments to advance the company’s public policy interests.
  • Direct, lead, and collaborate with CoreSite’s corporate development, legal, construction, finance, operations, and additional teams on key local issues and workstreams. Engage in and support pre-development processes, researching policy drivers, public sentiment, and media coverage in new markets, understanding and pursuing local tax incentives and funding programs for data center development and with permit and zoning authorities.
  • Develop and direct communication strategies to engage with community leaders in existing and new CoreSite markets.
  • Manage contract lobbyists, association memberships, and coalition partnerships.
  • Research industry trends and incorporate relevant insights into messaging development to help educate and prepare cross-functional colleagues.
  • Regularly analyze performance against goals and report to marketing department and cross-functional leaders.
  • Promote and demonstrate the behaviors consistent with CoreSite’s culture and core values.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Ability to thrive in a hybrid work environment that includes at least two onsite days per week.
  • Flexibility to travel up to 25% of the time to multiple CoreSite markets, capital cities, regional meetings and hearings. With the potential for increased in-office presence as business needs evolve.
  • Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with diverse internal and external audiences, including senior government officials and company executives, adapting language, tone, and style to fit the context.
  • Experience in government relations, economic development, or community engagement.
  • Experience learning business needs and representing those interests before government officials.
  • Creative and critical thinking skills and the ability to understand complex issues and identify clear and effective action plans to resolve them.
  • Experience working on policies related to data centers, AI, tax policy, energy, and sustainability.
  • Experience in handling contract lobbyists and working as an internal lobbyist for a private company is highly preferred.
  • Advanced political savvy and the ability to connect with customers and community members.

Education/Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university preferred.
  • Information technology and Business-to-Business experience preferred.
  • Between 7–10 years of hands-on experience in government relations, economic development, or community engagement.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described herein represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the job’s duties the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop or kneel, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Ability to travel is required.

Compensation: Compensation for this role includes a base salary between $175,000 and $190,000 annually. This role is also eligible for an annual bonus and equity, based upon individual and company performance.

Job Post Timeline: This position is expected to be open for applications for 30 days.

Benefits: Not only does CoreSite have a fun, team-focused work environment, but we also offer great benefits to all employees regularly scheduled to work more than 20 hours a week!

  • Medical coverage starting day one, plus dental, vision, telemedicine, HSA/FSA options.
  • 401(k) with a 5% company match, plus bonus and equity opportunities.
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
  • Starting 16 days of PTO, 11 paid company holidays, floating holidays and additional paid time for volunteering, family care, parental leave and other life events.
  • Free parking or public transportation support.

Additional Perks:

  • Up to $800 annually in wellness reimbursements and up to $450 in wellness incentives.
  • $100 monthly technology stipend.
  • Up to $5,250 annually in educational reimbursement plus LinkedIn Learning.
  • Up to $5,000 annually in charitable donation matching.
  • Financial coaching and student loan support.
  • Family planning, mental health, and caregiving support.
  • Pet insurance, employee discounts and cash back offers.

General Statements:

  • Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
  • Please note that all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and, where permitted by law, a 5-panel drug test conducted after the offer letter is signed, which will screen for THC, opiates, PCP, cocaine, and amphetamines. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Applicant Privacy Notice:

  • CoreSite is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information submitted by applicants. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) requires us to provide you information about our personal information handling practices. As a result, we’re providing this Privacy Notice that describes how we collect, use, share, and update personal information from individuals who wish to be considered for employment with CoreSite. To read the Applicant Privacy Notice, please go to https://www.coresite.com/applicant-privacy-notice.
  • Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this job posting on external sites is prohibited without prior written consent from CoreSite. We are not responsible for any postings or offers not originating from our official channels or approved partners.