1

Community Relations Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Position Title : 3LS Employee Relations Manager Join the OMNI Family Do you want to be a part of a team that improves lives, empowers people, and strengthens communities? Want to be a thought leader ...

Position Title : 3LS Employee Relations Manager Join the OMNI Family Do you want to be a part of a team that improves lives, empowers people, and strengthens communities? Want to be a thought leader ...

New

Guest Relations Manager

Pigeon Forge, TN · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

Guest Relations Manager Pay: $50,000.00- $55,000.00 per year Who We Are: Smoky Mountain Resorts ... Our Great Smoky Mountains community is significant to us. As a third generation, family-owned ...

Our Company PharMerica Overview The Employee Relations Advisor serves as a trusted advisor to ... communities, and hospitals. We also cater to individuals with behavioral needs, infusion therapy ...

Showing results 41-60

Community Relations information

See Tennessee salary details

$32.7K

$111.6K

$125.7K

How much do community relations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for community relations in Tennessee is $111,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,300.00 and $125,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is community relations?

Community relations refers to the practice of building and maintaining positive relationships between an organization and the communities in which it operates. Professionals in this field work to foster goodwill, address concerns, and create partnerships that benefit both the organization and the public. Their responsibilities often include organizing events, managing communications, and supporting corporate social responsibility initiatives. Effective community relations help improve the organization's reputation and ensure mutual understanding with stakeholders.

How does a community relations professional typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

Community Relations professionals often work closely with departments such as marketing, public relations, and human resources to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with the organization's goals. They may coordinate events, manage partnerships, and gather feedback from the community to relay important insights internally. Successful collaboration requires strong communication skills and the ability to balance community needs with organizational objectives, ensuring that initiatives are both meaningful and effective.

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

To excel as a Community Relations Specialist, you need strong communication, public relations, and organizational skills, typically supported by a degree in communications, public relations, or a related field. Familiarity with social media platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and event planning tools is often required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and problem-solving abilities help you build trust and positive connections with diverse community stakeholders. These skills are crucial for fostering meaningful engagement, enhancing an organization’s reputation, and effectively addressing community needs.

What is the difference between Community Relations vs Public Relations?

AspectCommunity RelationsPublic Relations
Primary FocusBuilding and maintaining relationships with local communities and stakeholdersManaging the organization's public image and media relations
Work EnvironmentCommunity events, local organizations, nonprofit settingsMedia outlets, press releases, corporate communications
Required CredentialsCommunications, Public Relations, or related degrees; often requires community engagement experienceCommunications, Journalism, or Public Relations degrees; media relations experience

While both roles involve communication skills and stakeholder engagement, Community Relations focuses on local community partnerships and grassroots efforts, whereas Public Relations emphasizes managing the organization's overall public image and media interactions. Understanding these differences helps organizations target the right skills and strategies for each role.

What degree do you need for community relations?

A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field is typically required for community relations roles. Relevant skills such as interpersonal communication, public speaking, and experience with community engagement are also important.

What do you do in community relations?

A community relations professional manages relationships between an organization and the community it serves. They organize events, communicate with stakeholders, and develop programs to promote positive engagement and support the organization's goals. Strong communication skills and knowledge of local issues are essential in this role.

What skills are needed for community relations jobs?

Community relations jobs require strong communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with community members and stakeholders. Additionally, skills in public speaking, conflict resolution, event planning, and cultural competency are important, along with the ability to manage social media and public outreach efforts. Organizational skills and knowledge of local issues also enhance effectiveness in this role.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Community Relations jobs in Tennessee?

For Community Relations jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Community Relations jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Community Relations job openings:

Infographic showing various Community Relations job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,611 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Director of Development and Community Engagement

YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee V

Knoxville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Description:

Position Title: Director of Development & Community Engagement
Supervisor: Chief Executive Officer
Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: 420 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, TN


Overview

YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women across East Tennessee. We live this mission every day through programs and services that help women, children, and families move toward safety, stability, and opportunity.


The Director of Development & Community Engagement leads efforts to strengthen the YWCA's relationships with donors, partners, volunteers, and the broader community. This position is responsible for donor and community communications, fundraising campaigns, special events, sponsorships, stewardship, and organizational storytelling that increase awareness, engagement, and philanthropic support.


Working closely with the CEO and program leadership, the Director translates the YWCA's mission and impact into meaningful opportunities for people and organizations to engage with and invest in our work.


Duties and Responsibilities


Development & Donor Engagement

  • Develop and implement annual strategies for donor cultivation, stewardship, retention, and engagement.
  • Manage donor communications and regular stewardship touchpoints throughout the year.
  • Support the CEO in cultivating and stewarding individual, corporate, foundation, and community relationships.
  • Identify opportunities to deepen relationships with current supporters and engage prospective donors.
  • Lead annual giving campaigns and other fundraising initiatives in coordination with the CEO.
  • Develop sponsorship opportunities and cultivate corporate and community partners.
  • Maintain accurate donor, sponsorship, and engagement information within the organization's CRM.
  • Track development activity and provide regular reporting on fundraising and engagement efforts.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

  • Serve as a visible ambassador for the YWCA and build relationships with businesses, civic organizations, community partners, and other stakeholders.
  • Identify opportunities for partnerships that increase awareness, engagement, and support for YWCA programs.
  • Coordinate organizational participation in community events and engagement opportunities.
  • Develop meaningful opportunities for donors, volunteers, businesses, and community groups to connect with the YWCA's mission.
  • Oversee the organization's approach to volunteer engagement and recognition.

Communications & Storytelling

  • Lead donor and community-facing communications, including newsletters, email campaigns, social media, fundraising appeals, and impact communications.
  • Develop compelling stories that demonstrate program impact and connect supporters to the YWCA's mission.
  • Create communications strategies that support fundraising campaigns, events, donor stewardship, and community engagement.
  • Maintain consistent organizational messaging and brand standards across external communications.
  • Oversee website and social media content to ensure information is current, engaging, and aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Collaborate with program staff to identify stories, outcomes, and opportunities to highlight the impact of YWCA programs.

Special Events

  • Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of YWCA fundraising and community engagement events, including the Keys of Hope Luncheon and other special events.
  • Establish event goals, budgets, timelines, sponsorship strategies, and engagement plans.
  • Cultivate event sponsors and community partners in collaboration with the CEO and Board.
  • Manage vendors, venues, volunteers, communications, registration, and event logistics.
  • Create a strong donor and guest experience before, during, and following events.
  • Evaluate event performance, including revenue, expenses, attendance, sponsorships, and opportunities for future engagement.

Development Strategy & Operations

  • Work with the CEO to develop annual fundraising and community engagement priorities.
  • Maintain a development calendar incorporating campaigns, events, donor communications, stewardship, and community engagement.
  • Track key fundraising, communications, event, and engagement metrics and use results to inform future strategies.
  • Collaborate with Grants & Impact and program leadership to ensure donor communications accurately reflect organizational priorities, outcomes, and funding needs.
  • Support Board members in donor cultivation, community engagement, and fundraising efforts.
  • Help strengthen systems and processes that support sustainable philanthropic growth.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, Development, or a related field preferred.
  • 4–6 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit development, donor engagement, communications, community relations, fundraising, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with donors, community partners, businesses, or other stakeholders.
  • Experience planning fundraising events, campaigns, sponsorships, or donor engagement activities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate organizational impact into compelling stories and messages.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Comfortable representing the organization in community and donor settings.
  • Experience with donor databases or CRM systems preferred.
  • Proficiency with social media, email marketing platforms, and basic design tools such as Canva.
  • Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take ownership of projects from strategy through execution.
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and community activities.
  • Commitment to respectful, inclusive, and relationship-centered engagement with donors, volunteers, partners, staff, and the community.

Compensation and Benefits


Salary Range: $60,000-65,000, with the potential for a performance-based bonus for exceptional achievement of fundraising and engagement goals.


Schedule: Monday–Friday, with flexibility for events and community engagement activities


Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage; life insurance; Employee Assistance Program; retirement plan with employer contribution; and generous paid time off and holidays.


YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage women and individuals from historically underrepresented communities to apply.

Requirements: