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Director External Communications Jobs in Rochester, MN

Benchmark

Senior Director, Supply Chain

Rochester, MN · On-site

$185K - $209K/yr

... communications, complex industrials, medical, and semiconductor capital equipment. We prioritize ... Plan, budget, organize and direct flow of work to meet both internal and external expectations • ...

Mayo Clinic

Development Assistant Director

Rochester, MN · Hybrid

$92K - $129K/yr

The Development Assistant Director will qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts ... communicate effectively with internal and external audiences. The ability to work independently ...

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All JobsExternal Communications JobsDirector External Communications JobsDirector External Communications Jobs in Rochester, MN

Director External Communications information

See Rochester, MN salary details

$29.9K

$129K

$199.8K

How much do director external communications jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for director external communications in Rochester, MN is $128,982.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,699.00 and $178,850.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of external communications do?

A Director of External Communications is responsible for managing and overseeing an organization's public image and messaging to external audiences. This includes developing communication strategies, handling media relations, crafting press releases, and ensuring consistent messaging across all channels. They often act as a spokesperson for the organization and coordinate with other departments to align external communications with organizational goals. Their work is critical to building and maintaining the reputation of the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of external communications?

To thrive as a Director of External Communications, you need expertise in public relations, media strategy, and brand messaging, typically supported by a degree in communications, public relations, or a related field. Familiarity with media monitoring tools, press release distribution platforms, and crisis communication systems is usually required. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills help you build relationships with key stakeholders and effectively manage teams. These capabilities ensure the organization’s reputation is protected and its messaging reaches target audiences with clarity and impact.

What are some typical challenges a director of external communications faces when aligning messaging across multiple departments?

A Director of External Communications often encounters the challenge of ensuring consistent messaging while balancing input from diverse departments such as marketing, legal, and executive leadership. This requires strong collaboration skills and the ability to synthesize various perspectives into unified communications that accurately represent the organization's values. Navigating differing priorities and managing approvals can add complexity, but effective Directors foster open communication channels and establish clear messaging guidelines to streamline the process.

What is the difference between Director External Communications vs Public Relations Manager?

AspectDirector External CommunicationsPublic Relations Manager
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often advanced degrees in communications or related fieldsBachelor's degree; relevant experience in PR or communications
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, overseeing external messaging, collaborating with executivesExecuting PR campaigns, media relations, managing press releases
Industry UsageUsed across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors for high-level external messagingCommon in corporate and agency settings for managing public image

The main difference is that the Director External Communications focuses on strategic oversight and high-level external messaging, while the Public Relations Manager handles day-to-day PR activities and media relations. The director typically has broader responsibilities and a higher level of seniority, often leading teams and setting communication strategies.

What job categories do people searching Director External Communications jobs in Rochester, MN look for?

The top searched job categories for Director External Communications jobs in Rochester, MN are:

What cities near Rochester, MN are hiring for Director External Communications jobs?

Cities near Rochester, MN with the most Director External Communications job openings:

Director External Communications jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director External Communications job openings in Rochester, MN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,982 per year, or $62 per hour.

Temporary, Part-time, Communications Specialist

Rochester Public Schools

Rochester, MN

$21 - $23/hr

Part-time

Posted 5 days ago

Rochester Public Schools rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 639 rated elementary and secondary schools

Job description

POSITION: Temporary, Part-time, Communications Specialist, available August 31, 2026 through March 12, 2027. 


WORK SCHEDULE: 25 hours per week; In-person, hours between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; flexibility offered for attendance at school or district events, etc.


WORK CALENDAR: View the 2026-2027 Work Calendar


CLASSIFICATION: ROPE; Non-Exempt, Temporary


SALARY: $21-$23 per hour


Hiring Manager: Mamisoa Knutson, Director of Communications


JOB SUMMARY:

Rochester Public Schools is seeking a communications specialist to join the Communications department for a seven-month position. This individual will play a critical role in maintaining and growing the district’s digital presence through external communications. The ideal candidate has excellent skills in written, digital, and social communications, exceptional interpersonal skills, and great attention to detail. They will be self-motivated, able to work independently and collaboratively, and to execute multiple projects at the same time.


ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop compelling content for a variety of digital platforms, including social media, web, and email.
  • Create and maintain monthly content calendars and deliverables.
  • Collaborate with the District graphic designer on major projects/social media campaigns, and utilize tools like Canva or Adobe for additional content creation.
  • Serve as a backup to take photos and videos of students and staff for content creation.
  • Ability to create short-form videos for social media promotion; experience with DJI microphones and Nikon cameras preferred but not required.
  • Maintain both District and Schools social media accounts, driving growth and engagement across Meta platforms.
  • Create engaging web stories that can be cross-promoted through social media to highlight the District Strategic Plan.
  • Collaborate with members of the communications team on various projects, as directed by the supervisor.
  • May require attendance at evening or weekend meetings or events (10%)
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor


JOB REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or related field OR an Associate's degree with 1-3 years of experience related to the position OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Experienced writer with experience and knowledge in copywriting, editing, and proofreading.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills, working independently and collaboratively to drive forward multiple projects
  • Experience in social media management, specifically across Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram)
  • High personal motivation supporting a strong work ethic, flexibility, and creativity
  • Proficiency in Canva, Adobe, Meta Suite, and Google Suite
  • Ability to work both independently and collaborate with a team


Commitment to Equity:

Rochester Public Schools is committed to diversifying its workforce to better reflect the community we serve. We believe the practices used in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, supporting, and promoting staff must include and honor, at every level, those who represent the diverse identities of our schools and community.

https://www.rochesterschools.org/equity-statement


Common and Shared Accountabilities for All Positions

Employees of the Rochester Public School District #535 are expected to support the goals, model and promote an environment that is respectful for all, and work collaboratively with other staff to focus on the needs of the learner. A quality, customer focus that conveys a welcome attitude, an adaptability to change, and a desire for continuous improvement is also expected of all employees. In addition, staff are to respect confidential matters, encourage a safe and secure environment throughout the schools, and be dependable and accountable employees.


District Information: To learn more about Rochester Public Schools, visit www.rochesterschools.org.


All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.

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