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Director Of External Affairs Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Director of External Affairs leads NTTA's marketing, public affairs, public relations, strategic external communications, oversees brand strategy, customer engagement, customer rewards programs ...

The Colorado Director of External Affairs advances The Nature Conservancy's mission by designing, influencing and implementing durable policy solutions that contribute to a world where nature and ...

$95 - $105/hr

The Assistant Director of External Affairs reports to the Director of External Affairs and plays a key role in advancing JCRC Bay Area's strategy to build meaningful relationships across the Bay Area.

$90 - $130/hr

Director of External Affairs and Government Relations Please see Special Instructions for more details. Please Note: * * A criminal background check will be conducted on the candidate finalist prior ...

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$33K

$105.4K

$198K

How much do director of external affairs jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of external affairs in the United States is $105,391.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,500.00 and $138,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a director of external affairs?

A Director of External Affairs is a senior-level professional responsible for managing and overseeing an organization's relationships with external stakeholders, such as government agencies, community groups, industry partners, and the media. Their role typically involves developing and implementing strategies for public relations, advocacy, and policy engagement to advance the organization's goals and reputation. They may also coordinate communications, monitor legislative or regulatory issues, and represent the organization at public events or meetings. This position requires strong communication, leadership, and strategic planning skills.

How does a director of external affairs typically collaborate with other departments to advance organizational goals?

A Director of External Affairs works closely with departments such as marketing, public relations, government relations, and executive leadership to ensure consistent messaging and strategic alignment. This role often acts as a liaison, coordinating cross-functional teams during public campaigns, stakeholder engagements, or crisis communications. Effective collaboration is essential for managing the organization's reputation and building strong external partnerships. Regular meetings, joint planning sessions, and clear communication channels are typical practices to maintain alignment and achieve shared objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of external affairs, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of External Affairs, you need expertise in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and public relations, often supported by a degree in communications, public policy, or a related field. Familiarity with media monitoring tools, CRM platforms, and government relations systems is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and the ability to build strong networks set top performers apart. These skills are crucial for effectively representing an organization, managing its public image, and advancing its interests with key external audiences.

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

AspectDirector Of External AffairsPublic Relations Manager
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often advanced degrees in communications, public relations, or related fieldsBachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or marketing
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership in organizations, government agencies, or nonprofitsMedia campaigns, press releases, and media interactions
Employer & IndustryCorporations, government, nonprofitsCorporations, agencies, nonprofits
Primary FocusManaging external relationships, policy advocacy, stakeholder engagementManaging media relations, brand image, and public perception

The main difference is that the Director Of External Affairs oversees broader external relationships and strategic initiatives, while the Public Relations Manager focuses on media and public image management. Both roles require strong communication skills and industry experience, but the Director Of External Affairs typically handles higher-level strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.

How much does a director of external affairs make?

The average salary for a director of external affairs typically ranges from $90,000 to $180,000 annually, depending on the industry, organization size, and location. Senior roles often include additional benefits such as bonuses and stock options, and strong communication and stakeholder management skills are essential for success.
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Infographic showing various Director Of External Affairs job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,391 per year, or $50.7 per hour.

Director of External Affairs

City of New York

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


City Of New York rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 81 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

627th of 854 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Job Description

DCAS's mission is to make city government work for all New Yorkers. From managing New York City's most iconic courthouses and municipal buildings, to purchasing over $1 billion annually in goods and services for more than 80 City agencies what we do ensures that all agencies can deliver on their mission. Our reach touches every facet of city government and is instrumental to the successful day-to-day operations of the City of New York.
Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the critical resources and support needed to succeed, including:
- Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.
- Managing 56 public buildings.
- Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.
- Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.
- Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
- Leading the City's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.
When you work at DCAS, you're not just working for one agency, but in service of them all. It's an opportunity to provide impactful support, quality customer service, and help protect the future of New York City for generations to come. Visit our website at nyc.gov/dcas to learn more about the work we do.
Public Affairs plays a vital role in advancing the agency's priorities and strengthening relationships with elected officials, government agencies, community leaders, and other key stakeholders. The team is responsible for developing and executing intergovernmental engagement strategies that promote the agency's initiatives, facilitate coordination across government, and ensure the agency is responsive to the needs and priorities of its external partners. Through strategic outreach, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement, Public Affairs helps position the agency as a trusted partner and effective resource within city government.
The Director of External Affairs will play a key role in supporting the deputy commissioner and providing guidance on the implementation of critical communication and legislative initiatives. This individual will provide thorough and detailed analysis to the Deputy Commissioner of pending legislative proposals impacting the agency and work to ensure compliance with all applicable local laws and executive orders. The Director of External Affairs will also serve as a primary contact for various internal and external stakeholders, taking initiative to troubleshoot issues on behalf of the DC and work to identify suitable solutions.
This individual will provide critical support to the agency on the impact of legislative proposals with a particular focus on state legislative items. Currently, there is no individual within the agency dedicated to state legislative items. We typically support the Mayor's Office as needed. Having a dedicated individual will allow the agency to better assess proposals and explain with greater detail the impact on the agency and city operations.
Reporting to the Deputy Commissioner, with latitude for independent judgment and initiative, the Director of External Affairs will be responsible for but not limited to the following:
- Develop and advance the agency's legislative and regulatory agenda in coordination with the Commissioner and executive staff.
- Serve as the primary liaison to City Hall, elected officials, and sister agencies on high-level legislative, intergovernmental, and constituent matters.
- Coordinate intergovernmental and public affairs activities with other city agencies and non-government partners.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with community boards and community leaders to support the agency's work.
- Lead the agency's preparation for City Council hearings, task force meetings, oversight proceedings, and other governmental engagements, including the development of testimony, briefing materials, and talking points.
- Monitor, analyze, and assess legislative and regulatory developments and provide strategic recommendations to agency leadership.
- Lead the effective implementation of the agency's government affairs and external relations strategy.
- Oversee the agency's response to City Hall and City Council inquiries, ensuring responses are accurate, timely, coordinated, and strategically aligned with agency priorities.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
To Apply:
Please go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job ID #794504.
For current City employees please go to www.nyc.gov/ess and log into Employee Self Service.
NO PHONE CALLS, FAXES OR PERSONAL INQUIRIES PERMITTED. NOTE: ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS PROMOT - 1000C

Qualifications

1. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business administration, public administration, urban planning, economics, urban affairs, marketing research, finance, or political science and three years of satisfactory full-time professional experience handling business promotion related to capital projects, urban planning, economic development, or financial development at least two years of which must have been in a managerial or executive capacity; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and five years of satisfactory full-time professional experience as described in "1" above, including two years of managerial or executive experience described in "1" above; or
3. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Thirty (30) graduate semester credits from an accredited college or university will be considered equivalent to one year of the required experience. However, all candidates must have two years of managerial or executive experience as described in "1" above and a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.
Experience in a managerial capacity must include, but is not limited to, responsibilities such as: strategic planning for an office/division; creating and implementing policies; setting standards and best practices defining and documenting project scope; root cause analysis with recommendations; collaborating with other managers and executives to define future state of a program; and/or forecasting.
Experience in an executive capacity must include, but is not limited to, responsibilities such as managing multiple bureaus, areas and/or divisions; formulating the organizational strategy/governance; formulating the organization's architectural strategy; developing, setting and enforcing the organization's policies; developing partnerships; and/or developing the organization's budget, cost savings, and revenue generation.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.


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