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External Relations Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

The Communications and External Relations Vice-Presidency (CERVP) manages the WBG's external engagement, reputation, and strategic communications. Within CER, the Department of Global External ...

Five (5) years of professional development, fundraising or external relations experience. Other: The position may or may not involve supervisory responsibilities. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES: Skill ...

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External Relations information

See Washington, DC salary details

$39.1K

$94.7K

$151.8K

How much do external relations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for external relations in Washington, DC is $94,714.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,600.00 and $110,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do external relations do?

External relations professionals manage an organization's relationships with outside entities such as partners, government agencies, media, and the community. They handle communication strategies, public relations, and stakeholder engagement to support organizational goals. Strong communication skills and knowledge of public relations tools are essential in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an external relations professional, and why are they important?

To excel in External Relations, you need strong communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning skills, often supported by a degree in communications, public relations, or a related field. Familiarity with media monitoring tools, CRM systems, and digital communication platforms is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability help professionals stand out when engaging diverse stakeholders. These competencies ensure effective representation, foster partnerships, and enhance the organization's reputation in competitive environments.

What is the difference between External Relations vs Public Relations?

AspectExternal RelationsPublic Relations
Primary FocusManaging relationships with external stakeholders, partners, and government entitiesShaping public perception and media communication
Work EnvironmentCorporate, nonprofit, government sectorsMedia outlets, PR agencies, corporate communications
Required CredentialsCommunications, public relations, or related degrees; often certifications in stakeholder engagementCommunications, journalism, or PR degrees; media relations certifications

External Relations and Public Relations both involve communication strategies, but External Relations emphasizes building relationships with external stakeholders like partners and government, while Public Relations focuses on managing the organization's public image and media interactions. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job focus within the communications field.

How does the external relations role typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

External Relations professionals work closely with departments such as Marketing, Communications, Public Affairs, and Executive Leadership to ensure consistent messaging and strategy alignment. They often coordinate cross-functional teams when managing campaigns, events, or crisis communications, and act as a bridge between the organization and external stakeholders. Effective collaboration is key, as it helps maintain the organization’s reputation and fosters beneficial partnerships. Regular meetings and updates with internal teams are common to keep everyone informed and aligned on goals.

What is external relations?

External relations refer to the management of an organization's interactions and communications with outside entities such as partners, stakeholders, media, government agencies, and the general public. Professionals in this field work to build and maintain positive relationships that support the organization's goals, reputation, and growth. Their responsibilities often include public relations, community engagement, crisis communication, and collaboration with external partners. Effective external relations help organizations to enhance their visibility, influence policy, and create strategic alliances.
What are the most commonly searched types of External Relations jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of External Relations jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to External Relations jobs in Washington, DC? For External Relations jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching External Relations jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for External Relations jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various External Relations job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,714 per year, or $45.5 per hour.

External Relations Coordinator

Vital Voices Global Partnership

Washington, DC • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Organization Description 

Vital Voices Global Partnership is a leading international non-profit organization. We invest in women leaders who are tackling the world's greatest challenges - from gender-based violence to the climate crisis, economic inequities, and more. We are "venture catalysts," identifying leaders with a daring vision for change and partnering with them to make that vision a reality. What sets Vital Voices apart is that we make long-term, holistic investments in leaders with bold ideas for change - providing them connections, capacity, a network of their peers, financial support, and visibility for their work. We have provided early support for leaders who went on to become Nobel Peace Laureates, US Youth Poet Laureates, Prime Ministers, award winning innovators and breakthrough social entrepreneurs. Over the past 27 years, we have directly invested in more than 47,000 change-makers across 188 countries, who in turn have improved the lives of millions of people in their communities and countries. 

Vital Voices' staff is headquartered in Washington, DC. In the coming years we have a bold vision to dramatically scale our impact. In early 2022, we opened the first ever Global Headquarters for Women's Leadership, a 30,000+ sq. ft. historic building just blocks from the White House on 16th Street. It is a hub of activity, events, and collaborations - bringing together women leaders and their allies to tackle the world's greatest challenges.

Mission

Vital Voices invests in women leaders taking on the world's greatest challenges and accelerates collective action towards an equitable and sustainable world. 

Summary

The Coordinator, External Relations provides high-level coordination and operational support to the Chief External Relations Officer (CERO) and the broader External Relations team, ensuring effective execution of strategic priorities across Development, Communications, Events, and external partnerships.

This role serves as a key connector across the External Relations team, supporting executive priorities, coordinating complex calendars and meetings, preparing leadership materials, managing information flow, and ensuring seamless execution of high-impact initiatives.

The External Relations Coordinator will work closely with senior leaders, internal teams, donors, partners, Board members, and external stakeholders to support the effectiveness of the CERO and the External Relations department. This position requires exceptional organizational skills, sound judgment, discretion, attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate needs in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

This position is based in Washington, DC with the option of a hybrid work schedule. Remote candidates are not being considered.

Executive Support & Coordination

  • Manage and prioritize a complex executive calendar.
  • Coordinate internal and external meetings with senior leaders, donors, partners, and stakeholders.
  • Prepare meeting agendas, briefing materials, presentations, and background documents.
  • Track follow-up items, decisions, and action steps.
  • Coordinate travel arrangements, itineraries, and expense reporting.
  • Prepare meeting notes and ensure timely follow-through.
  • Anticipate needs and proactively support executive priorities.

External Relations Team Coordination

  • Coordinate division-wide meetings and planning sessions.
  • Maintain departmental calendars and key milestone tracking.
  • Support leadership communications and updates.
  • Organize materials for executive meetings and strategic discussions.
  • Manage internal information flow to ensure priorities remain aligned.
  • Support cross-functional initiatives and special projects.
  • Manage invoices, expenses, and administrative requests.
  • Maintain shared files, records, and databases.
  • Create project trackers and timelines, monitor deadlines and deliverables.
  • Support executive participation in events.
  • Coordinate schedules, materials, and logistics for Vital Voices events.
  • Assist with VIP event engagement and guest preparation.
  • Support event-related communications and follow-up.

Board, Donor & Partner Engagement Support

  • Prepare briefing materials and meeting documents.
  • Coordinate schedules and logistics.
  • Support donor and partner meetings.
  • Maintain organized records and follow-up actions.
  • Assist with special events and executive convenings.
  • Support relationship management activities.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, communications, nonprofit management, international relations, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum of 4-6 years of relevant experience supporting senior executives, leadership teams, or complex organizations.
  • Experience managing executive calendars, meetings, and high-level communications.
  • Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships across teams and with external stakeholders.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Experience with project management tools such as Asana, Monday.com, or similar platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting C-suite executives or senior leadership teams.
  • Experience coordinating donor, Board, or external partner engagement.
  • Experience working in a nonprofit, philanthropic, or mission-driven organization
  • Familiarity with fundraising, communications, events, or external relations functions.
  • Experience with Salesforce or CRM platforms.
  • Strong interest in global women's leadership, human rights, and social impact.

This position is a full-time, exempt hybrid position based in Washington, DC with two days of required in person attendance at the Vital Voices Headquarters. If and when it is safe to travel, domestic and international travel up to 10% may be required for the position. 

The anticipated starting salary for this role is $71,700, with flexibility up to $79,100 for candidates who bring additional experience, skills or qualifications beyond the core requirements of the position.

Benefits:

At Vital Voices, we value our employees and their well-being. That's why we offer a competitive and comprehensive compensation package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k match, short and long-term disability, life insurance, HSA, EAP, and more. But that's not all. We believe in giving our employees the flexibility and support they need to thrive in their work and life. That's why we provide generous PTO including wellness flex Fridays, parental leave, earned sabbatical time, and volunteer leave as well as a professional development stipend to support continuous improvement. Join us and be part of a global team that empowers women leaders to transform the world. 

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Vital Voices provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Vital Voices complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  

Vital Voices expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Vital Voices' employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge. Â