ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Vp External Affairs Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Openlands

Vice President of External Affairs

Chicago, IL · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

The Vice President of External Affairs is a member of Openlands' Senior Leadership Team, responsible for integrating and leading the organization's development and communications strategies. This ...

Democracy Fund

$154 - $186/hr

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of External Affairs, you will serve as a key leader and connective tissue across departments, driving integrated campaigns--including our strategic ...

Indiana Electric Cooperatives

$150 - $190/hr

Vice President of Strategic Engagement & External Affairs The Vice President of Strategic Engagement & External Affairs serves as a member of the Cooperative's executive leadership team and provides ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsGovernment JobsFederal Government JobsGovernment Employee JobsVp External Affairs Jobs

Vp External Affairs information

See salary details

$42.5K

$142.1K

$254.5K

How much do vp external affairs jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for vp external affairs in the United States is $142,106.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a VP of External Affairs do?

A VP of External Affairs is responsible for managing an organization’s relationships with external stakeholders, such as government agencies, community groups, industry partners, and the media. They develop strategies to promote the company’s interests, advocate for policy positions, and ensure effective communication with the public. This role often involves overseeing public relations, government affairs, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to enhance the organization's reputation and influence.

What are the primary challenges a VP of External Affairs faces when managing relationships with diverse stakeholders?

A VP of External Affairs often navigates complex relationships with government agencies, community groups, industry partners, and the media. One of the main challenges is balancing the interests and expectations of these varied stakeholders while protecting the organization's reputation and achieving strategic goals. This requires strong communication skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to issue management. Collaboration with internal teams, such as legal, communications, and executive leadership, is also essential to ensure consistent messaging and effective advocacy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a VP of External Affairs, and why are they important?

To thrive as a VP of External Affairs, you need extensive experience in public relations, government relations, and strategic communications, often backed by a relevant degree such as communications, political science, or public administration. Familiarity with CRM software, media monitoring tools, and lobbying compliance systems is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, political acumen, and crisis management abilities help build strong external partnerships and navigate complex stakeholder environments. These competencies are essential for effectively advancing organizational interests and maintaining a positive public image.

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

AspectVp External AffairsPublic Relations Director
Primary FocusStrategic external relationships, government affairs, policy advocacyMedia relations, brand image, communication campaigns
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Public Relations, Communications, or related fields; experience in government or corporate strategyBachelor's in Communications, Public Relations, or related fields; media relations experience
Work EnvironmentCorporate, government, or nonprofit sectors; high-level strategic settingCorporate or agency settings; media and communication teams

The Vp External Affairs typically handles broader strategic relationships, including government and policy engagement, while the Public Relations Director focuses on media relations and brand communication. Both roles require strong communication skills and relevant experience, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

More about Vp External Affairs jobs

What cities are hiring for Vp External Affairs jobs?

Cities with the most Vp External Affairs job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of External Affairs jobs?

The most popular types of External Affairs jobs are:

What states have the most Vp External Affairs jobs?

States with the most job openings for Vp External Affairs jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Vp External Affairs jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Vp External Affairs jobs are:

Vp External Affairs jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vp 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 $142,106 per year, or $68.3 per hour.

Vice President of External Affairs

Openlands

Chicago, IL • On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the organization's fundraising strategy, including major gifts, annual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving.

  • Direct strategic communications, public relations, media engagement, and digital presence to promote the organization's mission and brand.

  • Build, manage, and mentor the Development and Communications teams, and build relationships with donors, partners, media, and the public.

Job description

The Vice President of External Affairs is a member of Openlands' Senior Leadership Team, responsible for integrating and leading the organization's development and communications strategies. This role ensures that fundraising, messaging, and public engagement consistently advance Openlands' mission: conserving vital landscapes, connecting people with nature, and rooting land at the heart of our region's identity and resilience.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the VP builds and stewards relationships with donors, partners, media, and the public, and works closely with the Vice Presidents of Policy and Land Conservation and Land Management to ensure that storytelling and fundraising are fully integrated across the land conservation lifecycle — from policy and acquisition through community-driven restoration and long-term stewardship.

The VP directly supervises the Communications team and the Development team. Given the Director of Development's fundraising responsibilities, that role also maintains a dotted-line relationship to the President and CEO.

Essential Job Functions

Leadership and Strategy

Serve on the Senior Leadership Team, shaping Openlands' strategic direction, priorities, and cross-functional collaboration.

Act as strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team on all external affairs matters.

Develop and execute an integrated external affairs strategy that aligns development, communications, and brand.

Build, manage, and mentor high-performing Development and Communications teams.

Partner with the Vice Presidents of Policy and Land Conservation and Land Management to ensure fundraising and communications reflect accurate, compelling impact data.

Collaborate with Finance leadership at the beginning of each fiscal year to ensure fiscal alignment.

Communications and Branding

Direct strategic communications, public relations, media engagement, and digital presence.

Ensure consistent, compelling brand messaging across all channels; serve as steward of brand voice and visual identity.

Lead crisis communications response.

Partner with fellow VPs to translate program outcomes into compelling public stories and visuals.

Partner with the Board of Directors and Communications Committee to advance strategic communications and brand objectives.

Development and Fundraising

Lead the organization's fundraising strategy — major gifts, annual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving — in partnership with the President and CEO.

Directly manage the Director of Development, coordinating closely with the CEO given the role's dotted-line reporting.

Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors and institutional funders.

Partner with the Board of Directors and Development Committee to advance fundraising goals.

Build the systems, processes, and staff capacity needed to support donor growth and retention.

Data, Evaluation and Impact

Partner with the Vice Presidents of Policy and Land Conservation and Land Management to build shared systems for collecting, evaluating, and reporting data across land-based programs.

Define success metrics and track progress toward organization-wide goals alongside fellow VPs.

Use data and evaluation results to shape fundraising and communications narratives.

Ensure public materials accurately reflect shared outcomes and organizational success measures.

Partnerships and Public Engagement

Build relationships with government agencies, community partners, peer organizations, and media.

Develop strategies to raise visibility and public awareness of Openlands' mission and programs.

Represent Openlands at key events, conferences, and donor meetings.

Education, Skills and Abilities

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, public relations, environmental studies, or a related field preferred; Master's degree a plus.

Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising, communications, or external affairs; nonprofit and/or environmental sector experience strongly preferred.

Proven success leading integrated development and communications teams, with a track record of effective impact storytelling.

Demonstrated ability to build donor and media relationships that advance mission and funding.

Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Strong strategic thinking, planning, and organizational development skills.

Commitment to conservation as a tool for equity, climate resilience, biodiversity, and public good.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with Salesforce a plus.

Willingness to travel regionally for meetings, site visits, and public events.

Apply