Assistant Director of Community Relations

Howard Community College; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 81,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Howard Community College is seeking an Assistant Director of Community Relations to advance the college’s visibility and partnerships in Howard County and beyond. The role coordinates community outreach activities, external engagements, and special projects while providing high-level administrative support to the Vice President and OGEA.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of related experience in community relations or government affairs, with strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration or related field.
• Three years of progressive experience in community relations or related areas.
• Experience coordinating meetings, events, or external-facing activities.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Strong written, oral, organizational, and interpersonal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead community engagement strategies to increase visibility and partnerships.
• Represent the College at events and meetings with external stakeholders.
• Coordinate outreach to diverse communities and track engagements.
• Provide high-level administrative support to the Vice President and Office of Government and External Affairs.
• Maintain records and manage schedules, travel, and budgets.
• Collaborate with internal departments to support external presence.
• Ensure inclusivity and cultural responsiveness in outreach.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Professional writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, communications, public relations, government relations, business administration, higher education administration, nonprofit management, or related field

Job description

Assistant Director of Community Relations

Howard Community College ( HCC ) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever‑changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

Position Title Assistant Director of Community Relations

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

FT/PT

FT/PT Full Time

Hours Per Week 37.5

Work Schedule

Work Schedule Monday-Friday

Grade

Grade 17

Compensation Range

Compensation Range $81,019-94,000 The posted salary range reflects the anticipated hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, and internal equity considerations.

The Assistant Director of Community Relations provides professional, administrative, and community‑engagement support to the Office of Government and External Affairs ( OGEA ). Reporting to the Vice President of Government and External Affairs, the position assists in strengthening Howard Community College’s visibility, relationships, and presence throughout Howard County and the surrounding community.

The Assistant Director coordinates community outreach activities, events, meetings, external engagements, and special projects and assists in maintaining effective relationships with civic, cultural, faith‑based, nonprofit, governmental, educational, and community organizations.

The position also provides high‑level operational and administrative support to the Vice President and OGEA , including scheduling, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, budget and expense administration, preparation of materials, records management, engagement tracking, and general office coordination.

The incumbent works collaboratively with the Director of Community Relations and other College departments to support a coordinated, inclusive, and effective institutional presence in the community.

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Assists in implementing community‑engagement strategies that advance the College’s mission, priorities, and visibility throughout Howard County.
• Represents the College at community events, civic programs, cultural activities, faith‑community events, government meetings, commissions, partnership activities, and other external engagements as assigned.
• Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with community organizations, nonprofit organizations, civic associations, educational partners, government representatives, and other external stakeholders.
• Coordinates outreach to diverse communities and supports engagement practices that are inclusive, culturally responsive, and appropriate to the audiences served.
• Identifies community events, meetings, programs, and partnership opportunities that may benefit the College and brings them to the attention of OGEA leadership.
• Conducts routine follow‑up with community partners and tracks commitments, requests, referrals, and next steps.

Events and Engagement Coordination

• Coordinates logistical and administrative aspects of community‑facing events, meetings, receptions, programs, and other OGEA activities.
• Assists with preparation of briefing materials, agendas, talking points, presentations, background information, attendance lists, and other materials required for external engagements.
• Coordinates schedules, facilities, vendors, internal participants, materials, travel, and other logistical requirements.
• Maintains records of community engagements, College participation, stakeholder contacts, outcomes, follow‑up activities, and related data.

Executive and Office Support

• Provides high‑level administrative and operational support to the Vice President of Government and External Affairs.
• Manages or assists with calendar coordination, scheduling, meeting preparation, travel arrangements, expense reconciliation, purchasing, cost‑center administration, and related office functions.
• Coordinates meetings involving internal and external stakeholders and ensures that required materials, background information, logistics, and follow‑up items are addressed.
• Maintains organized and confidential records and files.
• Tracks assignments, deadlines, correspondence, and follow‑up actions on behalf of the Vice President and OGEA .
• Assists with special projects, cross‑functional initiatives, and assignments as directed.

Internal Collaboration

• Works closely with the Director of Community Relations to support coordination of the College’s external community presence.
• Collaborates with academic and administrative departments to obtain information, materials, and resources needed for community events and outreach.
• Helps ensure that College representatives are appropriately prepared for external engagements and have materials responsive to specific audiences.
• Supports consistent communication regarding community activities, partnerships, and engagement opportunities.

Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, communications, public relations, government relations, business administration, higher education administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in community relations, external affairs, executive support, event planning, public administration, higher education, nonprofit administration, government, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex meetings, events, projects, or external‑facing activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.
• Strong written, oral, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three to five years of directly related experience.
• Experience in higher education, government, nonprofit, public affairs, or community‑based organizations.
• Experience working with community leaders, elected officials, public agencies, or civic organizations.
• Experience supporting a senior executive or department head.
• Experience with budget administration, purchasing, expense reconciliation, or office operations.
• Knowledge of Howard County and its governmental, civic, nonprofit, cultural, and community organizations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
• Excellent organizational and project‑coordination skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with senior College leaders, elected officials, community leaders, partners, and members of the public.
• Cultural awareness and demonstrated commitment to inclusive community engagement.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment within established policies and priorities.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong attention to detail and follow‑through.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Proficiency with standard office, scheduling, presentation, spreadsheet, records‑management, and communication applications

Physical Demand Summary

This position performs professional‑level community‑relations work and exercises independent judgment in coordinating community engagements, events, stakeholder communications, and office operations. Strategic direction, significant institutional commitments, policy decisions, and higher‑level external‑relations strategy remain with the Vice President, Director of Community Relations, and other senior College leadership.

The role therefore reflects an Assistant Director‑level professional position with substantial coordination and implementation responsibilities, rather than independent ownership of a major institutional external‑affairs portfolio.

Supervisory Position?

No

Division

President's Office

Department

President's Office

Posting Number

B696P

Number of Vacancies

1

Best Consideration Date

11/18/2026

Job Open Date

11/04/2026

Continuous Recruitment?

No

Job Category

Staff

Benefits Summary

Howard Community College offers competitive salaries, excellent medical and dental selections, tuition reimbursement and paid leave programs. As a participating member of the Maryland Retirement and Pension System, HCC offers two retirement options: The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution and The ORP , a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only. Employees in positions that do not require a bachelor’s degree must participate in The Pension. Employees that possess a bachelor’s degree and hold professional positions that require a bachelor’s degree may choose to participate in either The Pension or The ORP .

*Pre‑employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment.

HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally not sponsor applicants for work visas. Due to HCC policy, only employees living in states contiguous to Maryland are eligible for work at HCC and include Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Candidates must live in the commutable area or willing to relocate at their own expense if offered the position because HCC does not offer relocation benefits.

Howard Community College ( HCC ) is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Aff ... All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

HCC understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 443-518-1100.

References

Minimum Requests 3

Maximum Requests 3

Cut-off Date

Special Instructions to Reference Provider

Howard Community College

10901 Little Patuxent Parkway

Columbia, MD 21044

Human Resources Phone: [phone]

Human Resources Fax: [phone]