Assistant Director of External Affairs

Travis County; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Travis County is seeking an Assistant Director of External Affairs to lead communications, public affairs, and community engagement for the County Clerk's Office. The role drives strategic partnerships, media relations, and public information efforts while guiding a multidisciplinary team across multiple locations, including telework.

The ideal candidate will bring strong planning, relationship-building, and leadership abilities, translating government services into accessible information for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Government, Criminal Justice or a related field and 5 years of progressively responsible government experience
• Two years of mid-to-senior level supervisory or management experience

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and evaluates communications, outreach, and public engagement strategies.
• Leads in media relations, public information, and outreach campaigns.
• Oversees community engagement, stakeholder meetings, and partnerships.
• Directs staff, performance management, and professional development.
• Represents the office in meetings, events, and media engagements.
• Ensures messages are accessible and consistent with office priorities.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public affairs

Media relations

Community engagement

Stakeholder relations

Strategic planning

Program evaluation

Budget development

Leadership & mentoring

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or related

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets (Excel)

Databases

Content management systems

Social media platforms

Presentation software

Job description

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of External Affairs serves as a strategic leader responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating the County Clerk’s Office communications, public affairs, community engagement, and stakeholder relations programs. This position provides leadership and direction for a multidisciplinary team responsible for communications, media relations, community outreach, public information requests, Commissioners Court support functions, and administrative operations.

The Assistant Director is responsible for identifying opportunities to increase the visibility of the County Clerk’s Office through public education initiatives, strategic partnerships, media engagement, speaking opportunities, and community outreach campaigns. This position evaluates the effectiveness of communications and engagement efforts, recommends strategic adjustments, and ensures messaging remains consistent, accessible, and aligned with the mission and goals of the office.

The ideal candidate is a highly skilled communications and public affairs professional with strong strategic planning, relationship-building, and leadership abilities. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, political awareness, creativity, and the ability to translate complex government services and initiatives into meaningful, accessible information for diverse audiences.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a job classification within the Management job family. Incumbents in this classification oversee the External Affairs division in the County Clerk’s Office and report to the Chief Deputy of Elections. The incumbent manages a group of six subordinate professionals at various office locations, including telework.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive communications, outreach, and public engagement strategies that advance the County Clerk's Office mission, strategic priorities, and public service objectives.
• Leads the development of public awareness, education, and engagement campaigns; identifies opportunities to expand community reach, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and increase public understanding of County Clerk programs, services, and initiatives.
• Oversees community engagement efforts, including outreach plans, presentations, public events, stakeholder meetings, and strategic partnerships, ensuring activities align with organizational goals and community needs.
• Directs communications activities, including media relations, social media management, public messaging, talking points, public information materials, and responses to external inquiries, ensuring messaging is accurate, consistent, accessible, and aligned with office priorities.
• Provides strategic recommendations to executive leadership regarding communications initiatives, stakeholder engagement, public perception, emerging issues, and opportunities to enhance public trust and awareness.
• Establishes goals, performance measures, and evaluation methods for communications and outreach initiatives; analyzes outcomes and community feedback to improve effectiveness and inform future strategies.
• Supervises Commissioners Court support functions, including court minutes, agenda and records requests, and records digitization efforts, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and operational standards.
• Supervises, coaches, and develops assigned staff; establishes priorities and performance expectations; provides regular feedback and accountability; and fosters strategic thinking, innovation, collaboration, and professional growth within the division.
• Promotes continuous improvement by encouraging creative problem‑solving, identifying new opportunities for public engagement, and implementing innovative approaches to communications and outreach.
• Represents the office in meetings, public events, media engagements, and community activities, serving as a professional ambassador for the County Clerk's Office and its mission.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Government, Criminal Justice or a directly related field AND five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in government or related field, including two (2) years of mid‑to senior level supervisory or management experience.

OR any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements

None required.

Knowledge of

• Management and supervisory principles, practices, and techniques.
• Strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, community engagement, and stakeholder relations principles and best practices.
• Strategic planning, performance measurement, and program evaluation methodologies.
• Budget development, administration, and resource allocation practices.
• Principles of organizational leadership, change management, and employee development.
• Public meeting processes, governmental operations, and intergovernmental relations.
• Computer equipment and software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, content management systems, social media platforms, and presentation software.
• Business writing, grammar, punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in

• Developing and implementing strategic communications, outreach, and public engagement initiatives.
• Leading cross‑functional teams and managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Supervising staff, allocating resources, managing performance, and fostering professional development.
• Strategic planning, program development, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Developing public education, awareness, and engagement campaigns.
• Building partnerships and maintaining effective relationships with community organizations, governmental entities, media representatives, and stakeholders.
• Analyzing issues, exercising sound judgment, and making effective decisions in complex or sensitive situations.
• Developing, monitoring, and managing program budgets and resources.
• Conflict resolution, negotiation, and consensus building.
• Verbal and written communication, including public speaking, presentations, executive communications, and media interactions.

Ability to

• Develop and execute strategic plans, initiatives, and engagement strategies that support organizational goals.
• Advise executive leadership on communications, stakeholder engagement, public perception, and emerging issues.
• Develop, mentor, coach, and evaluate staff while fostering accountability, innovation, and strategic thinking.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, operational plans, and performance measures.
• Identify opportunities for organizational improvement and recommend innovative solutions.
• Analyze complex information, evaluate alternatives, and develop practical recommendations.
• Represent the County Clerk's Office effectively with elected officials, community leaders, media representatives, governmental agencies, and the public.
• Prepare and present administrative, operational, and statistical reports.
• Manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and organize diverse activities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Prepare correspondence, memoranda, presentations, briefing materials, and other written communications.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, community stakeholders, representatives of outside agencies, County employees, and the general public.
• Respond effectively and professionally to sensitive, controversial, or high‑profile issues and situations.
• Work extended and non‑traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime during critical operation periods and election cycle.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 5-15 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. The position involves regular voter and public contact, occasional outdoor activities, and a potential risk of exposure to odors, communicable diseases, and hazardous materials. The role is subject to high‑stress environments, particularly during election cycles, and requires availability for on‑call assignments during critical operation periods.

Travis County employees play an essential role in maintaining business continuity of County operations and may be assigned to duties outside of their normal job functions, including emergency response, disaster recovery, or continuity efforts as needed. This job description is intended to be generic in nature and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. Essential functions, assigned duties, and overtime eligibility may vary based on operational needs and specific assignments.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.

Location: 5501 Airport.

Department: County Clerk.

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: [e-mail].