Director of Community Relations

University of New England; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental plans

Up to 8% retirement plan match

Generous leave time and holidays

Educational benefits: UNE tuition waiv

Spouse/partner tuition waiver

50% tuition reduction

Job summary

The University of New England in Maine seeks a Director of Community Relations to lead UNE’s external engagement with community leaders, business, civic and nonprofit partners across Biddeford, Portland, and surrounding areas.

This senior role translates university initiatives into actionable outreach, advises leadership on stakeholder perspectives, and builds strategic partnerships to advance education, health, workforce development, and public service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, business, nonprofit leadership, or related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in community relations, external affairs, or related areas.
• Proven ability to build relationships with business, civic, nonprofit and community leaders.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, facilitation and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead UNE’s community relations strategy and external engagement.
• Represent UNE at community events, meetings and forums across Biddeford, Portland, and nearby areas.
• Advise university leadership on stakeholder perspectives, issues, and opportunities.
• Build strategic partnerships to create shared value in education, health, workforce development, and public service.
• Lead community engagement communications, newsletters, and event communications.
• Coordinate cross‑unit planning on facilities, campus operations and community impact.
• Support crisis communications and protect UNE’s reputation.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic communication

Public relations

Team collaboration

Event planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

The University of New England ( UNE ) is seeking a Director of Community Relations to provide institution-wide leadership for UNE’s relationships with community leaders, business executives, civic and nonprofit organizations, neighbors, and other key external stakeholders.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Communications, the Director develops and leads a comprehensive community relations strategy that strengthens trust, builds meaningful partnerships, advances institutional priorities, and enhances UNE’s relationships and reputation across the communities it serves.

This is a highly collaborative, visible role that serves as a senior external representative and trusted adviser to university leadership. The Director will translate complex university initiatives into clear and effective engagement strategies, advise leaders on stakeholder perspectives and emerging issues, and coordinate closely across Communications, Institutional Advancement, External Relations, Campus Planning, academic and administrative units, and community partners.

About The University of New England

UNE is Maine’s largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands‑on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.

Benefits Overview

• Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage.
• Up to 8% retirement plan match.
• Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year.
• Educational benefits:
  • UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners.
  • UNE tuition waiver for dependents of employees with 1 year of full-time service.
  • 50% tuition reduction if less than 1 year of full-time service.
• Develop and lead UNE’s community relations and stakeholder engagement strategy in alignment with university priorities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with business, civic, nonprofit, neighborhood, and community leaders throughout Biddeford, Portland, and surrounding communities.
• Advise senior university leaders on community perspectives, emerging issues, partnership opportunities, and external engagement strategies.
• Represent UNE at community meetings, public events, business forums, and civic gatherings.
• Develop strategic partnerships that create shared value in areas such as education, health, workforce development, economic vitality, research, and public service.
• Lead community engagement communications, including newsletters, stakeholder updates, website content, and project- or event-specific communications.
• Lead planning for community events and engagement opportunities, including annual neighbor events in Biddeford and Portland.
• Develop and manage UNE’s community sponsorship and investment strategy and budget.
• Partner with Campus Planning and university leaders on community engagement related to facilities, construction, campus operations, and other initiatives with community impact.
• Support issues and crisis communications and proactively address concerns that may affect community relationships or UNE’s reputation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, business, nonprofit leadership, or a related field; equivalent education and experience may be considered.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in community relations, external affairs, public relations, government or public affairs, corporate relations, institutional advancement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with business, civic, nonprofit, and community leaders and representing an organization in high-visibility settings.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, judgment, discretion, and ability to navigate sensitive issues and competing interests.
• Experience managing complex projects, budgets, partnerships, or community investments.
• Ability and willingness to attend occasional evening and weekend events and travel locally as needed.

Preferred

• Established knowledge of and relationships within the Biddeford and Portland communities and Maine’s business, civic, and nonprofit landscape.
• Experience in higher education, health care, or another complex, mission-driven organization.
• Experience with community issues, public meetings, major capital projects, or crisis and issues communications.
• Experience with digital communications, stakeholder databases, or engagement measurement tools.

EEO Statement Summary

Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.

Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine’s immunization requirements for clinical activity.

Additional Note

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extension.

Anticipated Pay Range

Anticipated Pay Range $66,500 - $70,000

Posting Number

Posting Number 2022PS1019P

Open Date

Open Date 10/13/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Optional Documents

• Letter of Recommendation
• Names and contact information for three professional references