Director of External Affairs & Community Engagement

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County in Houston, TX seeks a Director of External Affairs and Community Engagement to lead external affairs efforts and build strategic partnerships with government entities, community organizations, and stakeholders. The role advances office priorities and oversees large-scale outreach, constituent education, and field operations.

The Director coordinates with the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office, oversees VDVR training, and ensures residents connect with relevant information, services,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, communication, public relations, community development, or a related field.
• Master’s Degree in public administration, communication, public relations, community development, or a related field.
• Minimum four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, public outreach, constituent services, government relations, public affairs, or related field.
• Demonstrated relationship-building with government entities, elected officials, community leaders and constituents.
• Experience leading large-scale programs from planning to evaluation and completion.
• Experience supervising or managing a team.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships and coordinating intergovernmental relations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction, supervision, and professional development for the External Affairs and Community Engagement team.
• Lead external affairs strategies aligned with HCTO’s priorities and goals.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with governmental entities and external partners.
• Develop and implement external affairs strategies to advance partnerships.
• Serve as a liaison to governmental entities, elected officials, and community organizations.
• Monitor stakeholder concerns and external developments to identify partnership opportunities.
• Ensure the team educates residents about voter registration, property tax, and motor vehicle services.
• Oversee large-scale community engagement initiatives, outreach campaigns, and field operations.
• Coordinate and oversee VDVR training activities and related outreach.
• Establish performance measures to evaluate stakeholder engagement and program effectiveness.
• Monitor outcomes and seek improvements to extend reach and impact.

Skills

Leadership

Public speaking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Relationship building

Strategic partnerships

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration or related field

Master’s Degree in public administration or related field

Job description

Job Summary

The Director of External Affairs and Community Engagement proactively identifies opportunities to build strategic partnerships, foster collaboration, and expand HCTO’s external network in support of the office’s priorities. The Director also leads external affairs efforts, coordinating with governmental entities, elected officials, community organizations, and other key stakeholders to advance the office’s priorities, strengthen partnerships, and identify opportunities for collaboration. The Director oversees large-scale community outreach initiatives, constituent education, and operational support for engagements involving the Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar, Annette Ramirez, ensuring residents are connected with relevant information, services, resources, and opportunities to engage

About the Tax Assessor-Collector

HCTO is essential for ensuring the proper administration of tax laws and providing vital services to the community. The office plays a key role in local government, handling various financial, community, and administrative tasks including:

• Property Tax Collection: Assess and collect property taxes for all eligible commercial and residential property owners and entities. Calculate property taxes based on appraised values and ensure collection and distribution to the appropriate entities.
• Motor Vehicle Services: Manage commercial and residential vehicle registration, issue license plates, and handle vehicle title transfers, including the collection of associated fees.
• Voter Registration: Oversee voter registration within the county, issue voter registration certificates, and maintain an accurate voter registration roll.
• Additional Revenue Collection: Collect certain fees, fines, and revenues related to permits or state mandates, depending on the county’s needs.

Essential Duties

• Provide leadership, direction, supervision, and professional development, including training requirements and opportunities, for the External Affairs and Community Engagement team.
• Lead the creation, development, and implementation of external affairs, government relations, community engagement, public outreach, and constituent education strategies and opportunities aligned with HCTO’s priorities and goals.
• Build, expand, and maintain strategic relationships with other governmental entities and external partners to broaden the reach and impact of HCTO.
• Develop and implement external affairs strategies that strengthen intergovernmental relationships, advance strategic partnerships, and support HCTO’s organizational priorities.
• Serve as a liaison to governmental entities, elected officials and their offices, community organizations, civic and business leaders, and other external stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and advance shared objectives.
• Monitor emerging issues, stakeholder concerns, and external developments to identify partnership opportunities, inform leadership, and support proactive engagement.
• Ensure the External Affairs and Community Engagement team effectively reaches and educates residents about voter registration, property tax, and motor vehicle services.
• Develop and oversee large-scale community engagement initiatives, outreach campaigns, community events, and field operations.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships for team support at community events and engagements involving the Tax Assessor-Collector.
• Provide direct support to the Tax Assessor-Collector at select community events and engagements, as appropriate.
• Engage and collaborate with other governmental entities on community engagement initiatives, outreach campaigns, community events, and field operations.
• Oversee field logistics, including staffing, scheduling, event coordination, materials, and deployment.
• Coordinate and oversee Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar (VDVR) training activities and related outreach.
• Establish performance measures to evaluate stakeholder engagement, partnership development, community reach, and program effectiveness.
• Monitor team and program outcomes, including community reach, engagement, and constituent education.
• Identify opportunities to improve HCTO’s ability to reach, educate, and serve residents.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of external affairs initiatives and strategic partnerships and recommend improvements to strengthen stakeholder relationships and organizational impact
• Other assigned duties

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail].

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, communication, public relations, community development, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, public outreach, constituent services, government relations, public affairs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated relationship-building experience with government entities, elected officials and their offices, community leaders, community organizations, and constituents.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale programs, initiatives or projects from planning and development through implementation, evaluation, and completion.
• Three (3) years of supervisory or management experience, preferably overseeing a community engagement, outreach, or field-based team.
• Experience managing, mentoring, and coaching staff and working collaboratively across teams.
• Experience supporting continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Experience working directly with an elected official, elected official’s office, or senior public-sector leadership.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships, coordinating intergovernmental relations, or managing external affairs and stakeholder engagement initiatives

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of government relations, community engagement, constituent education, public outreach, stakeholder relations, and community partnership development.
• Knowledge of external affairs strategy, intergovernmental coordination, and strategic partnership development.
• Strong leadership, supervision, coaching, and team-building skills.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, relationship-building, stakeholder management skills, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop effective strategies for reaching and educating diverse communities.
• Ability to clearly communicate HCTO’s services and processes to constituents and community partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and large-scale initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and evaluate performance measures and translate organizational priorities into measurable team goals.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when representing HCTO and supporting the Tax Assessor-Collector.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and outside of regular business hours as required.

Education & Experience

• Master’s Degree in public administration, communication, public relations, community development, or a related field.
• Experience working with government agencies, community organizations, civic associations, and neighborhood groups.
• Experience with voter registration, VDVR programs, property tax programs, and/or civic engagement initiatives.
• Experience collaborating with executive leadership, operational leaders, and governmental stakeholders.
• Experience representing an organization in external meetings, partnership discussions, or other public-facing engagements.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to the communities served.

Work Environment

• Typically, an office environment with adequate lighting and ventilation, and a normal range of temperature and noise level)

Physical Demands

• This role is a standard office role that requires remaining stationary for long periods of time. At times, boxes or equipment must be transported weighing up to 50 lbs.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.