Director of External Affairs & Strategic Communications

PRSA Detroit; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & vacation

Mental Health Fridays

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

403(b) retirement plan

Job summary

Michigan Community Resources (MCR) seeks a strategic Director of External Affairs & Communications to lead the organization’s external positioning, communications strategy, and public engagement. This role shapes how MCR is understood by nonprofit leaders, funders, public officials, partners, and the broader community to advance our mission.

The Director will develop and lead an integrated external affairs strategy that strengthens MCR's reputation, elevates thought leadership, and supports

Qualifications

• Experience leading communications during periods of organizational growth or change.
• Experience developing narrative change, thought leadership, public engagement, or issue-based communications strategies that influence audiences beyond traditional marketing.
• Experience cultivating relationships with philanthropic, nonprofit, government, media, and community partners.
• Strong understanding of brand strategy, media relations, digital communications and websites, and graphic design.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and basic website management.
• Commitment to equity, community-centered communications, and strengthening the nonprofit sector.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an organization-wide external affairs and communications strategy aligned with MCR's strategic plan.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Co-CEOs and senior leadership on organizational messaging, public positioning, and reputation management.
• Identify opportunities to elevate MCR's visibility through partnerships, speaking engagements, media, publications, and sector leadership.
• Cultivate relationships with philanthropic, nonprofit, government, and community partners that advance MCR's mission and strategic priorities.
• Monitor emerging issues affecting the nonprofit sector and recommend communications strategies that position MCR as a trusted thought leader.
• Lead communications that move beyond promoting MCR's work to influencing the broader conversation about community power, nonprofit capacity, and systems transformation.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Narrative change

Public engagement

Partnership development

Brand strategy

Media relations

Digital communications

Adobe Creative Suite

Website management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field

Tools

Airtable

HubSpot

SharePoint

Job description

Michigan Community Resources (MCR) seeks a strategic Director of External Affairs & Communications to lead the organization’s external positioning, communications strategy, and public engagement. This role shapes how MCR is understood by nonprofit leaders, funders, public officials, partners, and the broader community to advance our mission.

The Director will develop and lead an integrated external affairs strategy that strengthens MCR's reputation, elevates thought leadership, and supports