Strategic External Affairs Manager

State of Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Wellness program

Health savings account

Pension plan

Paid leave benefits

Free parking

LinkedIn Learning access

Job summary

State of Indiana, through the Indiana Department of Transportation, seeks an External Affairs Manager to educate and liaise with external stakeholders, including elected officials, media, and the public. The role integrates government affairs, public relations, event planning, and strategic outreach to support agency priorities and strengthen relationships.

This exempt position reports to the Deputy Chief of Staff and is located at INDOT Central Office in Indianapolis.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of communication strategies, messaging, and audience segmentation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling content.
• Proven experience working directly with clients to assess needs and provide strategic recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Consult with agency to understand communication needs, goals, and target audiences.
• Maintain content on the agency's social media outlets.
• Evaluate current communication strategies and materials to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
• Develop tailored communication strategies that align with client objectives and agencies best practices.
• Collaborate with clients to create messaging, content, and narratives.
• Advise on media relations and reputation management strategies.
• Provide guidance on digital and traditional media channels.

Skills

Public relations

Government affairs

Media relations

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic outreach

Content development

Digital media

Tools

Microsoft Office

Social media platforms

Job description

State of Indiana, through the Indiana Department of Transportation, seeks an External Affairs Manager to educate and liaise with external stakeholders, including elected officials, media, and the public. The role integrates government affairs, public relations, event planning, and strategic outreach to support agency priorities and strengthen relationships.

This exempt position reports to the Deputy Chief of Staff and is located at INDOT Central Office in Indianapolis.