Community Affairs & Special Projects Director

Job Summary

The Community Affairs & Special Projects Director advances the Mayor’s priorities through community engagement, strategic partnerships, communications support, and special initiatives. Serving as a primary liaison between the Mayor’s Office and neighborhood associations, nonprofits, and other stakeholders. The Director strengthens relationships, gathers community input, and elevates resident concerns to City leadership. The position also leads major public events and engagement programs, supports communication efforts, and develops initiatives that respond to community needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of mayoral programs, initiatives, and public events, coordinating across departments and with external partners.
• Serve as the Mayor’s liaison to neighborhood associations, nonprofits, cultural groups, and community organizations; attend meetings and represent the Mayor at events.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with nonprofit leaders, neighborhood groups, and key stakeholders to identify needs and support collaborative initiatives.
• Provide subject matter insight on community issues such as neighborhood development, food insecurity, homelessness, and youth development.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate community engagement initiatives, including Traveling City Hall, Mayor’s Children & Youth Cabinet, Interfaith Council, Block-By-Block cleanups, 812 Day, We Read, Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, and the Summer Resource & Job Fair.
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers for programs, events, and special projects.
• Prepare and present reports, briefings, and community feedback summaries for the Deputy Mayor and Mayor.
• Affiliate with communications efforts by creating content, graphics, and messaging that highlight initiatives and support community outreach; manage and monitor social media accounts.
• Cook up public information efforts with the Communications Director to ensure consistent messaging on policy positions and initiatives.
• Support budget tracking and expenditure related to community engagement activities.
• Handle special assignments from the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and senior staff.
• Affiliate with the Executive Assistant as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

• Effective, energetic, and open communicator and collaborator, who can work productively with a broad range of people, including City staff, community stakeholders, elected officials, and the public.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office suite and graphic design skills.
• Proficiency in managing social media platforms and creating engaging content to support public outreach, community engagement, and mayoral initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and work effectively across departments, community organizations, and stakeholder groups.
• Experience organizing and overseeing large-scale events, community initiatives, and volunteer-driven activities.
• Adaptable and flexible in responding to multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Problem-solver who takes the initiative in identifying and addressing challenging issues, generates recommendations, and/or takes appropriate steps to attend to those issues.
• Task-oriented project manager who keeps projects on time and budget.
• Knowledge of Evansville and its various communities.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and follow through effectively.
• Accurate and attentive to details.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in relevant positions.

Other Requirements

• Must be able to attend evening and weekend events as required.
• Work Environment and Physical Requirements: Combination of a standard office environment, community setting, and outdoor events. Must be able to travel throughout the community and attend events at various locations. May be exposed to varying weather conditions while attending, coordinating, or participating in outdoor events and community activities.

Pay

$55,000 - $58,000