DDA EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR (Program Manager III)

Main Purpose of Job:

The Director of External Affairs provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Developmental Disabilities Administration's external engagement functions, including legislative affairs, constituent services, communications, and stakeholder relations. This position serves as the principal advisor to the Chief of Staff on external affairs strategy, ensuring consistent messaging, proactive and responsive constituent engagement, key stakeholders, and effective communication of the Administration's policies, initiatives, and priorities. The Director fosters collaboration with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, providers, advocacy organizations, state and local government partners, and the public to advance DDA's mission, strengthen public trust, and support informed policy development and implementation.

About the Role

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for external engagement functions.
• Serves as the principal advisor to the Chief of Staff on external affairs strategy.
• Fosters collaboration with various stakeholders.
• Ensures consistent messaging and effective communication of the Administration's policies, initiatives, and priorities.
• Advances DDA's mission, strengthens public trust, and supports informed policy development and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes organization-wide external affairs strategies.
• Advises senior leadership on external affairs matters.
• Manages sensitive or high-profile issues and coordinates timely and consistent responses to emerging concerns.
• Builds trusted relationships and fosters consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Strengthens constituent responsiveness and advances public trust.
• Navigates state legislative and governmental processes.
• Represents the Administration with legislators, government partners, advocacy organizations, providers, families, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the media and public.

Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and six years of health or human services administrative or professional experience, including three years at a supervisory or managerial level.
• Desired or Preferred Qualifications: Significant experience in media relations, external affairs, legislative and government relations, strategic communications, public policy, constituent services, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Exceptional written, verbal, and executive communication skills.
• Strong political and strategic judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex policies and initiatives into clear, accessible messages.
• Knowledge of disabilities policy, human services, health care, or other complex public-sector environments.
• Experience with Maryland State government, the Governor's Office, Maryland General Assembly, advocacy organizations, or comparable government and community partners.

Skills

• Strategic thinking.
• Collaborative approach.
• Political acumen.
• Credibility.

Benefits

• State of Maryland benefits.

Pay

TBD

Schedule

TBD