Director, Community Relations & Strategic Initiatives

Department: Campus President - W | Location: Western Campus | Reports To: President, Western Campus

About the Role

The Director, Community Relations and Strategic Initiatives is a strategic leader within the Campus President’s Office, responsible for building and maintaining strong, meaningful partnerships with community stakeholders, strategically aligning community-based initiatives with institutional goals, and advancing the College’s presence and impact within the campus service area. This role connects internal strategy with external execution, ensuring community partnerships, events, and initiatives align with the College’s mission and vision. The position requires handling confidential information regarding potential partnerships, donors, grants, and other private engagements pertinent to the advancement of the college mission.

Responsibilities

• Develops and leads a campus-specific community engagement and impact plan aligned with institutional priorities, including tracking and analyzing partnership quality and quantity to inform decision-making.
• Cultivates strategic relationships with leaders in business, government, education, and nonprofit sectors as a trusted representative of the college.
• Represents the Campus President in high-level engagements with public officials, executive leaders, community events, and boards to advance institutional visibility and trust.
• Leads cross-functional initiatives supporting the Campus President’s strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with divisional (e.g., Academic Affairs, Governmental Relations, Workforce, Foundation) and College-wide goals.
• Identifies, evaluates, and activates external opportunities (e.g., grants, pilots, community projects) that benefit students and stakeholders aligned with the college’s mission and strategic plan.
• Facilitates partnerships between community entities and campus personnel (e.g., student and faculty engagement in community-based initiatives, service learning, civic engagement, and local impact).
• Leads campus participation in community coalitions, partnerships, and advisory councils that align with the College’s mission and promote equitable access to education and workforce development.
• Oversees the planning and execution of signature campus engagements, including listening tours, college-hosted community events, and strategic convenings.
• Produces strategic briefings, talking points, presentations, and post-event syntheses on behalf of the Campus President.
• Develops and distributes written communications, including newsletters and recognition correspondence (e.g., thank-you notes, congratulatory messages).
• Monitors and reports on emerging trends, opportunities, and community needs impacting the campus and surrounding region.
• Builds and manages a comprehensive stakeholder database, tracking engagements, partnership outcomes, and follow-up actions to ensure strategic continuity and relationship stewardship.
• Advises the Campus President and leadership team on community perception, reputation management, and public affairs strategy.
• Assesses and reports on the effectiveness of community engagement strategies using key performance indicators, feedback mechanisms, and partner surveys.
• Manages and tracks budgets for strategic community-focused initiatives.
• Promotes awareness of campus programming and resources within the community through targeted outreach, collaborations, and communications.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; significant related experience may substitute for education.
• Minimum of six years of experience with community relationships in the Northeast Ohio area.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and represent executive leadership in public settings.
• Working knowledge of community relations concepts, practices, and procedures, with the ability to apply them in a community college setting.
• Ability to travel within Northeast Ohio.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work with deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, political acumen, and professional discretion.
• Ability to work collaboratively across divisions and with external partners.
• Experience analyzing and responding to community, political, and educational trends.
• Ability to independently set goals and determine the best course of action to achieve desired results.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to confidentially and discreetly handle sensitive matters requiring privacy.
• Sensitivity to appropriately respond to the needs of students and the community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communication, public relations, or related field.
• Experience with CRM-specific software (e.g., Salesforce).

Skills

• Critical Competencies: Communication, Adaptability, Quality of Work.
• Very Important Competencies: Service Focus, Time Utilization.
• Important Competencies: Collaboration, Continuous Improvement.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

The work is performed in a normal, professional office environment with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. The role typically involves sitting for extended periods, with repetitive motions such as typing and using a computer mouse. Occasional walking, standing, bending, or carrying light items (e.g., papers, files) may be required. Regional travel within Northeast Ohio, as well as participation in evening and weekend events, is expected.

Pay

Target starting salary range: $75,000 to $80,000. The final offer will be based on internal equity, the unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications.

Schedule

Standard college hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, with some late evening or weekend work possible.