Director Regional Community Relations

Director Regional Community Relations

Job ID:

Location: Augusta University

Full/Part Time: Full Time

About Us

Augusta University is an innovation center for education and health care located in Augusta. The university trains students across four campuses, conducts research, provides clinical care, and engages with the community to address regional challenges.

Job Summary

Reporting to the VP for Corporate and Community Engagement, the Director of Regional Community Relations provides strategic leadership for Augusta University’s CSRA and statewide community relations strategy. The Director leads a team of Regional Community Relationship Managers embedded across Georgia and is responsible for strengthening the university’s visibility, reputation, and relationships throughout the state.

Responsibilities

Community Relations Team Strategic Leadership and Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive statewide community relations strategy aligned with the university’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Align regional engagement efforts with workforce development, economic development, healthcare, research, and innovation initiatives.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of three Regional Community Relationship Managers embedded across Georgia.
• Establish performance expectations, goals, and accountability measures for regional staff.
• Ensure consistency in messaging, engagement standards, and reporting across all regions.
• Lead efforts to amplify the university’s reputation and impact statewide.
• Collaborate with communications, marketing, alumni relations, government relations, and advancement teams to ensure consistent messaging.
• Elevate awareness of the university’s contributions to regional economies and communities.
• Advise the Vice President for Corporate and Community Engagement on regional trends, opportunities, and stakeholder dynamics.

CSRA Community Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with CSRA civic organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development authorities, and visitor bureaus.
• Position the university as a trusted partner in regional initiatives related to economic growth and community development.
• Lead the implementation of the Jaguar Town initiatives, including the Jag Perks program.
• Represent the university at regional meetings, forums, conferences, and events.

Statewide Events and Program Strategy

• Plan, develop, and execute signature events, regional programs, and engagement initiatives that advance the university’s statewide community relations strategy.
• Design and deliver high‑impact community‑facing events including forums, roundtables, receptions, campus‑to‑community activations, and regional convenings.
• Collaborate with regional staff, government relations, academic units, corporate and community engagement teams, and external partners to ensure events align with institutional priorities and brand standards.
• Oversee event logistics, budgeting, timelines, vendor coordination, and on‑site execution to ensure professional, consistent delivery across regions.
• Leverage events and programs to strengthen relationships with civic leaders, chambers of commerce, economic development authorities, and visitor bureaus.
• Evaluate event outcomes and participation data to assess impact and inform continuous improvement.

Data, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

• Establish metrics to assess regional engagement effectiveness and relationship depth.
• Track partnership activity and outcomes to inform strategic decision‑making.

Other

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in community relations, external affairs, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams across multiple regions.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing events, programs, or convenings involving external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
• Experience within a public research university or similarly complex organization.
• Familiarity with Georgia’s civic and economic development landscape.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

Proficient in Microsoft Office and other computer software/databases.

Skills

Exceptional relationship‑building and interpersonal skills.

Strong strategic planning and organizational skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Abilities

Ability to lead and motivate a geographically distributed team.

Sound judgment, discretion, and political savvy.

Shift / Salary / Benefits

Shift: Days, Monday‑Friday (work outside normal business hours may be required).

Pay Band: B14.

Salary: Minimum $75,300 per year; Midpoint $96,000 per year. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications within the established range.

The university offers a comprehensive benefits package to full‑time, benefit‑eligible employees, including health, dental, and life insurance, a retirement plan, paid vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays. Eligible employees may also participate in the Tuition Assistance Program.

Conditions of Employment

• Successful completion of a background check.
• Credit check for positions of trust or approved departmental Purchase Card usage, if applicable.
• Motor vehicle reports for positions requiring the use of a university vehicle.
• Certification of academic degree(s) and post‑secondary coursework for faculty hires, including credential evaluation for foreign‑trained candidates.
• Adherence to confidentiality, cybersecurity, and privacy policies.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Augusta University is an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.