External Affairs Director

• Location 1203 Poplar Ave,Memphis, TN, 38104,United States
• Base Pay $80,465.00 - $128,783.00 / Year
• Employee Type Full-Time
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree
• Travel 15%
• Manage Others Yes

The External Affairs Director stewards the CHOICES brand and directs marketing, communications, and public affairs strategy — including crisis communications, executive messaging, and digital and social media. This role leads development and fundraising efforts, including donor relations and revenue diversification, manages the external affairs budget, and supervises the Development & Communications Manager and Community Outreach Coordinator. This is a management-level position and a member of the organization's Leadership Team; may be hybrid, with in-person work required.

Requirements

Required

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; graduate degree preferred

At least five years of progressive professional experience in nonprofit communications and development, with supervisory experience

Supportive of comprehensive reproductive and sexual healthcare, including abortion care, midwifery, and gender-affirming care.

Experience working with foundation program officers, with a track record of securing six- and seven-figure grants or gifts

Demonstrated success in fundraising, including major gift cultivation and donor portfolio management

Knowledge of fundraising principles, practices, techniques, and current trends

Experience developing and managing departmental budgets

Crisis communications experience

Proficiency with CRMs and donor databases sufficient to oversee data integrity and reporting, along with general technology fluency

Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including large and small group presentations

Strong organizational skills with the ability to give and receive feedback effectively

Successful track record in setting priorities with keen analytic, organizational, and problem-solving skills that support sound decision-making

Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with internal and external stakeholders

Personal qualities of integrity and credibility

Preferred :

Grant writing experience

Experience in reproductive health, healthcare, or social justice sectors

Understanding of the post-Dobbs reproductive healthcare landscape

Familiarity with multi-state operations

Ability to multitask and adapt in a fast-paced environment

Summary

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Executive Functions

Serve as a member of CHOICES' Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, long-range planning, and operational decision-making

Direct and oversee external communications, marketing, and branding strategies that support CHOICES' strategic direction across Tennessee and Illinois operations

Provide strategic communications counsel to the President & CEO and leaders across the organization on organizational positioning, stakeholder engagement, and reputational opportunities

Collaborate on and execute annual fundraising and communications plans aligned with CHOICES' values, mission, vision, and $6+ million budget

Monitor and analyze the external environment—including policy changes, funding trends, and public sentiment—to inform organizational strategy

Prepare and manage external affairs budgets and track metrics to measure team performance against projected targets

Communications & Media Relations

Oversee all organizational messaging, including executive-level speechwriting, narrative development, and key messages that ensure clear, consistent, and compelling communication

Maintain quality control over all outward-facing communications across platforms and materials

Oversee media inquiries, interview requests, and spokesperson preparation

Provide real-time crisis communication management and anticipate issues before they become crises to protect organizational reputation

Oversee digital communications strategy, including website management, social media, and email campaigns

Direct CHOICES' individual and corporate fundraising strategies, overseeing engagement efforts to expand the donor base

Lead major gift cultivation and solicitation, personally managing a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects

Develop and manage strategies to increase CHOICES' grant portfolio, including foundation, corporate, and government funding

Build collaborative relationships across foundations and corporations, identifying and crafting new partnerships to advance CHOICES' mission

Lead the identification of grant opportunities and drive the development and compilation of grant application materials by managing the process of creating and assembling all necessary materials for grant applications, ensuring timely submission.

Maintain the annual grants calendar for application, reward, and reporting dates by keeping an organized and up-to-date grants calendar.

Team Leadership & Operations

Provide direct supervision, coaching, and professional development for Development and Communications Manager based in Memphis and Community Outreach Coordinator based in Carbondale

Ensure timely execution of donor communications and acknowledgments, event logistics, database maintenance, and community outreach activities

Foster a team culture of innovation, accountability, and mission alignment

Working Conditions: This role is primarily performed in an office setting and requires regular talking and hearing for meetings, presentations, and stakeholder communication, along with frequent sitting and occasional local and regional travel. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

OSHA Blood borne Pathogen Exposure Determination: This role is subject to a job classification in which some employees at our facility have occupational exposure.

Travel : Up to 10-15% travel may be required for this position, including regional and national conferences, funder meetings, and visits to CHOICES' Illinois location.