About the Role
The Director of Community and Government Relations advances Spectrum Health & Human Services' public presence, external relationships, community engagement, and government relations strategies to strengthen the agency's visibility, reputation, partnerships, and advocacy efforts.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain relationships with elected officials, government staff, public agencies, and other policy and funding stakeholders.
- Monitor government priorities, legislative activity, public funding opportunities, and policy issues affecting behavioral health, substance use, housing, care coordination, crisis services, children's services, and other agency programs.
- Coordinate site tours, community briefings, and other opportunities to educate government stakeholders about the agency's services, impact, and community needs.
- Collaborate with the President & CEO and Senior Executive Team to advance agency advocacy priorities and promote funding and policy decisions that improve access to care and community-based services.
- Promote community understanding of the agency's mission, services, populations served, and role within the regional human services system.
- Support agency public communications to ensure messaging is accurate, mission-driven, professional, and aligned with organizational values and strategic priorities.
- Represent the agency at government, community, coalition, and advocacy meetings as assigned.
- Identify, cultivate, and support philanthropic partnerships aligned with the agency's mission, strategic priorities, and community impact goals.
- Develop and maintain relationships with foundations, corporate partners, sponsors, donors, civic organizations, and other community stakeholders to expand funding opportunities and increase agency visibility.
- Support donor engagement, funder relationship-building, sponsorship development, and philanthropic outreach.
- Identify and advance opportunities for charitable giving, sponsorships, foundation support, corporate partnerships, special events, and other fundraising initiatives.
- Assist in developing funding-related materials, including letters of support, sponsorship proposals, donor communications, impact summaries, community partnership documentation, and stakeholder updates.
- Provide updates, reports, and recommendations regarding community engagement, government relations, public awareness, and strategic partnerships.
- Support Board involvement in community ambassadorship, special events, stakeholder engagement, and relationship development.
- Participate in Senior Executive Team meetings, Board meetings, committee meetings, and strategic planning activities as requested.
- Track and report activities related to government relations, community partnerships, public events, stakeholder engagement, funding opportunities, and external communications.
- Develop and monitor goals, metrics, and outcomes for community and government relations initiatives.
- Use data and stakeholder feedback to evaluate and improve advocacy, communications, and community engagement strategies.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required in Communications, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Work, Human Services, Public Policy, Marketing, or a related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in community relations, government relations, public relations, communications, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, public policy, or a related field.
- Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
Skills
- Strong commitment to the mission, values, and community impact of a nonprofit human services organization.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and public speaking skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with elected officials, government representatives, community partners, Board members, funders, and internal stakeholders.
- Understanding of behavioral health, substance use, housing, crisis services, care coordination, children's services, or other human services systems preferred.
- Knowledge of public policy, advocacy, government funding, and community-based systems preferred.
- Ability to represent the agency professionally and positively in public, government, community, and funder settings.
- Strong writing skills with the ability to develop public-facing materials, reports, presentations, letters, talking points, and stakeholder communications.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder needs simultaneously.
- Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and exercise sound judgment.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, program leadership, Board members, staff, community partners, and external stakeholders.
- Ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, email, presentation software, databases, and other communication, reporting, and project management platforms.
- Flexibility to attend evening, weekend, and off-site events as needed.
Location
- 227 Thorn Ave
Work Type
- Full-time
Experience Level
- 5+ years of experience
Education Level
- Bachelor's degree required
- Master's degree preferred
Salary/Compensations
- $68,000-$87,000
About the Company
- Spectrum Health & Human Services respectfully partners with adults, children, and families as they recover from behavioral, emotional, mental health, and/or substance-related disorders by offering individualized and meaningful opportunities for hope, empowerment, and support to achieve self-defined improvements in their quality of life.
