Leadership role
Director of Community Relations
Directs an organization's relationships with its local community, including partners, neighbors, civic groups and local officials.
Reporting and scope
Typically reports to the Executive Director / CEO, a VP of Communications or the head of external affairs. Authority covers community partnerships and local stakeholder relations.
Core responsibilities
- Builds partnerships with community organizations, businesses and faith groups
- Represents the organization at civic events and community meetings
- Coordinates community benefit activity and reporting where relevant (such as for nonprofit hospitals)
- Manages sponsorships, local events and in-kind support
- Brings community feedback to leadership and program staff
- Works with communications on local media and neighborhood issues
How it differs
Director of Outreach focuses on bringing clients or participants into services. Director of Government Affairs works with elected officials on legislation. Director of Community Relations manages the organization's standing with local partners and the public.
By organization size
In small organizations the role often blends with outreach, events or fundraising. Hospitals and universities with large footprints usually have a dedicated community relations office.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Director of Community Engagement; Director of Community Relations; Director of Community Outreach; Community Relations Director; Community Engagement Director; Dir. of Community Engagement