Director of External Affairs in Portland, Oregon at Prosper Portland

Summary

The Director of External Affairs leads Prosper Portland's government relations, strategic communications, and public engagement. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the Executive Team, the Director advises agency leadership, builds partnerships, and represents Prosper Portland with elected officials, public agencies, businesses, community organizations, and the media.

This position manages the Policy and Communications teams and integrates their work to advance agency priorities. The Director of External Affairs retains responsibility for the external dimensions of Prosper Portland's inclusive strategies, community engagement, transparency, and partnership with communities through coordinated advocacy, clear public information, and accountable results. The position leads department planning and staff development and works across Prosper Portland to support sound decisions, effective implementation, and public trust.

The Director also oversees agency resource development and the Resource Monitor’s work, providing leadership for grant research, proposal writing, and funding applications to secure additional resources that advance Prosper Portland’s priorities and financial sustainability.

Functions and Responsibilities

Government and Intergovernmental Relations

• Develops and leads the agency's government relations and advocacy strategy, advancing approved external policies and funding priorities through coordinated, nonpartisan engagement at the local, regional, state, and federal levels.
• Builds working relationships with the Mayor, City Council, City administration, legislative staff, public agencies, and regional partners. Coordinates agency engagement with the City's Office of Government Relations and relevant service areas.
• Prepares the Executive Director and other authorized representatives for Council hearings, Commission meetings, legislative testimony, budget deliberations, and partner briefings. Ensures timely, accurate responses to government inquiries and follow-through on commitments.
• Positions agency initiatives for state and federal resources, working with Finance, Capital Access, and program departments on funding priorities, project readiness, appropriations, and grant opportunities.
• Maintains relationships with sovereign Tribal governments and coordinates appropriate engagement protocols and approved Tribal relations commitments with the City and agency leadership.

Policy Development and Strategic Initiatives

• Directs the Policy team's research and analysis of proposed legislation, ordinances, regulations, and public policies affecting economic development, urban renewal, real estate, business finance, and agency operations. Recommends positions based on public benefits, costs, risks, and implementation requirements.
• Oversees development and periodic update of agency-wide policies and positions, ensuring alignment with the Strategic Plan, Advance Portland, and the Financial Sustainability Plan, coordinating with Legal, Finance, and responsible departments on approval authority and operational requirements.
• Leads coordination and progress reporting for Advance Portland and other assigned strategic initiatives. Establishes shared work plans with responsible departments and partners, tracks deliverables, and recommends adjustments as priorities and conditions change.
• Supports public engagement, and approval coordination for the establishment and amendment of Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts, working with Real Estate and Community Development, Finance, Legal, program departments, the City, and community partners.
• Leads performance measurement and outcomes reporting that demonstrate agency impact to the Commission, City leadership, funders, and the public. Partners with Legal on public meeting, public records, ethics, and lobbying requirements relevant to department work.

Strategic Communications and Public Affairs

• Directs the Communications team and establishes an integrated communications plan covering agency priorities, program outreach, internal communications, media relations, executive messaging, and major project announcements.
• Oversees brand management, marketing, editorial standards, and content production across the agency website, social media, newsletters, publications, video, and other channels. Ensures communications are accurate, accessible, timely, and understandable to their intended audiences.
• Advises the Executive Director, Executive Team, and Commission on public positioning and communication risks. Oversees preparation of speeches, testimony, talking points, presentations, and other executive communications.
• Directs media relations and serves as an authorized agency spokesperson. Establishes processes for media inquiries, fact verification, message approval, and preparation of staff and executives for interviews and public presentations.
• Develops and maintains issues management and crisis communications protocols, including escalation, designated spokespersons, coordinated approvals, and timely public updates. Works with Legal and responsible departments to address emerging concerns and correct inaccurate information.
• Partners with Human Resources and other departments on agency-wide employee communications and organizational change messaging. Evaluates communication effectiveness using audience engagement, understanding, service inquiries, and other relevant measures.

Public Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

• Builds Prosper Portland’s partnerships with businesses, neighborhood organizations, community-based organizations, public institutions, and regional economic development partners to advance shared goals and maintain constructive relationships.
• Directs public engagement strategies that clarify the decision under consideration, opportunities for participation, and how public input will be used. Develops and directs agency policy and training on external ADA, accessible participation options and accommodations, language support, and information sharing.
• Ensures community concerns and partner feedback inform policy and program recommendations. Communicates how input influenced decisions and maintains processes to respond to questions, resolve concerns, and track commitments.
• Oversees department support for advisory groups, public forums, and budget engagement. Directs strategic community giving within adopted policy and budget, with clear selection criteria, appropriate documentation, and assessment of results.

Resource Development and Grant Acquisition

• Develops and leads an agency resource development strategy to secure additional grants and funding for Prosper Portland’s programs, projects, and operations. Aligns funding priorities with agency goals and the Financial Sustainability Plan.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight for the Resource Monitor and other assigned resource development staff, including grant research, grant writing, application preparation, and submission. Establishes work plans, deadlines, and performance expectations.
• Oversees identification and evaluation of federal, state, regional, philanthropic, and other funding opportunities. Assesses eligibility, strategic alignment, matching requirements, implementation capacity, and ongoing financial obligations before recommending opportunities for pursuit.
• Directs development of clear, competitive grant proposals and applications, including project narratives, supporting research, budgets, measurable outcomes, and required documentation. Ensures submissions meet funder requirements and receive appropriate agency approvals.
• Cultivates relationships with funding agencies, foundations, and potential partners to understand funding priorities, identify opportunities, and strengthen Prosper Portland’s ability to secure external resources.
• Coordinates with Finance, Legal, Capital Access, and program departments on funding requests, budget commitments, partnership agreements, and award conditions. Ensures successful applications transition to responsible staff for implementation, financial oversight, and reporting.
• Maintains a coordinated schedule of funding opportunities, application deadlines, submissions, and award decisions. Reports results to the Executive Director, including funding requested and awarded, application success rates, staff and consultant costs, and progress toward diversifying agency funding sources. Uses funder feedback to improve future applications.
• Leads an agency resource development strategy to secure additional grants and funding for Prosper Portland’s programs, projects, and operations. Aligns funding priorities with agency goals and the Financial Sustainability Plan.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight for the Resource Monitor and other assigned resource development staff, including grant research, grant writing, application preparation, and submission. Establishes work plans, deadlines, and performance expectations.
• Oversees identification and evaluation of federal, state, regional, philanthropic, and other funding opportunities. Assesses eligibility, strategic alignment, matching requirements, implementation capacity, and ongoing financial obligations before recommending opportunities for pursuit.
• Directs development of clear, competitive grant proposals and applications, including project narratives, supporting research, budgets, measurable outcomes, and required documentation. Ensures submissions meet funder requirements and receive appropriate agency approvals.
• Cultivates relationships with funding agencies, foundations, and potential partners to understand funding priorities, identify opportunities, and strengthen Prosper Portland’s ability to secure external resources.
• Coordinates with Finance, Legal, Capital Access, and program departments on funding requests, budget commitments, partnership agreements, and award conditions. Ensures successful applications transition to responsible staff for implementation, financial oversight, and reporting.
• Maintains a coordinated schedule of funding opportunities, application deadlines, submissions, and award decisions. Reports results to the Executive Director, including funding requested and awarded, application success rates, staff and consultant costs, and progress toward diversifying agency funding sources. Uses funder feedback to improve future applications.

Research and Performance Reporting

• Oversees economic research and qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform agency priorities, policy choices, and public understanding of Portland's economy. Coordinates with program owners on reliable data definitions, quality, and interpretation.
• Leads development of agency impact reports, public dashboards, and evidence-based narratives that explain investments, outcomes, and progress. Ensures reporting distinguishes agency activities from results and communicates limitations accurately.
• Establishes department measures for policy milestones, advocacy outcomes, communication effectiveness, public engagement, and delivery of support to other departments. Reports performance to the Executive Director and uses findings to improve work.

Department Leadership and Management

• Provides direct supervision and overall direction to managers and staff responsible for the Policy and Communications teams. Sets clear expectations, assigns work, evaluates performance, coaches employees, and supports professional development and succession planning.
• Develops the department's annual work plan, budget, staffing priorities, and service standards. Balances planned initiatives with urgent requests and establishes clear intake, prioritization, and coordination processes for agency departments.
• Manages department expenditures, procurements, contracts, and consultants within delegated authority. Establishes deliverables and monitors quality, cost, timeliness, and compliance with agency policies and applicable agreements.
• Creates a respectful and collaborative work environment, addresses operational problems, and supports consistent management practices in partnership with Human Resources. Models the agency's values and responsible stewardship of public resources.
• Serves on the Executive Team, leads or supports assigned agency initiatives, and may serve as Acting Executive Director when designated. Performs other relevant duties as assigned.

Scope

• Provides leadership, direct supervision, and overall direction to the External Affairs Department, including the Policy and Communications teams.
• Operates independently with direction from the Executive Director and collaborates with Commission members, executive colleagues, and department leaders on agency priorities.
• Exercises sound judgment and political acumen in complex and changing governmental environments. Decisions may significantly affect agency operations, finances, public relationships, reputation, and achievement of strategic goals.
• Is accountable for department performance, budget management, staff development, service delivery, and adherence to applicable policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Represents and speaks for Prosper Portland within authorized agency positions. Escalates matters requiring executive, Commission, or legal approval and executes contracts within delegated signature authority.
• Handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion while supporting lawful disclosure, transparency, and accurate public reporting.

Competencies

Interpersonal Skills: Builds productive relationships through active listening, diplomacy, discretion, and reliable follow-through. Works effectively with elected officials, community members, partners, and colleagues whose interests may differ.

Mission-Driven Service: Connects department work to economic opportunity and the needs of Portland businesses and residents. Provides responsive service and makes complex information useful to others.

Teamwork: Works across departments, resolves disagreements constructively, and builds consensus while keeping responsibilities and decisions clear.

Leadership: Sets direction, delegates effectively, manages staff performance, develops managers and employees, and creates conditions for respectful and accountable teamwork.

Communication: Writes and speaks effectively for executive, legislative, media, and public audiences. Explains technical and financial information in plain language and uses evidence and storytelling responsibly.

Public Engagement: Understands differing perspectives and adapts communication and engagement methods to the audience. Facilitates productive discussion and supports meaningful participation and access.

Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of public policy development, governmental decision-making, legislative analysis, intergovernmental relations, and strategic advocacy.
• Advanced knowledge of strategic communications, media relations, issues management, brand management, digital communications, and public engagement.
• Knowledge of economic development, urban renewal and TIF, public/private partnerships, business and public finance, budgeting, and the use of data to evaluate outcomes.
• Knowledge of public-sector governance, ethical conduct, and public information responsibilities; working knowledge of research methods, office applications, and communications and reporting tools.

Continuous Learning: Seeks feedback, learns from experience, and adapts practices to changes in public policy, communications, and agency needs.

Problem Solving: Analyzes complex policy and organizational issues, tests assumptions, weighs options, and recommends practical solutions based on evidence and sound judgment.

Adaptability: Responds effectively to competing priorities, ambiguity, public scrutiny, and changing political conditions while maintaining accuracy and professional composure.

Planning and Organization: Translates strategy into achievable work plans, coordinates multiple teams and partners, manages budgets, and anticipates dependencies and risks.

Accountability: Takes responsibility for decisions, meets commitments, uses public resources responsibly, and communicates progress and problems promptly.

Minimum Education Training and Experience

Ten years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, government relations, public affairs, strategic communications, public administration, community or economic development, or a closely related field. A minimum of five years of management or leadership experience in a related field, including supervision of professional staff and responsibility for work planning, performance management, and budgets. An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience may be considered.

Demonstrated success working with elected officials or governmental decision-makers; developing or advancing policy initiatives; leading communications or public engagement strategies; and advising senior leadership on complex public issues.

Preferred Qualifications

Education in public administration, public policy, communications, political science, business administration, urban planning, or a related field. Experience in or closely with a public-sector economic development or urban renewal agency; knowledge of Oregon and Portland governmental processes; experience with legislative funding or appropriations, TIF policy, Tribal government relationships, and crisis communications. Bilingual or multilingual skills are valued.

Physical Requirements

Essential functions include sustained computer and office work; reviewing and preparing complex documents and data; communicating with internal and external stakeholders; facilitating meetings and presentations; and participating in activities at agency offices, public meeting locations, and community sites. Duties may require remaining in a stationary position for extended periods and moving between work and meeting locations. Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions

Work is generally performed Monday through Friday during agency business hours in a combination of in-person and remote settings consistent with agency policy. Regular in-person attendance at agency offices, City Hall, Commission meetings, and community or partner locations is required. Early morning, evening, weekend, or additional hours may be needed for public meetings, legislative activity, deadlines, or urgent communications. Travel within the metropolitan area is frequent; occasional travel outside the region may be required. Work involves complex and sometimes contested public issues, competing demands, and substantial public scrutiny.

Prosper Portland is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations are available for the application process and performance of essential job functions. This description identifies the general nature and level of work and is not an exhaustive list of duties.