Executive Director of Community Relations - Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York at Monroe Community College

Monroe Community College

Position Title: Executive Director of Community Relations - Monroe Community College

Location: Rochester, NY Category: Administration Job Type: Full Time Posted On: Mon Oct 19 2026 Job Description:

Function of Position:

The Executive Director of Community Relations provides strategic leadership and direction for Monroe Community College's community engagement, external relations, and institutional event initiatives. Reporting to the Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Executive Director, MCC Foundation, the Executive Director is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that enhance the College's visibility, reputation, and partnerships across the region.

The Executive Director serves as a key liaison between the College and community organizations, business and industry partners, government entities, alumni, donors, and other internal and external stakeholders. The position is responsible for the planning and execution of significant institutional events and programs that advance the College's mission and strategic priorities. The Executive Director utilizes data and analytics to assess the effectiveness of engagement efforts, inform strategic decision-making, and measure outcomes. This position also provides leadership and supervision to professional staff and oversees departmental budgets and resources to ensure effective, efficient operations. Direct reports to this position currently include an Assistant Director of Community Relations and a Community Relations Specialist.

Examples of Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements a comprehensive community relations strategy aligned with the College's strategic plan and Institutional Advancement goals.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for community organizations, local and national professional associations, civic leaders, government agencies (in collaboration with the Executive Director of Government Relations), business and industry partners, as well as internal and external constituents.
• Builds, cultivates, and sustains strategic partnerships that advance student success, workforce development, diversity, equity, and belonging, and community impact.
• Leads the planning, coordination, and execution of significant institutional events, public programs, community engagement activities, and VIP stakeholder experiences that enhance the College's profile and strengthen community relationships.
• Oversees all aspects of event management, including strategic planning, logistics, budget development and monitoring, vendor coordination, communications, risk management, and post-event assessment.
• Advises the Vice President, Institutional Advancement, President, and senior leadership on community relations issues, opportunities, institutional visibility, and emerging external trends.
• Represents the College at community events, public meetings, conferences, and regional forums, ensuring a consistent and positive institutional presence.
• Collaborates with all College units to coordinate outreach, messaging, event participation, and partnership activities.
• Partners with the MCC Foundation to support fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, and advancement initiatives through community partnership development and relationship management.
• Collects, analyzes, and utilizes data to evaluate community engagement efforts, measure program effectiveness, identify trends, and support strategic planning and continuous improvement.
• Develops reports, dashboards, presentations, and recommendations using qualitative and quantitative data for senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Manages sensitive and confidential issues and supports crisis response efforts in coordination with College leadership and communications staff.
• Supervises assigned staff; recruits, trains, mentors, and evaluates employees; establishes priorities and performance expectations; and fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment.
• Develops, administers, and monitors departmental and event budgets; ensures responsible stewardship of College resources; and oversees expenditures in accordance with institutional policies and procedures.
• Prepares and reviews high-level correspondence, speeches, reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other written communications for internal and external audiences.
• Performs related duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of Monroe Community College.

MCC Expectations:

• Adheres to the College Code of Conduct.
• Contributes to, supports, and maintains an equitable, inclusive, and collaborative College environment.
• Maintains technological competencies utilized by the College.
• Commits to the philosophy of a comprehensive community college.
• Commits to professional growth. This includes seeking ongoing training in diversity, equity, and inclusion to better serve students.

Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public administration, higher education administration, community development, business administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in community relations, external affairs, public relations, government relations, higher education administration, event management, or a related area.
• Demonstrated success in planning and executing large-scale events, programs, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and leading cross-functional teams.
• Experience developing, managing, and monitoring budgets and financial resources.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and utilize data to inform strategy, evaluate outcomes, and communicate results.
• Outstanding written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including exceptional business writing and editing abilities.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining partnerships with diverse community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leadership, community leaders, public officials, donors, business executives, and internal constituencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications, public administration, higher education administration, community development, business administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience working in a community college, public higher education, or nonprofit advancement environment.
• Experience overseeing major institutional, fundraising, or community engagement events.
• Experience using data analytics, constituent relationship management (CRM) systems, or engagement metrics to assess organizational effectiveness.
• Knowledge of the Greater Rochester region and its civic, workforce, philanthropic, and community landscape.
• Bilingual and able to read, write, and speak Spanish or other languages proficiently.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally.

Additional Information:

Salary: Salary is determined based on experience, internal equity, and college budget. This position has a range of $110,000 to $130,000 and is based on these factors.

MCC offers a Flexible Work Policy for benefit-eligible employees. Types of flexible work arrangements include flextime/staggered shifts, remote work/telecommuting, and compressed work schedule. The availability of flexible work arrangements varies by division, department, and position, based upon business and operational needs. Limitations to flexible work arrangements are outlined in the official policy.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: The physical demands and working conditions described below are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is primarily on your feet for long periods of time; the position requires regularly moving and lifting items up to 50 pounds and does require a valid NYS driver's license. There is regular travel to local procurement establishments utilizing a personal vehicle.

Prohibition of Remote Work Outside New York State: Remote work locations outside New York State are not authorized by the College due to out-of-state tax and regulatory implications. In limited circumstances, prompted by business or operational needs, the College may approve requests to work remotely outside of New York State, on a short-term, temporary basis.

Monroe Community College prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, familial status, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, domestic violence, victim status, criminal conviction, or any other characteristic or status protected by state or federal laws or College policy in admissions, employment, and treatment of students and employees, or in any aspect of the business of the College.

Notice of Non-Discrimination
Annual Campus Security & Fire Safety Report