External Affairs Specialist

Salary Range: $64,000 to $82,000 Annually

External Affairs Specialist
About the Organization

The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping local organizations across rural America build affordable homes and vibrant communities. To accomplish our mission, HAC provides its partners with technical assistance, training, and below-market financing to build affordable housing.

We also maintain a prominent role in developing national housing policy, informing Congressional action, and publishing research. Our emphasis is on helping the poorest of the poor in the most rural places, particularly regions and populations with high needs: Native American communities, the Mississippi Delta, farmworkers, the southwest border colonias, and Appalachia.

Position Summary

We are looking for a dynamic and creative communications professional to expand HAC’s corporate communications and culture of storytelling. The External Affairs Specialist will take a lead role in creating and executing the organization’s communications strategy, developing content and key messages for external audiences that highlight the incredible impacts of HAC’s work, and position the organization as the “Voice” of rural America.

Working in the Office of the CEO, reporting to the Development Manager and partnering with the public policy team, HAC’s executive team, and Technology Manager, the External Affairs Specialist is the champion and ambassador for HAC’s visibility and storytelling. This individual will generate content that supports HAC’s goals around policy and advocacy, fundraising, and thought leadership.

The specialist will develop materials such as blog posts and articles, presentations, speeches and/or talking points, donor outreach, op-eds, and videos. The specialist will also manage HAC’s social media activities, website content updates, and CMS publishing across multiple platforms.

Primary Responsibilities

The External Affairs Specialist is responsible for researching, composing, editing, and distributing key communication and visibility materials for multiple and diverse external audiences. Duties include:

In partnership with organizational leadership, create and execute a communications and external engagement strategy that amplifies HAC’s brand as a leading national organization, with deep and authentic ties to rural places.

Create and manage outreach content including presentations, speeches and/or talking points, donor outreach, op-eds, videos, and success stories for HAC’s website, social media platforms, and visibility activities that elevate the work of HAC and stakeholders.

Work with HAC leadership and staff to identify and create content that supports HAC’s policy priorities and programs.

Monitor and coordinate visibility opportunities for HAC leadership and staff, such as speaking opportunities, presentations, and op-eds, that expand HAC’s visibility and role as a national organization.

Provide support for email campaigns via Dynamic 365 Real-time Journeys.

Bolster internal and external communications plans.

Support fundraising and advocacy activities.

Qualifications

The External Affairs Specialist will be a positive and persuasive communicator who views outreach to diverse stakeholders as essential to combatting poverty and building vibrant communities. The ideal candidate will have:

Associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree preferred

Minimum of 5 years of professional communications experience or equivalent

Strong understanding of communications principles, communications channels (including social media), fundraising, and/or policy

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Working knowledge of Canva or similar graphic design software

Excellent Office 365 skills

Unwavering attention to detail and ownership of work

Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and efficiently under moderate supervision

Ability to work independently as required

A positive, outgoing, fun disposition with a sense of humor and a can-do spirit

Compensation and Benefits

HAC offers competitive wages, benefits, and growth opportunities consistent with industry standards. Flexible benefits packages include:

Health insurance

Life and other insurance

Financial benefits, including a retirement plan with partial employer match

Paid time off

Work/life benefits, including education assistance

The salary range is $64,000 to $82,000 per year, depending on qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Employment Information

HAC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. HAC does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Learn more here