Director, External Affairs

The application deadline is on April 28th. Please submit both a resume and a cover letter to be considered.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director of External Affairs (Director) will be responsible for managing and coordinating a wide range of activities concerned with risk prevention, issues management, crisis response, and U.S. government affairs. The Director reports to the VP and Chief External Affairs Officer (VP), and serves as a strategic partner to and extension of the VP using experience in political communications, government, public affairs, and crisis management to support the mission and objectives of the foundation.

The Director works collaboratively with the Office of the President, Office of Legal Services, Office of Communications, and members of the Executive Leadership Team in all areas of mutual interest.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE

Issues Management & Crisis Response

• Lead the execution of the rapid response system for the Foundation during issues and crisis situations, supporting the VP in refining existing procedures for efficiency and tactical response.
• Work with partners across the Foundation to monitor and manage emerging issues from start to finish. Track media inquiries, news clips, legislative updates, and social media landscapes to inform the response strategy.
• Provide real-time updates and recommendations to the President and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on reputational risk, crisis situations, and government affairs.
• Distribute daily and weekly risk clips to keep senior leadership informed of key developments.
• Work with the VP to build and maintain relationships with the press for response efforts (answering complex, flagged, or sensitive inquiries).

Government Affairs

• Work with the VP to set strategic priorities for government affairs work to advance the Foundation’s mission.
• Provide updates and advice on U.S. government affairs developments to U.S.-based and global Foundation staff.
• Prep the President and senior leadership for meetings with elected officials and policymakers.
• Work with the VP to engage with elected officials and their staff regarding meetings, events, and correspondence.
• Monitor policy developments and Congressional activities as they relate to the nonprofit sector.
• Help manage the work of government affairs consultants with the VP and Chief Legal Officer.

Risk Prevention

• Lead proactive risk prevention initiatives, including developing risk meeting materials and training sessions with Legal.
• Maintain and refresh rapid response playbooks, holding statements, and incident archives throughout the year.
• Partner with program teams to stay informed on developments and ensure coordinated communication during issues.
• Conduct risk analysis when items are flagged, as directed by the VP of External Affairs and Legal team.
• Assist in managing the relationship with external communications consultants for risk and crisis management work, ensuring deliverables and timelines are met in coordination with the VP.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• 10+ years experience at a senior level in public relations, public affairs, media, government, or a related field. Varied and broad experience is preferred over specialization.
• Deep experience in political communications, government, public affairs, and crisis management, with a preference for recent government experience (within the last 10 years).
• Strong background in stakeholder coordination and real-time reputational risk mitigation.
• Proven ability to think strategically, analyze critically, and translate ideas and insights into action through coherent and viable programs and plans.
• Excellent communication skills: a strong writer, editor, and presenter of ideas.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment and to organize multiple and varied priorities.
• Demonstrates grace and polish under pressure, with unwavering soundness of judgment.
• A proven record of making sound judgments about competing priorities and managing time and resources well.
• Strong leadership skills including flexibility, collaboration, diplomacy, empathy, and listening skills.
• Commitment to the foundation’s mission and core values.
• Degree in journalism, communications, or policy preferred; relevant communications/government experience a plus.
• Ability to travel as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position is primarily a sedentary role. However, the person in this position may need to occasionally move about inside the office to liaise with internal staff, access files, office machinery, and a copy machine/printer. In addition, travel will be required as needed.

The Ford Foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. As part of this commitment, the Foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact [email protected].

SALARY

The Ford Foundation is committed to salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $232,000, and the maximum is $240,000. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of this range. A candidate’s relevant experience and the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity determine the final offer. Global compensation is reviewed regularly to ensure market competitiveness and equity. The hiring range for this position has been carefully crafted to align with the market.

LOCATION

This position is based in the foundation’s New York office. The Foundation operates in a hybrid model and requires staff to be in the office three days per week.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

This is a permanent position.

Visit the Ford Foundation career site here to submit your application.