Job Summary
The Director of Government & External Affairs serves as a senior external representative for Community Mediation Services and is responsible for strengthening CMS’s relationships across government, community, and institutional sectors. Working closely with the CEO, Resource Development leadership, and Program Division Heads, the Director will build and maintain strategic relationships with elected officials, public agencies, community stakeholders, institutional partners, and collaborative networks throughout New York City. This position plays a central role in supporting organizational growth by strengthening CMS’s visibility, expanding strategic partnerships, identifying opportunities that support funding and program expansion, and ensuring CMS maintains a coordinated and informed presence within civic and governmental spaces. The Director will work across divisions to ensure external engagement activities align with agency priorities while contributing to long-term organizational sustainability.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Government Relations & Public Sector Engagement
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with elected officials and government stakeholders throughout New York City.
- Represent CMS in meetings, briefings, hearings, coalitions, and public forums involving city agencies, elected offices, and institutional partners.
- Coordinate engagement strategies with senior leadership to strengthen CMS’s visibility and institutional relationships.
- Monitor government initiatives, policy developments, and funding opportunities relevant to CMS programs and organizational priorities.
- Support preparation for meetings involving elected officials, public agencies, and key institutional stakeholders.
- Strategic External Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent CMS in community-based, interagency, and citywide stakeholder settings.
- Build and sustain relationships with nonprofit partners, civic organizations, educational institutions, and community stakeholders.
- Identify strategic partnerships and collaboration opportunities that strengthen program delivery, sustainability, and organizational growth.
- Support agency visibility initiatives that enhance CMS’s public presence and community standing.
- Maintain awareness of emerging community needs and systems trends affecting CMS services.
- Organizational Growth & Resource Development Collaboration
- Partner closely with Resource Development leadership to identify opportunities that support funding growth, public investment, partnerships, and organizational sustainability.
- Share relationship intelligence and external engagement insights that strengthen cultivation strategies and growth initiatives.
- Support cross-functional collaboration between programs, development, and executive leadership to align external engagement efforts with organizational priorities.
- Identify opportunities that may contribute to program expansion, strategic partnerships, and institutional growth.
- Program Alignment & Internal Coordination
- Participate in regular briefings with Program Division Heads to maintain current understanding of program priorities, service capacity, and emerging needs.
- Coordinate internal preparation for external meetings and stakeholder engagements.
- Facilitate communication across divisions to ensure consistent and accurate external representation.
- Recommend opportunities for joint participation by program leadership, executive leadership, or development staff when appropriate.
- Reporting & Institutional Knowledge Management
- Maintain records of external engagements, key stakeholder relationships, and follow-up activities.
- Provide timely updates and summaries to executive leadership and relevant divisions.
- Support organizational knowledge management related to government and external affairs activities.
- Contribute to systems that strengthen institutional memory and continuity in external relationships.
Experience, Education and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Nonprofit Management, Government, Communications, Social Work, or related field preferred.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, external affairs, stakeholder engagement, nonprofit leadership, community partnerships, or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience working with elected officials, government agencies, and institutional stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of New York City government structures, public systems, and community-based networks preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships and maintain effective cross-sector relationships.
- Experience supporting organizational growth, partnership development, or external engagement initiatives.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational abilities and follow-through.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in representing the organization externally.
- Commitment to equity, dignity, community-centered practice, and the mission of Community Mediation Services.
Physical Requirements (Essential Functions)
This position requires the ability to move throughout the facility and perform tasks that may include:
- Standing or sitting for extended periods
- Bending, squatting, or reaching
- Occasionally lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds
These physical requirements are essential functions of the role and may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
EEO Statement
Community Mediation Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all persons in employment-related decisions, including hiring, promotions, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Family leave
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience working with elected officials, government agencies and institutional stakeholders ?
- Do you have experience supporting organizational growth, partnership development or external engagement initiatives?
Education:
Work Location: In person
