Director of Community Relations
Hanover College is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to fill the role of Director of Community Relations. This high-level strategic position will play a pivotal role in fostering and managing partnerships and providing top-level oversight for “Jefferson Together,” a $30 million grant focused on community development in Jefferson County, Indiana. The successful candidate will be an effective communicator and a skilled collaborator, committed to advancing the College's mission while positively impacting the surrounding community.
This is a grant-funded position with a planned duration not to exceed five (5) years.
Administrative Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive community relations strategy that aligns with Hanover College's mission and goals, fostering positive relationships between the College and various community stakeholders.
- Lead the ongoing planning and implementation of the $30 million grant for community development, ensuring its successful execution, compliance, and impact assessment.
- Serve as the primary liaison between Hanover College and external community organizations, government entities, and other stakeholders, cultivating and maintaining strong partnerships; represent the College at city council and county commission meetings, community events, and conferences.
- Collaborate with College leadership to identify opportunities for synergies between the grant's objectives and the College's strategic priorities.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of community engagement efforts, utilizing data-driven insights to continuously improve strategies and outcomes.
- Provide regular updates and reports on the progress and impact of community relations and grant initiatives, including comprehensive, timely, and accurate reporting to Lilly Endowment.
- Serve as the staff liaison to the Board of Trustees ad hoc Town and Gown Committee and to the Jefferson Together Community Advisory Board.
- Supervise and direct work assigned to student workers.
- Evaluate and effectively communicate work assignments, provide direction, and assess performance.
- Provide leadership through coaching, mentoring, and learning opportunities.
- Develop and manage budgets for grant-funded initiatives, ensuring responsible financial stewardship.
- Produce and evaluate periodic reporting and grant expenditures while analyzing the data for accuracies and outcomes; collaborate and communicate with key stakeholders on reporting, data, and related outcomes.
- Promote a positive image of Hanover College and represent the College in accordance with the College’s mission, principles, and strategic plan.
- Support and advocate for the College’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, goals, and mission.
- Maintain confidentiality when and as needed relative to work performed and access to information.
- Perform / complete other duties and tasks as assigned by the President or the Chief of Staff.
Education, Certifications, Training, Experience
- ?Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., community development, business administration, nonprofit management) preferred
- Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in community relations, local government, partnership development, or a related field, with a demonstrated track record of successful stakeholder engagement preferred .
- Proven ability to oversee and manage large grants or projects, including budgeting, design and construction management, contracts, reporting, and compliance preferred.
- Knowledge of higher education environments and an understanding of community development dynamics preferred.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify innovative solutions to complex challenges
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders
- Proficiency in data analysis, including Excel, and other software to track and measure the impact of community relations efforts
- Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects concurrently.
- Strong organizational time management skills
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and a strong dedication to advancing positive change within communities
- Ability to work independently and in team environments
- Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, managing multiple priorities simultaneously
- Ability to work flexible hours as needed (evening and weekend events)
- Regular/daily climbing of stairs and walking to/from activities and events on/off campus
- May be eligible for occasional remote work with advanced approval
- Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs
- Occasional evening and weekend work and out of town travel required
Hanover College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing an inclusive, welcoming, and diverse college environment. We seek candidates of all backgrounds regardless of age, race, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. No person, on the basis of protected status, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under any College program or activity, including with respect to employment terms and conditions. We embrace diversity and encourage all who are interested to apply.
