Director, Community Relations

Summary

Position Title

Director, Community Relations

Department

External Affairs

Status

Full Time/Exempt

Job Summary

The Office of External Affairs oversees University Advancement, Marketing and Communications, Government Relations, Community Relations and lead engagement efforts for Jacksonville University. The Office of External Affairs develops, shapes and oversees communications, connection, and engagement within and beyond campus, to enhance the University’s reputation, drive revenue and advance its mission and vision.

The Director of Community Relations is responsible for expanding and developing partnerships/relationships with area corporations, organizations, municipalities, non-profits, educational institutions and governmental agencies with the goal increased engagement, driving revenue, and shaping perception.

The main goals of this position are to:

• Drive engagement to Jacksonville University’s campus.
• Influence the University’s community involvement and footprint.
• Participate in the Renew Arlington Project and lead key activation opportunities.
• Drive partnerships and community involvement to the Jacksonville University hub.

This position serves as strategic partner to leadership in critical initiatives and projects for Jacksonville University. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the implementation of a comprehensive community engagement strategy including oversight of the community sponsorships in the non-profit sector.
• In collaboration with the Senior Vice President of External Affairs, define the community engagement metrics and develop analytics to track engagement and strategically align University initiatives with community stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and direction to new/emerging opportunities to steward relationships between University leadership and local community.
• Establish relationships and enhance partnerships that support and enhance community engagement, outreach, and fundraising in the higher education ecosystem.
• Represent the University at various levels locally with a strong understanding of University messaging and campaign awareness.
• Seek out, establish and partner on opportunities within the local community that drive constituents to campus.
• Oversee the strategic planning and execution of Charter Day alongside Strategic Events and Campus Expierence.
• Work with Marketing & Communications on a communications plan messaging the impact of the Dolphin family in Jacksonville’s community.
• Serve as the point of contact for all activities in Arlington to ensure Jacksonville University is properly represented or supporting all Renew Arlington efforts.
• Work with existing partners on campus or affiliated with the University to drive engagement with their internal networks and effectively place them on local boards and committees in the city.

Priority Engagement

• Supports priority engagement efforts of the area.
• Works closely with all members of the External Affairs team. 

Required Skills/Abilities

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.
• Outstanding project management skills.
• Ability to interact and motivate others.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• High-energy and ability to interact with a wide range of individuals.
• Ability to be creative and an innovative thinker.
• Goal oriented with a strong desire for achievement.
• Ability to appropriately advocate for the University.
• Ability to attend and/or travel for University events.

Education, Certificates, Licenses, & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred.
• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, communications and volunteer engagement.
• Experience supporting an institutional fundraising division.
• Experience in external facing roles required.
• Experience working in higher education preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, and reach.
• Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and other business machines.
• Adequate hearing to communicate effectively in person and by phone.

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

Jacksonville University is transforming lives through innovations, scientific inquiry, and generating economic opportunity and growth that spans multiple sectors of industry. As northeast Florida’s premier private institution of higher education, Jacksonville University recently celebrated four consecutive years being ranked among the top 25 percent of regional universities on U.S. News & World Report’s prestigious list of Best Colleges, as well as consistent recognition as a Best Value and Military Friendly school. Founded in 1934, Jacksonville University offers more than 100 majors, minors, and programs, including indemand degrees in Nursing, Business, Marine Science, Engineering, Finance, and Psychology, as well as those in the highly specialized fields of Aviation, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Film, Animation, and Healthcare Administration. In recent years, the University has expanded to include five colleges, eleven schools and four institutes, and it has established nearly 500 partnerships with world-class companies, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Every day, Jacksonville University delivers on its unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of our students, our state, and the world forever. This is a pivotal moment in the University’s history. Early in 2022, Jacksonville University opened its College of Law and began inaugural classes at Jacksonville University Downtown—fulfilling a muchneeded gap in legal education as the first new law school to open in Florida in more than 20 years. Later in the same year, Jacksonville University announced a four-year medical school in partnership with Lake
Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. The medical school is supported by long-term clinical agreements with the region’s preeminent healthcare providers, including Baptist Health, Flagler Health+, AdventHealth, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, Brooks Rehabilitation, and others. The inaugural class of students is expected to begin in 2026 following the accreditation process and the construction of the medical school building, which will become the centerpiece of the newly constructed Medical Mall. Jacksonville University’s President, Tim Cost, celebrated 10 years of service to the University this February. Under President Cost’s leadership, the University has enjoyed an era of unparalleled success and growth. The Costs helped build the University into a $400 million economic engine for Jacksonville and for the Arlington community it calls home. The growth, and the President’s proactive approach to partnership, also helped attract more than $500 million in private investment and development throughout Arlington.

To Apply

Interested applicants are asked to submit a copy of their resume along with a completed JU Application to Mary Anne Jolly at mjolly@ngskmc-eis.net.