Director of External Affairs & Government Relations

Description

Position Summary

The Director of External Affairs & Government Relations is a strategic leader responsible for advancing Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless' (MCCH) external engagement strategy through government relations, public policy advocacy, strategic communications, public relations, brand management, institutional grant funding, and corporate partnerships. This position leads efforts to secure foundation, institutional, and corporate philanthropic support; strengthen relationships with elected officials and public-sector partners; elevate MCCH's public profile; and position the organization as a recognized leader in ending homelessness, expanding affordable housing, and advancing supportive services throughout Montgomery County.

Working closely with the CEO, Director of Community Impact & Philanthropy, Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and program leaders, the Director develops strategies that expand foundation and institutional grant funding, strengthen government partnerships, influence public policy, enhance organizational visibility, build strategic corporate partnerships, and increase community awareness and confidence in MCCH's mission and impact.

Institutional Grant Funding (30%)

Goal: Develop and manage a comprehensive institutional fundraising strategy that expands foundation, corporate, and other philanthropic grant support.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement MCCH's institutional grant funding strategy.
• Identify, pursue, and secure foundation, corporate, and other institutional grant opportunities that align with MCCH's strategic priorities.
• Lead the preparation, writing, and submission of competitive grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and funding applications.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with foundation representatives, corporate funders, and other institutional philanthropic partners.
• Coordinate proposal development with finance, compliance, development, operations, and program leadership.
• Oversee grant reporting, compliance requirements, renewals, and stewardship of institutional funders.
• Research  emerging philanthropic trends, foundation priorities, and institutional funding opportunities.
• Develop  strategies to diversify restricted and unrestricted philanthropic revenue to strengthen MCCH's long-term financial sustainability.
• Maintain an annual grants calendar to ensure timely submission of proposals, reports, and renewal applications.

Government Relations & Public Policy (20%)

Goal: Strengthen relationships with government leaders while advancing public policies that prevent and end homelessness.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement MCCH's government relations and public policy strategy.
• Serve as the organization's primary liaison with federal, state, county, and municipal elected officials and government leaders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, government agencies,  legislative staff, public-sector partners, and community leaders.
• Monitor  legislative and regulatory developments affecting homelessness, affordable housing, behavioral health, Medicaid, and human services.
• Prepare      legislative testimony, policy briefs, issue papers, position statements, executive briefing materials, advocacy communications, and public policy  updates.
• Coordinate advocacy campaigns, legislative engagement, and community education  initiatives.
• Represent MCCH on public committees, advisory boards, coalitions, and task forces.
• Support the CEO in legislative meetings, advocacy initiatives, public policy discussions, and government engagement.

Strategic Communications, Public Relations & Brand Management (30%)

Goal: Strengthen MCCH's reputation and visibility through strategic communications, public relations, and consistent brand leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement MCCH's comprehensive communications and external affairs strategy.
• Lead the organization's brand management efforts and ensure consistent messaging  across all communications and marketing materials.
• Oversee the organization's website, social media, newsletters, annual reports, digital marketing, publications, and other external communications.
• Provide direct supervision to the Communications and Digital Media Specialist. 
• Develop executive communications, speeches, presentations, talking points, op-eds, media statements, Board communications, and other leadership messaging.
• Serve as the organization's primary communications lead for media relations, press  inqu