DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS RESUME EXAMPLE

Published: Dec 3, 2024 – The Director of External Relations directs and oversees the organization’s external relations, partnerships, and resource mobilization strategies to ensure alignment with institutional objectives and effective implementation. This position establishes and nurtures relationships with diverse stakeholders, including governments, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, and donors, to strengthen the organization's position in international development, rule of law, and access to justice. The director also leads the creation and dissemination of impactful communication materials, ensuring consistency with organizational goals while managing reputational risks and enhancing global visibility.

Tips for Director of External Relations Skills and Responsibilities on a Resume

1. Director of External Relations, Greenfield Community Development, Denver, CO

Job Summary: 

  • Manage major gifts teams focused on securing gifts of $100,000 or more from alumni, parents, and friends from across the globe.
  • Lead regular moves management meetings.
  • Manage annual giving team focused on reunion and non-reunion annual giving portfolios.
  • Manage an active portfolio of major and principal gift prospects primarily in the Bay Area and Asia.
  • Develop solicitation goals, objectives, and strategies, and cultivate and solicit gifts to the law school and the university.
  • Provide strategy, leadership, and direction to gift officers, dean, faculty, and volunteers that has a broad scope and impact.
  • Work with the Dean, Associate Dean, faculty, and lead volunteers to develop goals and fundraising activities.
  • Provide opportunities for professional growth focusing on retention to increase the capacity and stability of the team.
  • Inspire and motivate staff by fostering a work environment that encourages new ideas, risk-taking, team-based efforts, celebrating current achievements, and setting/meeting philanthropic goals.
  • Direct staff and provide leadership to achieve the goals and vision of the organization.
  • Responsible for hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, personal development for direct reports, and accountable for the performance of employees.
  • Ensure appropriate resources are allocated towards programs, resolve internal allocation issues, and maintain focus on high potential/high return donors.


Skills on Resume: 

  • Major Gift Fundraising (Hard Skills)
  • Portfolio Management (Hard Skills)
  • Team Leadership (Soft Skills)
  • Strategic Planning (Hard Skills)
  • Staff Development and Coaching (Soft Skills)
  • Stakeholder Engagement (Soft Skills)
  • Moves Management (Hard Skills)
  • Cross-Cultural Communication (Soft Skills)

2. Director of External Relations, Horizon International Consulting, Portland, OR

Job Summary: 

  • Ensure the design and successful implementation of high-visibility outreach strategies and events relevant to advancing the company’s vision and programmatic work, and the rule of law and access to justice more broadly
  • Represent the company in external events and meetings with stakeholders to promote the company’s mission and support the achievement of its goals and objectives
  • Advise the Director-General and Senior Leadership Team on strategies to mobilize interest in the rule of law and justice and engagement with the company among senior officials in government, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector and to promote, advocate, and mobilize political will and support to ensure that the rule of law and access to justice remain high on global, regional and national agendas
  • Ensure that advocacy, communication, and outreach strategies are integrated effectively into all aspects of the company’s programs, from the design and proposal stage to project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
  • Enhance the company’s internal communications function through the provision of strategic advice and the development of relevant strategies and the design and delivery of high-quality internal communications tools and products
  • Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and contribute to the definition and implementation of the company’s vision and strategy
  • Build an effective team by providing clear direction, fostering staff development, and implementing performance management through ongoing dialogue, feedback, and mentoring, motivating and supporting staff to foster a teamwork approach in meeting objectives and goals
  • Encourage individual and team initiative and consultation with supervisors, and maintain effective working relationships within a multicultural setting
  • Develop, oversee, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of an annual program of work and budget for the Department.


Skills on Resume: 

  • Outreach Strategy (Hard Skills)
  • Stakeholder Engagement (Soft Skills)
  • Advocacy (Soft Skills)
  • Communication (Hard Skills)
  • Internal Communications (Hard Skills)
  • Team Leadership (Soft Skills)
  • Cross-Cultural Collaboration (Soft Skills)
  • Program Management (Hard Skills)

3. Director of External Relations, Bright Future Health Organization, Austin, TX

Job Summary: 

  • Oversee and manage the overall external relations and partnerships work of the Department, including leadership, supervision, and motivation of colleagues leading communications, partnerships and governance, resource mobilization, and other external relations functions
  • Develop, and ensure the effective and efficient implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of innovative external relations strategies and activities across the organization in collaboration with relevant departments, offices, and entities
  • Lead in building institutional relationships and partnerships in line with partnership strategy
  • Map and expand networks of stakeholders and collaboration to position the company as a trusted intergovernmental partner and contributor in the areas of international development, rule of law, and access to justice
  • Ensure that the company’s external communications and content on corporate channels (website, social media, mailings) align with institutional objectives, strategy, and political sensitivities and manage reputational risk.
  • Lead the development of the company’s publications, including organizational reports, online, multi-media, other digital and print communications materials, and other relevant documentation
  • Monitor and assess the impact of communication materials in delivering the company’s key messages and partnership-building
  • Support the Director-General in her accountability to the company's Governing Bodies
  • Establish and maintain active and productive relationships with governments, the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations, civil society, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, academia, and other potential partners at national, regional, and international levels.
  • Engage the donor community and funding partners to enhance the strength and diversity of the company’s political and financial support, and mobilize increased resources for the Organization and in support of the rule of law and justice sectors at international, regional, and country levels


Skills on Resume: 

  • External Relations Management (Soft Skills)
  • Strategy Development (Hard Skills)
  • Partnership Building (Soft Skills)
  • Stakeholder Networking (Soft Skills)
  • Communications Management (Hard Skills)
  • Publication Development (Hard Skills)
  • Impact Assessment (Hard Skills)
  • Resource Mobilization (Soft Skills)