Position: Director of External Affairs
Position Type: Full-time, exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid Work Environment)
Start Date: June 2026
About the Partnership for College Completion (PCC)
The Partnership for College Completion (PCC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 to champion policies and practices that increase college completion and eliminate degree completion disparities for low-income, first-generation, and students of color in Illinois — particularly Black and Latinx students. PCC is the only organization in Illinois dedicated to providing leadership for a systems-level approach to support college completion and eliminate institutional inequities by race and income in higher education outcomes.
PCC envisions a state where equitable opportunities to access and complete a college education lead to greater degree attainment, racial equity, and socioeconomic mobility for Illinoisans. With its vision for system-level reform and institutional change, PCC executes a three-part strategy in pursuit of its goals:
- Supporting colleges and universities directly in their institutional equity change efforts
- Advocating for effective local, state, and national policy and legislation
- Conducting and elevating data and research to increase public awareness and dialogue on higher education equity
Position Overview
The Director of External Affairs is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing PCC’s external engagement strategy across communications, government affairs, and community engagement. This position ensures that PCC’s research, policy priorities, and institutional partnerships are translated into compelling public narratives, coordinated advocacy strategies, and strong relationships with policymakers, partners, and the broader public.
The Director will oversee PCC’s communications and government affairs work while cultivating strong relationships with community partners, advocacy coalitions, and stakeholders across Illinois. This role will align messaging, advocacy, and engagement efforts so that PCC’s work builds public understanding, mobilizes partners, and drives meaningful policy impact.
Working closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership team, the Director of External Affairs will play a central role in shaping PCC’s external strategy, strengthening PCC’s brand and visibility, and ensuring that communications, advocacy, and community engagement operate as a coordinated system that supports PCC’s mission.
Core Responsibilities
External Affairs Strategy and Organizational Leadership (40%)
- Develop and lead PCC’s integrated external affairs strategy across communications, government affairs, and community engagement.
- Partner with the Executive Director and other members of the Senior Leadership Team to align external engagement with PCC’s strategic priorities and policy agenda.
- Ensure that PCC’s external messaging, advocacy strategies, and public engagement activities reinforce one another and support measurable policy outcomes.
- Establish systems, planning rhythms, and cross-team coordination processes that ensure communications, advocacy, and engagement efforts operate cohesively.
- Contribute to organization-wide planning, budgeting, and performance monitoring related to external affairs activities.
- Supervise communications and government affairs staff, providing leadership, coaching, and professional development.
- Serve as a key organizational leader by contributing to strategic planning, goal-setting, and cross-functional alignment in support of PCC’s mission and values. Support board reporting and, when appropriate, present on programmatic work, progress, and impact.
- Actively shape and sustain a high-performing, inclusive, and equity-centered culture that promotes collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous learning across teams.
- Manage external consultants, vendors, and contractors as needed.
Communications and Public Narrative (30%)
- Oversee PCC’s communications strategy, including messaging, media relations, digital communications, and public storytelling.
- Translate PCC’s research, policy analysis, and institutional partnership efforts into accessible and compelling narratives for policymakers, media, and the general public.
- Lead the strategy for releasing and amplifying PCC’s reports, publications, campaigns, and public-facing materials to expand the organization’s public footprint and influence; ensure publications are strategically timed, communicated, and leveraged across media, policymakers, and partners to advance PCC’s broader public affairs and advocacy goals.
- Serve as a public spokesperson for PCC and prepare senior leaders and partners to represent the organization effectively.
- Build and sustain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and thought leaders to increase coverage and awareness of PCC’s work.
Government Affairs and Advocacy (20%)
- Lead PCC’s government affairs strategy by aligning legislative engagement, coalition partnerships, and advocacy efforts with the organization’s annual policy priorities.
- Collaborate closely with the Policy and Advocacy team to ensure coordinated strategy, consistent messaging, and effective advancement of PCC’s policy agenda at the state and federal levels.
- Build and sustain strong relationships with policymakers, legislative staff, state agencies, and advocacy partners.
- Coordinate advocacy campaigns that advance PCC’s policy priorities and strengthen public investment in equitable higher education outcomes.
- Partner with the Policy and Advocacy and Data and Research teams to translate analysis and insights into clear and effective advocacy strategies.
- Support the organization’s engagement with coalitions and statewide initiatives focused on higher education equity.
Community Engagement and Partnerships (10%)
- Strengthen PCC’s relationships with community organizations, student leaders, and advocacy partners across Illinois.
- Develop strategies for engaging communities in PCC’s work, ensuring that policy priorities are informed by lived experience and community expertise.
- Support coalition building and collaborative initiatives that advance shared goals across the higher education ecosystem.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience
- At least 6 years of experience in government affairs, policy advocacy, communications, public affairs, or related leadership roles
- Demonstrated experience contributing to media coverage, as well as developing and implementing strategic communications or advocacy campaigns at the local, state, or federal level
- Strong understanding of policy and advocacy, coalition building, and public engagement strategies
- Proven ability to build and sustain trusting relationships with policymakers, media, and community stakeholders while demonstrating exemplary integrity
- Experience managing interns, consultants, and/or staff and leading cross-functional initiatives
- Flexibility to navigate frequently evolving political scenarios and organizational needs
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Commitment to advancing racial equity and educational opportunity
- Alignment with PCC’s mission to increase college completion and eliminate equity gaps
Preferred:
- Master’s degree in public policy, communications, higher education, public administration, or a related field
- At least 7 years of experience working in education policy, higher education, or related advocacy organizations
- Demonstrated knowledge of Illinois’s higher education policy landscape and legislative processes
- Demonstrated experience serving as a public spokesperson or leading media engagement strategies
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for Director of External Affairs is $95,000 – $115,000 annually, commensurate with experience, along with a generous benefits plan that includes health, dental, a 403(b) plan with a generous company match (up to 5%), short- and long-term disability, holiday, vacation, and sick accrual, a flexible, hybrid work schedule, paid parental leave, access to professional and wellness opportunities, and a number of other elective and competitive benefits such as vision insurance.
Commitment to Diversity
The Partnership for College Completion is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to building a diverse team and to engaging the skills and leadership of people of color, individuals from low-income households, LGBTQ+ persons, differently-abled people, and others that hold identities that represent the significant diversity of college students in Illinois. People from these and other historically marginalized backgrounds and communities are strongly encouraged to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!
Virtual and In-Office Workplace
PCC maintains a flexible, hybrid work environment. Staff work remotely three days per week and are expected to work in the office two days per week to support collaboration, team culture, and cross-functional coordination. The person in this role should expect frequent in-state travel, especially to Springfield during legislative sessions.
COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccination and corresponding documentation must be provided by all employees in advance of their start date.
How to Apply
To be considered for the Director of External Affairs position, please email your application materials as a single PDF attachment to apply@partnershipfcc.org, with the subject line: Director of External Affairs.
Your application must include:
- A cover letter that outlines your interest in the role, demonstrates your experience navigating the higher education policy landscape and contributing to equitable reform efforts, and shares your vision for advancing the kind of strategic communications that would strengthen PCC’s mission and impact.
- A resume detailing relevant professional experience.
Late-stage candidates will be asked to provide 2–3 professional references.
PCC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on sex, race, color, ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.
