Chief of External Affairs

 Chief of External Affairs

Salary Range: $181,300 - $227,920 annually, DOE
Classification: Full-time; Exempt; Non-Represented
Location: Seattle, WA; In-person and eligible for telework 

Organizational Overview

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) is an administrative agency that oversees homelessness-related programs and funding in the Seattle-King County region. Created by an interlocal agreement between the City of Seattle and King County in 2019, KCRHA is responsible for unifying and coordinating the homelessness response system across our large and diverse region. KCRHA works with a wide range of stakeholders, focusing on continuous improvement across the system, centering on lived experience, meeting the needs of people experiencing homelessness, and making the most effective use of public funds. Our mission is to significantly decrease homelessness throughout King County, using equity and social justice principles. We are currently seeking skilled leaders at all levels. 

Team Overview

The Chief of External Affairs leads government relations, communications, and special projects. The team has direct lines of interaction with all divisions across the agency, working closely with the Office of the CEO to ensure alignment with KCRHA’s senior leaders and overall strategy and goals. The Chief of External Affairs directly manages the DCEA and may supervise  staff comprising the Government Relations team: a Director, Government Relations, a Policy Analyst and   a Legislative Coordinator.. The Director, Government Relations works with staff of elected officials across the region to strengthen relationships and share information as appropriate. The Director, Government Relations staffs the CEA and CEO in meetings with elected officials, council meetings, and related events, and works with the Legislative Coordinator and Policy Analyst to understand and communicate the broader policy context and implications of budget and legislative activity to the rest of the Agency. The Legislative Coordinator tracks legislation, regulations, and other activity at all levels of government, analyzes potential impacts on KCRHA and the homelessness response system, and leads Agency-wide discussions on potential impacts and recommended actions. The Legislative Coordinator also leads development of KCRHA’s legislative agenda in collaboration with funding partners. The Director, Public & Board Relations develops meeting agendas collaboratively with KCRHA leadership, Board members and their staffs, supports the Board Chair(s) to schedule and convene meetings, serves as an expert in the official conduct of meetings to meet all legislative requirements, and manages all meeting materials and notes. At the direction of the CEA, the Deputy CEA formulates the Agency’s communications plan, manages staff on the communications team, fields media inquiries, and provides communications support directly to the CEO and other members of the SLT as needed.  

Role Description

Reporting  to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, the Chief of External Affairs sits on the Executive Leadership Team and works closely with the CEO and Deputy Chief of External Affairs (DCEA) and their teams to assess the regional government, community, and narrative landscape, establish and maintain relationships with key leaders and partners across the region, and formulate and execute strategies to ensure broad-based support for the KCRHA’s mission to provide high-quality, customer-centered services to Seattle/King County community members. 

Accountabilities

Government Relations

• Provide ongoing leadership and contribute to the development and implementation of public policy strategies that deliver efficient and effective homeless services and maintain positive relationships with external partners.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the context around high priority issues for the KCRHA and to identify intersecting issues, conflicts and opportunities for collaboration across the Authority and government partners.
• At the request of the CEO, represent KCRHA at public forums, such as committee meetings and other key events.
• Act as a conduit between authorizing bodies and all KCRHA divisions.
• Lead team to establish and manage relationships with the staff of key elected officials at all levels of government.
• Develop strategies to encourage support for KCRHA programs and initiatives.

Communications Strategy and Implementation

• Guide development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy for the agency, building awareness and support for agency priorities.
• At the CEO's direction, serve as an agency spokesperson.
• Support the CEO and other key staff in practicing consistent and effective communications.
• Coordinate with other governmental agencies to align messaging and harness opportunities to advance shared goals.

Coordination, Leadership and Operations

• Coordinate with teams across the agency to ensure that all work is aligned with agency strategy, goals, priorities, positioning, and messaging.
• Support Division Chiefs in incorporating government and community feedback and risk management into their work.
• Model a customer service orientation through leadership and accountability.
• Manage special projects as directed by the CEO.
• Make independent, strategic judgements and decisions to make progress toward KCRHA goals and priorities.
• Provide supervision, professional development, and coaching.

Minimum Requirements

• Deep fluency in equity and racial justice concepts and language, understands their own privilege and power and can bring equity impact analysis to their work.
• Practiced at sharing power across an organization.
• Demonstrated experience successfully leading external engagements and communications strategies in support of organizational goals.
• Proficiency with managing multiple objectives simultaneously, while keeping interested parties and supervisors well informed.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, especially for government and public audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and social skills.
• Team player with a strong ability to contribute positively to a team environment.
• Strong emotional intelligence and political acumen.
• Proficiency/comfort using technology and data, including Microsoft Office Suite.

Additional Requirements

• Experience in the homelessness or housing sector is preferred.
• Experience with government and community stakeholders in King County is strongly preferred.
• Experience working across government agencies and related structures/governing bodies.
• Experience managing teams.
• Commitment to support the success, growth, and development of a diverse workforce.
• A strong and consistent customer service orientation with collaboration skills.
• Ability to provide and accept feedback.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, timeliness.

Benefits

The KCRHA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Health: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Insurance: Life insurance and Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage.
Retirement: Pension and Deferred Compensations Plan for eligible employees.
Paid Time Off: Unlimited vacation, 96 hours of paid sick and safe leave, 12 official holidays, and 2 personal holidays.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for personal and work-related challenges.

EEO Statement

The KCRHA is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, nationality, national origin, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, The KCRHA will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Salary : $181,300 - $227,920