External Affairs Director

DCI Donor Services

New Mexico Donor Services (NMDS) is looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic team member to join us to save lives! Our mission at NMDS is to save lives through organ donation, and we want professionals on our team that will embrace this important work!

We are seeking an External Affairs Director to join our team. This position will increase the organization’s reach and community standing through community engagement and organ/tissue donation registration awareness initiatives. The incumbent will represent the organization in an array of community events while also pursuing community and corporate partnerships. Travel will be required.

For over four decades, DCI Donor Services has been a leader in working to end the transplant waiting list. Our unique approach to service allows for nationwide donation, transplantation, and distribution of organs and tissues while maintaining close ties to our local communities.

DCI Donor Services operates three organ procurement/tissue recovery organizations:
New Mexico Donor Services, Sierra Donor Services, and Tennessee Donor Services. We also maximize the gift of life through the DCI Donor Services Tissue Bank and Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank.

• Establish and maintain relationships with groups and in the community to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation and other business development opportunities.
• Expand donation awareness in collaboration with the communications strategy, including advertising, public relations, digital and social media efforts, and managing strategic partnerships.
• Represent the company in community development activities and initiatives for the OPO’s designated service area, partnering with community groups such as major hospitals/transplant centers, faith‑based organizations, etc., to establish a presence in promoting donation.
• Direct and oversee community relations programs that effectively describe and promote donation in an effort to save and enhance lives.
• Legislatively represent and protect organization interests by working with local, state, and federal government entities; develop key relationships with government and legislative leaders; ensure excellent working relationships with government leaders.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory activities.
• Partner with the CEO and Corporate Officers on proposed legislative actions to determine the potential impact on donation.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and the OPO community regarding the company’s position on local, state, and federal regulations and collaborate with the Communications Director to convey internally and externally.
• Collaborate with the Communications Team on the strategic goals and vision of the organization, including public relations, legislative affairs, website, social media, and marketing collateral; contribute to web and social media content.
• Manage the Public Education Staff and oversee the efficiency of donation‑related events to increase the number of registered donors; serve as point of contact for community service organizations, legislative staff, community government and business leaders, DMVs, community groups, hospitals/transplant centers.
• Represent the organization at community and business events which will require public speaking with poise and engagement.
• Support senior leaders with talking points, background details, crisis communications and stakeholder communications.
• Maintain current knowledge of the donation and transplantation industry, including national campaigns and strategies, and keep track of developing trends to communicate in a timely and appropriate manner with stakeholders and the general public.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to communicate internally and externally to diverse audiences with tact, courtesy, and superior attention to detail.
• Write clearly, creatively, and persuasively to advance priorities across a variety of channels; tell stories ethically and with an equity‑focused lens; copyedit with a critical eye.
• Manage, organize, prioritize, and deliver on day‑to‑day tasks and longer‑term projects, individually and as part of a…