External Affairs Director

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 eliminate transplant waiting lists and extend the gift of life through organ donation. We are seeking an External Affairs Director to increase the organization’s reach and community standing through community engagement and organ/tissue donation registration awareness initiatives.

This role will represent NMDS at community and corporate partnerships and will require travel.

For over four decades, DCI Donor Services has been a leader in ending the transplant waiting list. Our unique approach enables nationwide donation, transplantation, and distribution of organs and tissues while maintaining strong ties to local communities. DCI Donor Services operates three organ procurement/tissue recovery organizations:
New Mexico Donor Services, Sierra Donor Services, and Tennessee Donor Services, and manages the DCI Donor Services Tissue Bank and Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank. Our performance is measured by how we serve donor families and recipients. By mobilizing the power of people and the potential of technology, we honor the gift of life and extend the reach of each donor’s contribution.

We are committed to fairness, belonging, and innovation, ensuring all communities feel welcome and safe.

• Establish and maintain relationships with community groups and organizations 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 organization in community development activities and initiatives for the OPO’s designated service area. Partner with hospitals, faith‑based organizations, and other community groups to promote donation.
• Direct and oversee community relations programs that effectively describe and promote donation to save and enhance lives.
• Legislatively represent and protect organizational interests by working with local, state, and federal government entities; develop key relationships with government and legislative leaders.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory activities.
• Collaborate with the CEO and corporate officers on proposed legislative actions to assess their impact on donation.
• Work with senior leadership and the OPO community on the company’s position on local, state, and federal regulations; collaborate with the Communications Director to convey position internally and externally.
• Collaborate with the Communications Team on strategic goals and vision, 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 donation-related events to increase the number of registered donors. Serve as point of contact for community service organizations, legislative staff, community leaders, DMVs, hospitals, and transplant centers.
• Represent the organization at community and business events requiring 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 track emerging trends to communicate timely and appropriately with stakeholders and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to communicate internally and externally to diverse audiences with tact, courtesy, and attention to detail.
• Write clearly, creatively, and persuasively to advance priorities across a variety of channels, telling stories ethically and with an equity‑focused lens, and copy‑editing with a critical eye.
• Manage, organize, prioritize, and deliver on day‑to‑day tasks and longer‑term projects individually and as part of a fast‑paced team.
• Take direction, carry out assigned tasks, and develop new skills and systems…