Division Lead, External Affairs

* Applications will be accepted until February 25, 2025, 5:00 PM PST*

The Division Lead, External Affairs, provides senior leadership in advancing the Park District’s mission and public engagement. Reporting to the Assistant General Manager of External Affairs, the position supports the strategic direction and operations of the External Affairs Division, including Communications and Public Affairs, Government and Legislative Affairs, and Clerk of the Board, and provides strategic counsel on communications, media relations, and public messaging to executive leadership and the Board.

The Division Lead of External Affairs is responsible for implementing a creative, dynamic, and modern communication strategy that connects diverse East Bay residents and communities with all the Park District has to offer. They will understand the role strategic communications plays in building public support and buy-in for legislative priorities on behalf of the Park District. They will be adept in crisis communications, responding to the media in a timely and effective manner, connecting with the appropriate staff and leadership to ensure all aspects of an issue are understood and accurately represented.

They will work with the External Affairs team to develop a clear visual brand and identity for the East Bay Regional Park District and deploy across the Park District. They will build a strong social media presence working across Park District divisions, utilizing video and visual storytelling to amplify the myriad positive experiences people have when exploring and enjoying East Bay parks and programs, highlighting the great work and projects underway across the Park District.

They will evaluate the effectiveness of different communications tools and strategies and determine the best ways to deploy staff and resources to meet a range of Park District goals.

Please view our brochure here.

Develop and implement modern communications strategy, including creative social media campaigns; support the website redesign project underway; develop an Annual Report; support implementation of District Plan and potential regional funding measure; manage media relations and crisis communications.

The Division Lead for External Affairs will report to the Assistant General Manager for External Affairs and work closely with the Division Lead for Government and Legislative Affairs and the Clerk of the Board to strategically align communications with policy, legislative, and Board priorities. They will oversee two departments – Creative Design Group (CDG) and Communications/Public Affairs with three direct reports:
Creative Design Group Manager, Communications and Outreach Manager, Marketing and Media Supervisor. Together, CDG and Communications/Public Affairs have a total of 14 employees.

The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is the largest regional park system in the United States—spanning 126,809 acres across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The District manages 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, 1,330 miles of trails, and 250 miles of paved regional paths that connect communities throughout the East Bay.

• Salary: $ - $/annually with a scheduled 3% COLA increase in April 2026
• Retirement
  :
  Classic California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) Members: 2% at 55 formula, 8% contribution;
  New Members 2% @ 62 formula, 7.75% contribution.
• Social Security & Medicare: Employee Cost: 7.65% of earnings (6.2% Soc. Sec. + 1.45% Medicare)
• Medical: The Park District contracts with CalPERS to provide comprehensive health coverage to employees. Multiple HMO and PPO plans available. Park District pays 100% of Kaiser Family Premium.
• Dental Insurance: District paid premium. Option of seeing Delta Dental PPO or Delta Dental Premier dentists.
• Vision Insurance: Voluntary benefit. Employee paid. Coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for either Standard or Premium Plan.
• Vacation: Starting with 12 days annually and increasing with years of service up to 21 days.
• Sick Leave: 12 days per year, unlimited accrual.
• Administrative Leave: 40 hours annually (prorated for employees hired after January…