DDA EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

Overview

Main Purpose of Job
The Director of External Affairs provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s external engagement functions, including legislative affairs, constituent services, communications, and stakeholder relations. This position serves as the principal advisor to the Chief of Staff on external affairs strategy, ensuring consistent messaging, proactive and responsive constituent engagement, key stakeholders, and effective communication of the Administration’s policies, initiatives, and priorities. The Director fosters collaboration with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, providers, advocacy organizations, state and local government partners, and the public to advance DDA’s mission, strengthen public trust, and support informed policy development and implementation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and six years of health or human services administrative or professional experience, including three years at a supervisory or managerial level. Experience in communications, public relations, public affairs, public policy, journalism, business administration, marketing, is preferred.

A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university will substitute for one year of general experience and a Doctorate will substitute for two years of general experience. Additional experience will substitute on a year-for-year basis for the college degree.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned executive leader with significant experience in media relations, external affairs, legislative and government relations, strategic communications, public policy, constituent services, and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to advise senior leadership, develop and execute organization-wide external affairs strategies, and effectively represent the Administration with legislators, government partners, advocacy organizations, providers, families, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the media and public. Candidates should possess exceptional written, verbal, and executive communication skills, strong political and strategic judgment, and a demonstrated ability to translate complex policies and initiatives into clear, accessible messages.

Experience navigating state legislative and governmental processes, managing sensitive or high-profile issues, and coordinating timely and consistent responses to emerging concerns is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will have a proven record of building trusted relationships, fostering consensus among diverse stakeholders, strengthening constituent responsiveness, and advancing public trust. Knowledge of disabilities policy, human services, health care, or other complex public-sector environments is strongly preferred. Experience with Maryland State government, the Governor’s Office, Maryland General Assembly, advocacy organizations, or comparable government and community partners would be particularly valuable.

The successful candidate will be a strategic, collaborative, politically astute, and highly credible leader who can anticipate external risks and opportunities, provide sound counsel to executive leadership, and ensure that DDA’s communications, legislative engagement, constituent services, and stakeholder relationships are aligned with its mission, strategic priorities, and policies.
SELECTION PROCESS
This is a Management Service position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority. A resume must be uploaded to the application.

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable.

For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incorrect application forms will not be accepted.

Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.
EOE.