Director of Community Relations & Strategic Engagement

Our Vision

A world where no resource is wasted.

Our Mission

To ensure that no resource goes to waste by empowering people to redeem every container easily, efficiently, and effectively.

Our Values

We are loyal, resilient, trustworthy, creative, competent, and engaged.
 

Summary
The Director of Community Relations & Strategic Engagement advances the organization’s community engagement, stakeholder relations, strategic partnership, philanthropic, and public trust-building efforts in close coordination with the Vice President of Strategy and Outreach. This role is responsible for strengthening community relationships, building public support for Oregon’s Bottle Bill and BottleDrop programs, enhancing OBRC’s reputation and visibility across Oregon, and ensuring leadership is informed about emerging community issues, opportunities, and stakeholder perspectives. The position works closely with the Director of Government Relations to cultivate local relationships, align outreach efforts, and support organizational priorities.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities
•    Advance a proactive community relations and strategic engagement strategy developed in collaboration with and guided by the Vice President of Strategy and Outreach.
•    Educate the public and build trust in Oregon’s Bottle Bill, BottleDrop network, and OBRC programs.
•    Activate and support local Bottle Bill advocates, ambassadors, nonprofit partners, and community champions.
•    Build and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, nonprofit leaders, local retailers, businesses, local governments, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders.
•    Work closely with the Director of Government Relations to strengthen local relationships and coordinate external engagement activities.
•    Monitor community sentiment and identify opportunities or risks that may affect organizational priorities, reputation, or operations.
•    Collect, analyze, and communicate community feedback and stakeholder intelligence to leadership.
•    Lead survey, research, and stakeholder assessment initiatives and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
•    Support community engagement and relationship-building activities related to BottleDrop network expansion and operational initiatives.
•    Develop, manage, and evaluate philanthropic and community investment programs.
•    Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships that advance organizational priorities and community impact.
•    Partner with communications staff to amplify community impact stories and stakeholder success stories.
•    Manage complex cross-functional projects involving internal and external stakeholders.
•    Prepare briefing materials, stakeholder profiles, presentations, and engagement strategies for leadership.
•    Track, document, and report community relations activity, stakeholder engagement outcomes, and partnership development efforts.

Education/Experience
•    Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, public policy, or a similar field of study.
•    Minimum of 5 years of high-level leadership experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or community relations.
•    Knowledge of and relationships with community organizations, environmental organizations, and members of the media.
•    Experience supervising employees and managing teams.

Requirements – Skills, Job Knowledge & Abilities
•    Demonstrated track record of success working in a leadership role in strategic community outreach and public trust-building 
•    Experienced in reputation management and issue identification.
•    Solutions Focused, with the ability to look at the big picture.
•    Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively at all levels with both internal and external partners, especially writing and editing internal and external documents.
•    Must be a adept at building relationships and working through others.
•    Ability to translate technical and/or complex information into easily understood formats.
•    Proven leadership experience with ability to work well independently and as part of a team and demonstrated ability to create cross-department approaches and solutions.
•    Demonstrated ability to successfully prioritize and manage multiple projects, adhere to deadlines, handle frequent changes effectively and professionally, follow through on issues promptly.
•    Strong organization skills with exceptional attention to detail.
•    Proficiency and professional knowledge of MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
•    A current driver's license and acceptable driving history is required.

Supervisory Responsibility
•    This role has direct supervisory responsibility.

Travel
•    Frequent travel throughout Oregon is required, as well as other travel as needed.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements
•    Perform work in an indoor professional office environment.
•    Use standard office equipment and supplies.
•    Sit/stand for continuous periods of time at a desk and work on a computer, walk occasionally.
•    Use arms, wrists, hands and fingers to reach, grasp objects, use tools, and for writing and keyboarding.
•    Read, write, and speak to communicate effectively with others.
•    Listen to interpret comments and instructions received.
•    Visual abilities to be able to read printed documents and computer screens.
•    Lift, carry and push/pull to move office products and supplies up to 20 pounds.
•    Sit in a vehicle for extended periods when traveling between job sites.