Director, Advocacy and External Affairs

Position : Director, Advocacy and External Affairs
Classification : Full-time, Exempt
Reports to : Vice President, Community Based Care
Company : Texans Together
Location : Houston, TX

Position Description :
The Director of Advocacy and External Affairs is a strategic leadership role responsible for managing Texans Together public image and external partnerships. Leading the Advocacy and External Affairs Department, the Director plays a critical role in building relationships with government officials, media, community leaders, and institutional partners.
The Director is also instrumental in sustaining Texans Together credibility, influence, and advocacy impact for vulnerable children and families across the region.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Communication & Messaging: Directs initiatives to promote Texans Together as a leading voice in child welfare, ensuring messaging is aligned, timely, and impactful.
• Policy & Legislative Leadership: Develops and executes legislative strategies, advocates for child welfare policy improvements, and builds influential alliances to drive systemic change.
• Media & Public Relations: Oversees all public relations activities, managing media outreach and controlling the organization’s public narrative, especially in times of crisis.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engages with local/state officials and community institutions to advance organizational goals and policy priorities.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Works with executive, legal, compliance, operations, marketing, and community teams to anticipate challenges and respond to opportunities affecting public perception.

Primary Responsibilities :
Leadership and Management

• Provide daily oversight and strategic direction for the Advocacy and External Affairs Department.
• Establish annual priorities and performance measures to track progress against strategic goals.

Strategic Engagement and Messaging

• Develop and execute comprehensive public relations and advocacy strategies to strengthen brand awareness and recognition.
• Oversee preparation of press releases, op-eds, success stories, and other communication materials to highlight Texans Together’s work and impact in partnership with the marketing team.
• Ensure proactive media engagement and responsiveness to inquiries and coverage in partnership with the marketing team.

Stakeholder Relations

• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with City councils and county commissioners; State legislators and policy makers; State child welfare leaders and agencies; School superintendents, hospital CEOs, and other institutional partners.
• Represent Texans Together at high profile conferences, media events, and public meetings.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for recognition (awards, speaking engagements, partnerships).
• Work in partnership with the community building team to identify and respond to local issues and opportunities.

Crisis Communication and Reputational Risk Management

• Act as a rapid responder during critical incidents or public scrutiny, ensuring coordinated and effective messaging.
• Maintain readiness protocols and response plans for crisis communications.
• Monitor public sentiment and advise leadership on emerging issues and reputational risks.

Narrative Development and Asset Collection

• Oversee the collection of narrative assets from the field, such as foster parent testimonials and success stories in partnership with the community building team, casework teams and program staff.

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Partner with executive leadership, program teams, and compliance staff to ensure alignment of messaging with organizational priorities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy and public relations initiatives through metrics, stakeholder feedback, and media analysis.
• Foster a culture of strategic engagement and continuous improvement within the department.

Required Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, communication, social work or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum four (4) years’ experience in public affairs, advocacy, or nonprofit leadership.
• Experience managing cross functional teams, campaigns, and multi-year initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Strong knowledge of child welfare systems and related legislation in Texas.
• Exceptional interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills.
• Passion for equity, family empowerment, and systemic reform.
• Deep understanding of Texas child welfare systems, including DFPS operations and Community Based Care.
• Familiarity with Community Based Care, foster care, and trauma informed practices.
• Strong grasp of legislative processes, public policy formation, and challenges facing child welfare organizations in Texas.
• Knowledge of legal and procedural standards for child protective services, family preservation, and youth rights.
• Awareness of equity and justice principles that impact children and families across racial, economic, and cultural lines.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling messages across audiences. Ability to communicate effectively during crises situations.
• Skilled in developing legislative strategies and engaging with government bodies.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to build coalitions, partnerships, and alliances.
• Proficiency in crafting op-eds, policy briefs, press releases, and testimony.
• Ability to drive systemic change through thoughtful influence, persuasive advocacy, and sustained public engagement.
• Ability to navigate high pressure environments and respond to policy shifts with agility and insight.
• Ability to build trust with impacted communities and center youth and family voices in program design and messaging.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and lead strategic decision making in fast paced advocacy settings.
• Demonstrate cultural competency and commitment to equity in all facets of external and internal engagement.

Work Conditions :

• Environment: Hybrid- Office, Remote
• Range of Schedule: Mon – Fri, 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
• Travel: Occasional, Local and Statewide (Uses own vehicle on agency business but does not transport clients. (Must have a valid Texas Driver License and current Auto Insurance)

DePelchin is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace.

DePelchin is committed to selecting and employing the best and most qualified person available for each job opening without unlawful discrimination of any kind. Additionally, DePelchin is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), marital or parental status, veteran status, religion, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, genetic information, or political affiliation.