A community affairs manager is responsible for managing a company’s relationship with public groups, acting as a spokesperson and coordinating external relationships. Duties vary depending on the type of business, but can include administering grant programs, managing public perception around projects, and introducing nonprofit services to new people.
A community affairs manager handles a company’s relationship with public groups. The position is sometimes known as public affairs, community relations, or community outreach manager. Specific duties usually depend on the type of business. Corporations, event marketers, non-profit organizations and political offices are some of the types of businesses that will use a community affairs manager to coordinate external relationships.
The community affairs manager manages the relationship between the company and a segment of the public whose goodwill is important to the company’s continued success. Someone employed in this position usually acts as the company’s spokesperson at the local level. Your job is usually to go out into the communities where a company does business and put the company’s face forward by answering questions and passing out information.
In specific contexts, the range of tasks that can be considered community affairs is quite wide and depends on the type of company employing the position. For example, a community affairs manager in a political context is often part of constituent services. A politician employs this type of manager in a local office to be a liaison with a specific constituency, such as non-profit organizations or businesses. Duties in this context include meeting with members of the public, raising concerns with the politician, distributing information and holding public meetings.
A community affairs manager hired by a large corporation is typically responsible for the company’s charitable work in the community. The manager administers a grant program, processes applications, meets with organizations, and distributes money. He also manages the relationship between the company and the non-profit organization, attending events and visiting programs on behalf of the company.
Another set of tasks that can be included in the community affairs position in the corporate context is managing public perception around large projects. A business that wants to expand operations into a new community often needs approval from local community leaders and positive public sentiment. The Community Affairs Manager is tasked with meeting with community councils and other staff, conducting public information sessions and presenting the project in a positive light. Once the project is approved, the project manager keeps the community informed of its progress and deals with issues during the configuration or construction phase.
Nonprofit organizations also employ community affairs managers to work with the people they serve. Typically, the position in this context is about advertising or introducing the nonprofit organization’s services to new people. At times, the community affairs manager also handles strategic partnerships with other non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, government agencies and local politicians. Due to the restricted nature of a nonprofit organization’s budget, this type of manager may also be assigned government and media relations assignments.
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