Director of External Relations
The Director of External Relations (DoER) oversees MIST’s public‑facing communication, customer service, and external partnerships. This role ensures consistent, professional engagement with attendees, participants, alumni, and community partners, and serves as the primary representative for MIST’s external image.
Official Start Date: May 1, 2026
Key Responsibilities
Customer Service & Communications
Oversee the Head of Communications and customer service team in managing inquiries via email and national social media platforms
Coordinate with Executive Leadership Team and Regional Directors to ensure accurate and appropriate responses
Align with Outreach & Marketing team on branding and messaging
Draft public statements as needed
Develop hospitality protocols and customer service trainings/resources for regions
Incidents
Respond to and resolve any external complaints requiring further investigation
Collaborate with relevant Directors to address concerns
External Partnerships & Networks
Oversee the Head of Alumni Relations and the LinkedIn Alumni Network (involving discussions, posts, and programming)
Build and maintain positive relationships with external partners
Draft MOUs and contracts in consultation with Executive Leadership Team and Regional Directors
Ensure partners receive appropriate support and follow-through
Collaborate with National Programs team to facilitate post-tournament focus groups with tournament attendees
Qualifications
Cannot hold a concurrent MIST organizing role (must step down if selected)
Minimum 2 years of MIST organizing experience, preferably at the Director level
Experience managing teams and leads
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Comfort drafting and reviewing MOUs, agreements, and contracts
Ability to communicate promptly and professionally; responds within 24 hours
Ability to work under pressure in public-facing or incident-related situations
Strong emotional intelligence and discretion
Ability to represent MIST professionally in external settings and partnerships
Experience in outreach and community engagement is a plus
Commitment to organizational stewardship, including supporting ELT peers and participating in broader strategic discussions beyond assigned responsibilities
Ability to dedicate 8 - 12 hours/week