Director of External Relations - Inland Empire

Director of External Relations – Inland Empire Area Office

Reports To: Executive Director, Inland Empire Area Office

Status: Full-Time; Exempt

Location: Riverside, CA (Hybrid – minimum 2 days/week in office)

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Salary Range: $105,000 – $130,000 annually (based on experience and qualifications)

Are you passionate about giving back to your community and making a lasting difference in the lives of young people?
 

Who We Are:

In 1922, Woodcraft Rangers opened its doors in Los Angeles and began its mission of guiding young people as they explore pathways to purposeful lives. As a progressive organization, Woodcraft has always been responsive to the evolving needs of the communities served, and is notably inclusive, youth-led, and rooted in the Woodcraft Way, a holistic framework that develops body, mind, spirit, and service. Continuously at the forefront of expanded learning opportunities, Woodcraft Rangers has a rich history of making a significant impact in the greater Los Angeles area, believing that all youth are innately good, deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential, and should be an active participant in defining their own path.

What We Do:

Woodcraft Rangers provides TK-12 expanded learning programs, including before and after school, specialty enrichment, and summer learning. In the past few years, Woodcraft has expanded its menu of services beyond traditional afterschool programs and summer camps to include early learning, environmental and social justice, college access, and inclusion services for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, we offer Lifecraft, a college and career advancement program to support the development of approximately 2,000 staff. Today, Woodcraft Rangers serves more than 30,000 youth ages 4 to 18 each year across 150 plus Title I schools in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, and continues to expand its reach.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is highly relational and externally credible, with strong business development instincts and a deep commitment to community impact. They are skilled at building trust with school districts, civic leaders, and community partners, and are able to operate strategically while executing consistently. A service-driven professional who thrives in a mission-focused environment and is passionate about expanding access and opportunity for young people across the Inland Empire.
 

Why Work for Woodcraft Rangers:

• Competitive salary – $105,000 – $130,000 annually (based on experience and qualifications)
• Paid vacation & sick time – generous time off to recharge
• Lifecraft program – free college & career advancement for all staff
• Upward mobility – promote-from-within culture
• Health, dental & vision – comprehensive benefits coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan – invest in your future
• Pet insurance – because your whole family matters
• Mission-driven work – impact 30,000 + young people annually

Role Overview:

The External Relations Director serves as the primary driver of regional partnership development and external engagement for the Inland Empire Area Office. Acting as the Executive Director’s strategic right hand in market-facing work, this role is responsible for building and sustaining relationships with school districts, community organizations, funders, and civic leaders that expand Woodcraft Rangers’ regional impact, reach, and revenue. The External Relations Director also supervises the Community Engagement Coordinator and ensures consistent, high-quality engagement strategies across the region.

Responsibilities:

Partnership & Relationship Development

• Build and manage strategic relationships with school districts, community partners, funders, and local stakeholders.
• Identify and advance new partnership and revenue opportunities in alignment with organizational growth goals.
• Support regional fundraising and development efforts in partnership with central development teams.

• Represent the organization in external meetings, convenings, and community forums across the Inland Empire.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality community engagement strategies and execution across the region.
• Track and report on partnership pipeline, engagement activities, and relationship outcomes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate closely with program leadership to ensure strong partner experience and alignment between external commitments and program delivery.

• Supervise and develop the External Relations Coordinator, providing coaching, direction, and professional growth opportunities.
   

Qualifications/Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in external relations, partnership development, government relations, fundraising, business development, or community engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including school districts, civic leaders, and community-based organizations.
• Strong presentation and communication skills; able to represent the organization credibly in external settings.
• Experience supporting fundraising, development, or grant-funded program environments preferred.
• Supervisory experience with the ability to develop and motivate direct reports.
• Knowledge of the Inland Empire region and its educational, civic, and nonprofit landscape strongly preferred.
• Mission-driven with a deep commitment to youth development and educational equity.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit management, public administration, communications, or related field preferred.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following physical demands may be essential for the effective performance of this position. Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

• Frequent standing is required during working hours
• The ability to travel across the Great Los Angeles area, using either a car or public transportation, is necessary several times a month.
• Regular use of hands for various tasks, such as operating a computer and handling objects, is essential.
• Must be able to occasionally lift/move up to 40 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodation is available for individuals with disabilities.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and will actively consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to effectively perform their roles. This position operates in environments typical of the following key aspects:

• Regular exposure to computer monitors during work.
• The typical noise level of a standard work environment.
• Stable internet access is required for effective work-from-home performance.

Woodcraft Rangers provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breastfeeding), age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, transitioning status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. We also prohibit discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.