A community affairs manager is in charge of a company’s relations with the general public. A public affairs, community relations, or community outreach manager is another name for the position. Specific responsibilities are frequently determined by the type of business. Corporations, event planners, nonprofits, and political offices are just a few of the types of companies that hire a community affairs manager to manage their external relationships.
The community affairs manager manages the company’s relationships with a segment of the public whose goodwill is critical to the company’s long-term success. In most cases, someone in this position serves as a local spokesperson for the company. His job typically entails going out into the communities where a company conducts business and representing the company by answering questions and disseminating information.
The range of duties that can be considered community affairs in specific contexts is quite broad and depends on the type of business that employs the position. In a political context, a community affairs manager, for example, is usually part of constituent services. This type of manager is hired by a politician in a local office to serve as a liaison with a specific constituency, such as the nonprofit or business community. Meeting with members of the public, relaying concerns to politicians, disseminating information, and holding public meetings are all examples of duties in this context.
A major corporation’s community affairs manager is usually in charge of the company’s charitable work in the community. The manager oversees a grant program, which includes processing applications, meeting with organizations, and disbursing funds. He also manages the company’s relationship with the nonprofit in the future, attending events and visiting programs on the company’s behalf.
Managing public perception around major projects is another set of responsibilities that can be included in a community affairs position in a corporate setting. A company that wants to expand operations into a new community frequently requires approval from local community leaders as well as favorable public opinion. Meeting with community boards and other officials, holding public information sessions, and presenting the project in a positive light are all responsibilities of the community affairs manager. After the project has been approved, the manager keeps the community updated on its progress and resolves any issues that arise during the setup or construction phase.
Community affairs managers are also employed by nonprofits to work with the people they serve. Typically, this position is concerned with outreach, or introducing new people to the nonprofit’s services. Strategic partnerships with other nonprofits, for-profits, government agencies, and local politicians are sometimes handled by the community affairs manager. This type of manager may also be assigned government and media relations duties due to the tight nature of a nonprofit’s budget.