SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
CAIR-Georgia • Atlanta, GA (Hybrid) • Full-Time
Position Details
| Position | Senior Director of External Affairs, Full-Time |
| Areas of Focus | Strategic communications, publications and external messaging, statewide outreach, media relations, coalition representation |
| Location | Atlanta, GA (Hybrid), travel as needed |
| Reports To | Deputy Director |
| Supervises | Communications and Outreach department staff and interns |
| Start Date | As soon as possible |
About CAIR-Georgia
CAIR-Georgia is the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Our mission is to protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims while enhancing the understanding of Islam.
From legal representation and policy advocacy to community organizing and public education, CAIR-Georgia works every day to ensure that Muslims in Georgia are treated with the dignity, fairness, and equal protection that every American is owed. We are headquartered in Atlanta and serve communities across the state: in courtrooms, at the capitol, in mosques, and in the streets.
The Opportunity
The Senior Director of External Affairs leads how CAIR-Georgia is seen, heard, and presents itself across Georgia. This senior role oversees the Communications and Outreach departments, including all publications, external messaging, and outreach and presence in cities across the state, from coalition events to speaking engagements and community outreach.
The Senior Director serves as an official spokesperson for CAIR-Georgia, partners with the Executive Director in coalition spaces and serves as the Executive Director’s proxy when needed. The right candidate knows the Georgia Muslim landscape, is embedded in the community, and can both speak for the organization in a crisis and build the systems and team that make our external work consistent and sustainable.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Department Leadership & Operations
Lead the Communications and Outreach departments as one integrated function.
Supervise, develop, and evaluate all Communications and Outreach staff and interns, including hiring and onboarding
With the Deputy Director, set each department’s annual work plan, metrics, and budget in line with CAIR-Georgia’s strategic plan
Oversee the smooth running of systems that run external work done by communications and outreach teams
Report department progress to the Deputy Director regularly
Success looks like: Communications and Outreach departments that meet their annual goals and retain their staff.
2. Communications & Publications
Own all of CAIR-Georgia’s external messaging and publications.
Oversee press releases, statements, website, social media, newsletters, email campaigns, reports, and printed materials
Set the annual communications strategy and key messages in collaboration with leadership, and keep every channel consistent with them
Review and approve public-facing content before release; crisis and high-profile statements are approved by the Executive Director
Lead rapid response and crisis communications, including after hours when incidents affecting Georgia’s Muslim community occur
Produce communications that support fundraising, the annual gala, and donor stewardship in partnership with Development
Success looks like: A clear annual communications strategy, with audience and earned media growing year over year.
3. Outreach & Statewide Presence
Build CAIR-Georgia’s presence in communities across Georgia.
Develop and lead a regional outreach plan covering priority cities and communities beyond metro Atlanta in accordance with the organization’s strategic plan
Lead relationships with masajid, Muslim student associations, community centers, and local leaders statewide
Oversee the Outreach department’s activities: Know Your Rights trainings, community forums, tablings, and outreach events from planning through follow-up
Manage speaking engagements alongside the Executive Director
Ensure outreach generates intake referrals, volunteers, members, and donors, and that these are captured in CAIR-Georgia’s systems
Success looks like: A visible CAIR-Georgia presence in communities across Georgia, with outreach milestones met each year.
4. Spokesperson & Media Relations
Serve as an official voice of CAIR-Georgia.
Serve as an official spokesperson with print, broadcast, and digital media, alongside the Executive Director
Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and producers across Georgia
Prepare the Executive Director and staff for interviews, panels, and public testimony
Train and maintain a bench of approved staff spokespeople
Success looks like: A trusted, load-sharing partnership with the Executive Director in external engagements.
5. Coalition Representation
Partner with the Executive Director, who remains CAIR-Georgia’s lead voice in coalition spaces.
Serve as the Executive Director’s proxy in Muslim, interfaith, civil rights, and progressive coalition spaces when delegated or when the Executive Director is unavailable
Coordinate coalition coverage with the Executive Director through a shared plan of who attends which spaces
Attend coalition meetings, coordinate joint actions, and brief the Executive Director on commitments, risks, and opportunities
Recommend coalition sign-ons, endorsements, and joint statements for Executive Director approval
Success looks like: Coalition commitments that are well briefed and followed through.
6. Relationship Management
Build and maintain relationships with internal staff, board members, community partners, and external stakeholders. Represent CAIR-Georgia professionally in all interactions. Support donor, volunteer, and partner stewardship as appropriate to the role.
7. Operations and Team Participation
Attend and actively participate in all-staff meetings, one-on-ones with supervisor, and relevant organizational planning sessions. Contribute to a culture of accountability, communication, and mission alignment. Support organizational events and campaigns as needed.
Assist with general duties shared by all CAIR-Georgia staff, including answering phones, weekly outreach, fundraising, and office tasks
Essential Functions
The functions below are essential to this position. CAIR-Georgia adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will provide reasonable accommodations that enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions, unless an accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the organization. To request an accommodation, contact the HR Representative.
Essential Job Functions
Lead, supervise, and evaluate Communications and Outreach staff
Review and approve CAIR-Georgia’s external messaging and publications
Serve as a public spokesperson, including live and on-camera media interviews and public speaking
Represent CAIR-Georgia in coalition spaces and serve as the Executive Director’s proxy when needed
Travel easily, reliably, and punctually around metro Atlanta on a regular basis for meetings, events, and outreach, by whatever means the employee chooses
Work occasional evenings and weekends for events, outreach, and organizational needs
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Work at a computer for extended periods and use standard office technology, including phone and video conferencing
Communicate clearly in person, by phone, by video, and in writing with staff, community members, and external partners
Work in the office in accordance with CAIR-Georgia’s current in-office guidelines
Travel to different parts of Georgia 4 to 5 times per year
Respond to time-sensitive media and crisis communications outside regular business hours
Work on site at community events, coalition meetings, and speaking engagements
This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may change based on organizational needs, and other duties may be assigned. This job description does not create a contract of employment.
Candidate Profile
Required Experience
5+ years of experience in communications, advocacy, community organizing, or public affairs, including 3+ years supervising staff
Strong understanding of the Georgia Muslim landscape, including its communities, masajid, institutions, and leaders
Embedded in Georgia’s Muslim community, with trusted relationships already in place
Proven experience as an organizational spokesperson with media, including on-camera and live interviews
Track record of crisis and rapid response communications
Excellent writing and editing across press, digital, and long-form formats
Experience representing an organization in coalitions
Technical Proficiency
Social media, email, and website platforms used for organizational communications
Media monitoring and contact management tools
Working knowledge of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
Values Alignment
The ideal candidate demonstrates:
Deep commitment to civil rights, racial justice, and the empowerment of Muslim communities
Comfort working in a mission-driven, fast-paced, resource-constrained environment
Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build trust across diverse communities
Deep personal or professional involvement in Georgia’s Muslim community and the civil rights issues facing its diverse members
Experience working in or alongside community-based organizations, advocacy spaces, or coalition environments
Sound judgment in protecting CAIR-Georgia’s mission and reputation under public pressure
Compensation & Benefits
Salary
Salary range: $95,000–$105,000. CAIR-Georgia offers competitive compensation for the Georgia nonprofit sector. Starting salary is based on experience and qualifications. This position includes a 90-day probationary period. All compensation is contingent on organizational fundraising.
Benefits
CAIR-Georgia offers the following benefits, which are contingent on organizational fundraising and reviewed annually:
Healthcare reimbursement through a tax-free Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) via TASC, allowing employees to choose their own individual health insurance plan
15 days paid vacation + federal holidays + December winter break (PTO grows with tenure)
Paid parental leave: 12 weeks for birth mothers; 4 weeks for non-birth parents and adoptive parents
Annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) tied to CPI-U, applied each January
Annual retention bonus ($500) and merit bonus eligibility ($3,000–$5,000) based on performance evaluation
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility as a qualifying 501(c)(3) employer
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): free, confidential mental health counseling and work-life support
How to Apply
To apply, submit the following documents in PDF format to [email protected] with the subject line: Senior Director of External Affairs 2026, Your Name.
Resume
Cover letter expressing your interest in CAIR-Georgia’s mission and illustrating how your experience aligns with the key focus areas of this role
Three professional references, including each reference’s name, title, organization, phone number, and email address
Writing sample (no more than 10 pages)
Two samples of relevant communications or advocacy work
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. CAIR-Georgia is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.