Community Engagement Director

Austin Smiles – The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to advance its mission of providing surgical and post‑surgical care to children born with cleft lip and palate in Central Texas & Latin America. Our vision is to create a sustainable system of care by which patients are cared for before, during, and after their surgeries and as they age into adulthood.

Austin Smiles is looking for a Community Engagement Director to join our life‑changing mission! This position is responsible for promoting Austin Smiles local and international mission within the Central Texas community, while also planning and executing Austin Smiles fundraising events. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role deepens community and donor/volunteer engagement by creating meaningful connections, coordinating impactful events, and ensuring an excellent supporter experience.

The Director works across departments to align volunteer and event strategies with agency needs, cultivates strong relationships with donors and community partners, and contributes to Austin Smiles long‑term programmatic and philanthropic goals.

Community Engagement: This role requires someone who thrives on building relationships, is comfortable with community outreach, and has proven experience marketing to businesses, donors, volunteers, parents, and families. This individual will serve as an Austin Smiles ambassador at networking events, community gatherings, health fairs, and at donor/volunteer appreciation events. They will build new relationships with sponsors, businesses, donors, medical professionals, and referral partners to increase awareness and community participation.

Event Management: Serves as the primary project manager for signature fundraising (Wish Upon a Smile Gala & Shoot for a Smile), as well as giving society gatherings, including project timelines, tracking work streams, and ensuring timely completion of all tasks. Oversees front‑of‑house operations and volunteer coordination ports board leadership, committees, and staff in planning and executing events that advance fundraising and stewardship goals.

Create meaningful donor engagement opportunities that reflect Austin Smiles’ mission. Coordinates with Communications Team on event collateral, branding, photography, videography, and media requests. Manages vendor research, negotiations, and contracts. Provides direction, coordination, and recognition for event volunteers. Collaborates with the team to integrate events into cultivation and stewardship strategies. Documents event details, participant lists, and outcomes in the donor management system, as well as thank you letters.

Manages online event software, auction items, and in‑kind donations. Helps spearhead new sponsor ships for Austin Smiles signature events and local programming.

Volunteer Engagement: Supports a robust volunteer program for local and international programming, including outreach, recruitment, support, recognition, and retention. Helps market our international volunteer opportunities to the medical community. Partners with cross‑departmental staff to identify high‑impact volunteers and opportunities that advance program, events, and organizational needs. Coordinates and manages individual and group volunteer activities (post‑medical mission trip celebrations, as well as supporting local quarterly social & emotional programs: Holiday Party, Back to School, Camp Amigo & Spring Family Fun Day).

Cultivates positive relationships with volunteers through consistent communication, meaningful engagement, and recognition initiatives.

Required 3 - 5 years of relevant experience in community relations, event planning and volunteer engagement; preferred bachelor’s degree. Demonstrated success in planning and managing events, donors, and volunteer programs. Nonprofit experience is strongly preferred. Proficiency with donor databases/CRM systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, online event software, and Constant Contact. Experience with vendors and budgeting.>

• Passion for local and international humanitarian projects
• Strong project management skills…