Chief External Relations Officer at Texas CASA Austin, TX

Chief External Relations Officer – Texas CASA, Austin, TX

Texas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is part of a national volunteer movement that began in 1977 in Seattle when a juvenile court judge conceived the idea of citizen volunteers speaking up for the best interests of children who are in foster care due to allegations of abuse or neglect. Today, the CASA movement has evolved into one of the largest volunteer organizations in the country.

Judges appoint CASA volunteers to advocate for children in court, school and other settings with the goal of reuniting children with their families. Collectively, the local CASA programs in Texas serve the majority of Texas’ 254 counties.

As integral members of their respective communities, they recruit, train, supervise and support court-appointed volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children. Local programs also coordinate and collaborate with other service providers who share the mission of supporting Texas families.

Established in 1989, Texas CASA is the statewide membership association for all local CASA programs.

To provide strategic leadership for Texas CASA’s internal and external communications, fund development, legislative and public policy advocacy efforts. This position directs the development of legislative advocacy work and other policy efforts in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, cultivates the organization's relationship with the judiciary, state agencies, foundations, donors and the media, and aims to broaden the impact of Texas CASA and statewide network of CASA programs.

The Chief External Relations Officer provides guidance on policy development, government relations, communications and fundraising. This position oversees the Public Policy team, including events and collaborative partnerships to advance systemic reforms of the child protection system. This position also oversees the work of the Communications Team and the Fund Development Team.

• Increase the awareness and positive perceptions of Texas CASA and the goal of a CASA for every child who needs one.
• Manage, lead and mentor the Communications, Public Policy and Fund Development teams.
• Position Texas CASA as a premier child advocacy policy organization and resource on child protection and foster care to external stakeholders, policy makers, foundations, donors and the media.
• Serve as a resource for local programs on issues related to public policy, communications and fund development.
• Advance internal communications strategy to strengthen engagement, transparency, and collaboration across the Texas CASA network.
• Ensure timely, consistent, and accessible communication with staff, board members, and the 74 local CASA programs; aligning messaging between departments; and fostering a culture of clarity and connection that supports organizational effectiveness and staff empowerment.
• Support the development of policy and legislation to improve the child welfare system.
• Oversee and support advocacy for increased legislative appropriations, including preparation and development of information for state agencies, the Texas legislature, and the public.
• Identify, develop and maintain relationships with the judiciary, legislators, state agency leaders, foundations, donors and other key stakeholders and partners.
• Produce and edit op-eds, editorials and news releases.
• Provide crisis communications support to local programs.
• Lead the creation of a cohesive and innovative external affairs strategy to strengthen and leverage the CASA and Texas CASA brands.
• Possess viable contacts with statewide media outlets.
• Train and equip local programs to work with their local media.
• Oversee the Texas CASA fund development plan to increase private sector funding.
• Cultivate current and new donor relationships.
• Provide and ensure high customer relations standards.
• Provide assistance to appropriate board committees assigned by the CEO.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Five years experience with editorial creation and production.
• Experience with media relations and crisis communications strategies.
• Five years full-time leadership experience,…