Director of Public Engagement & Outreach

Job Title: Director of Public Engagement & Outreach

Department: Public Affairs

Reports to: Chief Legal Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Date Revised: May 2026

The Director of Public Engagement & Outreach is tasked with providing strategic leadership for LOPA’s outreach and community engagement initiatives throughout the state, centered on the vital mission of organ, tissue, and eye donation. Holding primary accountability for the impact and performance of these efforts, the Director designs and implements a comprehensive strategy aimed at bolstering public support and increasing life‑saving donor registrations.

This leadership role focuses on advancing public understanding of donation through high‑level strategic planning and statewide execution.

Overseeing a team of Public Engagement Specialists, the Director ensures high‑quality outreach that prioritizes donor registration and elevates LOPA’s presence through strategic partnerships, media relations and public affairs alignment. This role moves beyond general engagement to build the systems and visibility required to influence public perception, maximize donation potential, and drive measurable mission impact across Louisiana.

• Develop and lead a statewide public engagement and outreach strategy aligned with organizational goals and growth targets
• Establish clear priorities, target audiences, and engagement models that enhance public awareness, increase community support and drive donor registration based upon cultural and community dynamics
• Design and implement scalable programs that integrate donation awareness, health education, and prevention messaging
• Collaborate with peer leaders across the organization to shape and align engagement initiatives with enterprise priorities, ensuring outreach strategies are integrated, consistent, and impactful
• Translate organizational strategy into actionable outreach plans for regional execution

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Public Engagement Specialists (Level I & II)
• Establish performance expectations tied to outcomes (e.g., engagement quality, relationship depth, registration impact)
• Provide ongoing feedback, mentorship, and professional development opportunities
• Ensure consistency in messaging, presentation quality, and community engagement standards across regions

• Establish and oversee high‑impact community engagement efforts, ensuring alignment with LOPA’s mission and brand
• Identify and prioritize key communities, organizations, and stakeholder groups for strategic outreach
• Guide the development of regional engagement plans that deepen relationships and expand reach
• Partner with peer leaders to evaluate and refine engagement approaches based on community feedback and performance data

• Oversee and support LOPA’s media engagement strategy, including intake, evaluation, and guidance for participation in media opportunities
• Partner with Communications and Marketing to ensure consistent messaging, brand alignment, and high‑quality execution across all media engagements
• Partner closely with other internal leaders to align engagement and outreach with media, messaging, organizational and brand strategy
• Influence cross‑functional initiatives by providing community insights, stakeholder perspectives, and engagement expertise
• Ensure field insights inform organizational messaging, positioning, and decision‑making
• Support and guide participation in public awareness campaigns and community storytelling
• Strengthen LOPA’s visibility and credibility through coordinated external engagement efforts

• Work in partnership with internal leaders to identify and advance strategic opportunities that elevate LOPA’s presence and community impact
• Serve as a connector between internal strategy and external execution, ensuring alignment across teams and initiatives
• Establish and maintain high‑level relationships with community leaders, healthcare partners, advocacy groups, and civic organizations
• Represent LOPA in…