External Affairs Associate

Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy

External Affairs Associate supporting community engagement initiatives at Kinder Institute for Urban Research. Coordinating outreach activities and enhancing stakeholder engagement in the Greater Houston region.

Posted 7/24/2026full-timeHouston • Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $57,000 - $60,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strong capabilities in community engagement, stakeholder coordination, and event planning, with proficiency in communication and marketing tools. Expertise in managing logistics and maintaining organized records in a fast-paced environment is essential.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Community EngagementEvent PlanningAdobe Creative SuiteMicrosoft OfficeStakeholder Coordination

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Community EngagementEvent PlanningVendor ManagementMarketing Collateral PreparationLogistics Coordination

Soft Skills

Strong Written CommunicationStrong Verbal CommunicationOrganizational SkillsCollaborationInterpersonal Skills

Tools & Technologies

Adobe Creative SuiteMicrosoft OfficeCollaborative Project ToolsCRM SystemsStakeholder Tracking Systems

Industry Keywords

Public AffairsNonprofit ManagementCivic PartnershipsUrban StudiesSociology

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Assist with outreach to community organizations, civic groups, and partner institutions; help maintain stakeholder lists, engagement calendars, and activity records
Support planning, logistics, and onsite coordination for community meetings, stakeholder forums, workshops, and ‑public facing‑ events.
Assist in vendor management on specific projects
Coordinate with research center teams to align engagement activities with ongoing projects and community priorities
Provide scheduling, create and design presentations, and operational support for external affairs
Recommend marketing opportunities and track market trends
Perform all other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in communication, public affairs, sociology, urban studies, nonprofit management, or a related field.
In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on a year-for-year basis, may be substituted
One or more (1+) years of related experience
Demonstrated interest in community engagement, public service, or civic partnerships
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare marketing collateral and presentations. Expertise with Adobe Creative Suite
Ability to manage multiple tasks, coordinate logistics, and maintain organized records.
Comfort working with different communities and stakeholders
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaborative project tools; familiarity with CRM or stakeholder tracking systems is a plus; and expertise‑ with Adobe Creative Suite
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast paced, ‑mission driven‑ environment

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible work arrangements
Professional development opportunities