JOB OPENING: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COORDINATOR


Job Title:             External Affairs Coordinator
Reports to:          Executive Director
Status:                 Full time
Location:             Anchorage, Alaska

Why Join RDC: This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the center of Alaska’s resource development community, engaging regularly with industry executives, policymakers, and community leaders across the state. The role provides meaningful exposure to legislative and regulatory processes, public affairs strategy, and statewide economic development initiatives. Team members gain hands-on experience influencing communications and policy discussions that shape Alaska’s future, while building a professional network that spans business, government, and nonprofit sectors. RDC supports professional growth and provides clear pathways for advancement within the organization.

Job Description: The External Affairs Coordinator provides day-to-day execution, coordination, and communications support for RDC’s external affairs, government relations, and stakeholder engagement activities, including outreach programs to the public and resource development community in support of the Resource Development Council for Alaska’s (RDC) mission of growing Alaska through responsible resource development for the oil and gas, mining, fishing, timber, and tourism industries.

Basic Qualifications: Must have strong organization skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to work under deadlines, multitask and problem solve; firm understanding of social media platforms, computer software proficiency; ability to work well with staff, volunteers, and members. Knowledge of Alaska’s resources industries operations preferred.

Education and Experience Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in related fields of political science, public policy, law, natural resources, communications, or related discipline preferred, or equivalent work experience. Advanced degree in public policy or communications a plus.
  • Experience working with business community and understanding member associations preferred.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of legislative and regulatory governmental processes required.
  • Experience in legislative or administrative government institutions, campaign work, or government relations in private industry preferred.
  • Minimum 3 years working experience preferred.
  • RDC values continuity in this role and a two-year commitment is preferred to allow for meaningful project ownership and professional growth.

Essential Job Duties:

  • While maintaining consistency of key messaging, develop and plan regular content for social media platforms and website content, in collaboration with the Executive Director.
  • Support and attend association government affairs program events, occasionally functioning as a liaison for the organization.
  • Provide communications and coordination support for statewide events and assist with event execution. Most events occur in Anchorage, but occasional travel is necessary to Juneau, Fairbanks, Kenai, and other statewide locations.
  • Coordinate with the Executive Director and Membership & Events Manager to draft regular communication to members about events, policy updates, general news, member info and programs.
    • Provide research and writing support to the Executive Director on issues relevant to the association’s government affairs including, but not limited to, tracking legislation, regulations, drafting testimony and comment letters, editorial pieces, and surveys.
    • Assist with editing information before distribution and perform editorial quality control for good grammar, punctuation, visual appearance, and style consistency.
    • Provide day-to-day coordination and guidance for interns or fellows, including assigning tasks, reviewing work products, and supporting onboarding.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

  • Effective communication and public relations skills. Experience drafting newsletters, social posts, or press releases. Ability to manage content calendars and digital publishing tools. Basic graphic design familiarity preferred.
  • Must stay up to date with current events; ability to read, analyze, and interpret general news and business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures/reports/documents, or governmental regulations and legislation; to write content, reports, and other correspondence in a way that is accessible to a wide audience. Must stay apprised of other association events and external communications.
    • Skilled in establishing and maintaining cooperation, understanding, trust and credibility with members.
    • Excellent organization skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines and publishing schedules.
    • Highly collaborative and able to work in high-pressure situations with tight deadlines and minimal oversight. An independent work ethic is key.
    • Ability to use creativity and innovation to develop and implement action plans to solve complex problems related to key duties.
    • Advanced ability to operate computers and relevant software programs; can demonstrate the ability to quickly self-learn workplace software and applications such as MemberClicks, Adobe Creative Suite (or equivalent), Zoom (or equivalent), Microsoft Office, and basic familiarity of web development using applications.
    • Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings; contribute to maintaining the office in a professional and orderly manner. Assist with light administrative coordination and office management as needed.
    • Maintain awareness and understanding of all RDC events and programs.
    • Provide support to Executive Director as needed, including preparing reports and participating in board meetings.
    • Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

  • Work environment is a typical office work environment with approximately 80% indoors, 20% outdoors (varying conditions of driving and walking), sitting, seeing, speaking, hearing, manual dexterity, and ability to lift 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
  • Must be able to travel for the position at least 2-3 times per year.
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends during critical work periods typically around major RDC events and policy engagements.

Salary and Benefits:

  • The anticipated salary range for this position is $65,000 - $90,000. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will depend on multiple factors, including the successful candidates’ skills, experience, and other qualifications. In addition to base salary, performance and other discretionary bonuses may be available.
  • RDC provides excellent benefits including generous leave policies based on years of service; employer-covered health and dental insurance premiums, vision benefits; and 401(k) employer match upon completion of eligibility period.
  • This position has the opportunity for upward career movement through Executive Affairs Manager and beyond to Deputy Director of the organization. Performance metrics and advancement pathways will be established during onboarding.

HOW TO APPLY: SUBMIT A RESUME, COVER LETTER, REFERENCES AND WRITING SAMPLE VIA EMAIL TO [email protected]

POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED