Community Relations Manager

Reporting to the Director of External Affairs , you'll execute the company's community engagement strategy while serving as the day-to-day liaison between client and the people, organizations, and leaders who help make Spartanburg County thrive. You'll cultivate trusted relationships with community leaders, oversee local philanthropic investments, coordinate impactful events, and ensure the company's commitment to Spartanburg County is demonstrated through authentic engagement.

Community Relations Manager
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Be the Face of One of the Region's Most Exciting Infrastructure Investments
Client is seeking a dynamic Community Relations Manager to become the company's trusted representative throughout Spartanburg County. This is more than a community engagement role—it's an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, strengthen local partnerships, and help shape how one of the region's most significant infrastructure organizations connects with the community.

As the company's primary local ambassador, you'll be visible at civic events, nonprofit initiatives, business organizations, schools, and community gatherings. You'll cultivate trusted relationships with community leaders, oversee local philanthropic investments, coordinate impactful events, and ensure the company's commitment to Spartanburg County is demonstrated through authentic engagement.

Reporting to the Director of External Affairs, you'll execute the company's community engagement strategy while serving as the day-to-day liaison between client and the people, organizations, and leaders who help make Spartanburg County thrive.

If you're passionate about community involvement, naturally build relationships, and enjoy representing an organization that is making a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll DoServe as Community Ambassador

• Represent the company throughout Spartanburg County as its primary community-facing representative.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with civic organizations, business leaders, nonprofit executives, educational institutions, faith-based organizations, and local government officials.
• Attend community meetings, Chamber of Commerce events, Rotary Club gatherings, neighborhood associations, and other civic functions.
• Develop long-term partnerships that strengthen the company's reputation and community presence.
• Respond to community inquiries, partnership opportunities, and stakeholder concerns while coordinating appropriate follow-up with internal leadership.

Lead Community Investment & Philanthropy

• Manage the company's local giving initiatives, including grants, sponsorships, charitable contributions, and community investment programs.
• Evaluate funding requests and identify opportunities that align with company priorities.
• Prepare grant applications, sponsorship proposals, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate donation presentations, partnership announcements, and community recognition events.
• Track budgets, commitments, approvals, and measurable community impact while maintaining accurate reporting and documentation.

Plan High-Impact Community Events

• Coordinate and execute community outreach events, volunteer activities, sponsorship activations, open houses, and public recognition programs.
• Manage all aspects of event planning, including venues, vendors, logistics, signage, branded materials, photography, media coordination, and attendee management.
• Partner with internal leadership to ensure executive participation and successful event execution.
• Maintain inventories of promotional materials and oversee the annual community events calendar.

Support Community Communications & Brand Reputation

• Monitor community feedback, emerging issues, and local opportunities while providing regular updates to the Director of External Affairs.
• Assist with community-focused communications for social media, newsletters, website content, and other external channels.
• Coordinate event photography and visual content that highlights the company's community involvement.
• Prepare briefing materials, research, and logistical support for executive participation in community engagements.

Maintain Program Administration

• Ensure timely completion of grant documentation, sponsorship agreements, regulatory filings, and community program records.
• Maintain organized databases of contacts, partnerships, event history, budgets, and philanthropic activities.
• Prepare reports summarizing community engagement activities, investment outcomes, and future priorities.

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of experience in Community Relations, Corporate Affairs, Public Affairs, Government Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility, or Civic Engagement.
• Previous experience representing a utility, energy company, major employer, infrastructure organization, or similarly complex enterprise is strongly preferred.
• Established relationships within Spartanburg County's civic, nonprofit, business, and governmental communities.
• Demonstrated success managing corporate philanthropy, community investment programs, grants, or sponsorship initiatives.
• Experience planning and executing public-facing events from concept through completion.
• Outstanding relationship-building, networking, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to prepare proposals, reports, presentations, and executive correspondence.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Comfortable serving as a highly visible public representative of the organization.
• Experience supporting social media, newsletters, websites, or other external communications is preferred.
• Familiarity with infrastructure, energy, environmental sustainability, or economic development initiatives is a plus.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business, Public Affairs, Marketing, or a related discipline.

This is a unique opportunity to become the public face of an organization making a long-term investment in Spartanburg County. You'll have the chance to build meaningful relationships, support impactful community initiatives, influence corporate philanthropy, and help create lasting partnerships that benefit both the company and the communities it serves.

If you enjoy connecting people, building trust, and making a visible difference in your community, this is the opportunity to do exactly that.