External Affairs Coordinator

Job Title: External Affairs Coordinator

Posting Date: November 2026

Job Department: External Affairs

Schedule: Full Time

Job Type: On-site/Hybrid

Location: Candler 111 Market Pl Suite 800 Baltimore MD 21202

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Aquarium seeks an External Affairs Coordinator to support its government and external affairs work. The coordinator manages relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, their staff, and government agencies to advance public funding, lobbying, and advocacy goals. The role coordinates activities to achieve annual public fundraising goals exceeding $1 million and provides timely, high-quality oversight of daily government affairs activities and initiatives. Responsibilities include coordinating action items, overseeing project plans, and maintaining task lists and calendars for the CEO and senior staff. The coordinator also manages the preparation and distribution of government affairs correspondence, publications, and other written materials, including call memos, draft letters, and contact reports, and contributes to strategy development and thorough, high-quality implementation.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Essential responsibilities include:

• Coordinates Government Affairs public funding calendar and supports execution of public funding requests.
• Organize scheduling, tracking, and maintenance of local, state, and federal capital and operating grant requests.
• Schedule meetings with elected officials, government agencies, community stakeholders, and Aquarium partners.
• Create materials for government affairs meetings and solicitations, including presentations, proposals, reports, and letters, working with colleagues across the organization to as necessary to gather materials and information.
• Manage arrangements for government affairs meetings, tours and events as necessary, including reserving space, and coordinating catering, materials and logistics. Greet guests, join visits and serve as primary tour guide when necessary.
• Manage the logistics of external conferences and coordinates legislative tours and events.
• Manage the logistics of VIP tours and on-site meetings with elected officials, staffs, and government agencies.
• Manage the logistical aspects of Legislative Family Night: organize invitations and mailings to city, state and federal officials, track responses and attendance, arrange for location set-up and assist with staffing of the event.
• Coordinate the logistics of Aquarium engagement in Maryland Association of Counties annual conference and similar industry- and region- specific groups.
• Provide project management support to the Vice President of External Affairs and Director of Government Affairs.
• Responsible for project managing all Government Affairs and external cultivation meetings, including research, planning, and preparation.
• Provides support for meetings and conferences, including arranging for conference rooms, supplies, meals, and collecting, copying and assembling materials.
• Composes, edits and proofreads correspondence for information packet cover letters.
• Takes impeccable, accurate meeting minutes.
• Prepares monthly expense reports. Processes monthly purchases and expenditures for the External Affairs team.
• Coordinates correspondence with elected officials.
• Answers phones and keeps accurate phone logs for follow-up.
• Integrates calendars with Office of the CEO, Leadership Team and other key staff and uses keen judgment in prioritizing requests. Prepares purchase orders, invoices and maintains budget records.
• Responsible for solving problems related to coordinating event, including troubleshooting and solving time management concerns and inter-departmental dynamics. May be faced with communication and business etiquette issues when interacting with Board members, legislative representatives, and other high profile members of the community. Will also resolve issues regarding the administration of the Donation and Cultivation programs.
• Successful management of daily interactions with external entities that include legislative and community representatives, board members, Aquarium executives, employees and volunteers.
• Accountable for duties related to participation in events and meetings related to Community Affairs or Government Relations. Accountable for successful coordination of Donation, Speaker's Bureau, and Cultivation programs.
• Support company mission.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2-3 years of experience in development, government relations, cultivation, outreach, marketing or other related field required. Related college degree or coursework preferred.
• Must have significant special event planning experience at the organizational level.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board members, external partners and donors
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of customer/client service and response
• Forward looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions
• Highly developed technical skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point.)

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Salary range ($43,900-51,099). National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, and six paid floating holidays and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium’s mission - to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet - begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals - to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.