Assistant Vice Chancellor for Local Government and Community Engagement

Job Summary

The Assistant Vice Chancellor (AVC) for Local Government and Community Engagement reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Resources and Support and is responsible for identifying opportunities for collaboration with and facilitation of long-term positive relationships with the City of Boulder and surrounding communities. The AVC is wholly responsible for managing and developing relationships with local governments, business, economic development, and chamber groups, and community groups in order to advance CU Boulder’s image and reputation, build awareness about its value to these entities and generate support for policy issues of importance to the university. The AVC will be a key player in the small but collaborative Office of Government and Community Engagement that provides a bridge between campus stakeholders and external partners in support of the university’s mission.

The AVC serves as the campus’s primary liaison to the Boulder City Council, Boulder City manager, and Boulder County Commissioners, and works to ensure all connection points between the campus and the City of Boulder and County of Boulder are coordinated. The AVC is also the Campus’s principal liaison with the business and nonprofit communities and works to emphasize CU Boulder’s role and improve its reputation in contributing to the Boulder area’s economy, quality of life, workforce development and diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Finally, the AVC will work with the AVC for Public Policy and Advocacy to seek to build relationships and identify opportunities in surrounding municipalities such as Longmont, Louisville, and Broomfield.

The AVC provides counsel to the Chancellor, Provost, and COO on key initiatives and opportunities for the university to engage with local and community entities and external partners to identify new revenue sources and opportunities for growth to support the mission of the university. The AVC works with the various colleges and departments throughout the campus to create a coordinated outreach strategy and goals for the campus, providing supporting materials, data collection, and follow-up as appropriate. He/she also works to coordinate and support campus units in their initiatives, projects, and joint ventures with local and community entities.

Advancing external relations for the university, consistent with the Chancellor's top goals, requires strategic outreach to stakeholders, partners, and potential partners supported by a coordinated media and communications strategy. The AVC for Local Government and Community Engagement will develop a multi-year strategy to achieve these goals in collaboration with the AVC for Public Policy and Advocacy and the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications. The AVC will work closely with the AVC of Public Policy and Advocacy to also ensure an integrated local, state, and federal engagement and communications strategy.

The AVC position requires strategic vision, sensitivity to internal and external political issues, skill in engaging a variety of entities, a local government relations background, and skills in negotiation, communication, decision-making, motivation, and leadership, particularly in areas where no lines of authority exist. A sound understanding of the university and its academic environment is also necessary.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

Strategic Resources and Support oversees the University of Colorado Boulder’s administrative, business, operational, and finance teams, working to enhance and support the university’s academic and research missions and to provide students, faculty, and staff with a COVID-19-ready campus.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Define and implement a local government and community engagement strategy and goals, and methods to achieve and measure them, through a collaborative process with campus leaders.
• Work directly with campus leaders to gain their regular input on the strategy, develop key figures, identify support needs, and provide regular updates on progress. Ensure alignment with campus priorities and strategic direction through engagement with Cabinet.
• Build robust relationships with the City Council, City Manager, Boulder County officials, the Boulder Chamber, economic development and chamber groups, community groups, and surrounding municipalities to achieve the above goals.
• Work with campus partners involved in community collaborations to ensure a coordinated cohesive approach to local community engagement. Work with the AVC of Public Policy and Advocacy to ensure an integrated approach to state, local, and federal engagement with external and government entities.
• Work with the Strategic Communications and Relations teams and others on messaging campaigns/initiatives to assist in educating external organizations and government agencies about the value and reputation of CU Boulder as a flagship public research university.

What We Can Offer

The hiring range is $141,000.00-$180,000.00.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

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Be Authentic. Be Pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A Master's degree or JD or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of increasing level of senior management of a major component of a large organization, managing state, federal, or local relations, and working with higher education or a related non-profit organization.

What You Will Need

• Strong familiarity with the local government structure – as well as university challenges and opportunities.
• Solid understanding of local and state and federal funding channels/mechanisms for the university.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communications, and negotiating skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours which may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, and weekends.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Masters in a related field.
• Extensive experience within or working with higher education.
• Experience representing senior policy-makers or managers with external partner entities.
• Familiarity with state and federal funding issues currently facing research universities.
• 10+ years of experience in the following:
• Increasing level of senior management of a major component of a large organization.
• Managing state, federal, or local relations.
• Working with higher education or a related non-profit organization.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by 5/9/2021 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: recruiting@colorado.edu