Director of Government Relations

Company Description:

Empire State College was established in 1971 by Dr. Ernest Boyer as a distinctive statewide institution focused on innovative and nontraditional teaching and learning.

The college continues its 51-year commitment experimenting with new, flexible, and individualized modes of learning through such practices as mentoring students throughout their academic studies, creating individualized degree plans, valuing learning gained from life and work experience, building professional and social student support communities and creating flexible modes of delivery to meet students' diverse learning preferences. The college now boast over 92,000 proud and successful alumni and partners with nearly 17,000 students a year who want to expand their personal and professional horizons.

Empire State College is a part of the SUNY System and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  With headquarters in Saratoga Springs, New York, ESC serves mostly working adults pursuing associate, bachelor's and master's degrees online and onsite at over 30 locations across the state of New York and abroad.

Empire State College is committed to creating a multi-cultural and inclusive academic and work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We are pleased to offer our employees a generous compensation and benefits package.

Job Description:

SUNY Empire State College seeks a director of government relations. Reporting directly to the chief of staff, the director serves as the college's chief governmental and legislative affairs officer and primary counsel to the president, chief of staff, and other senior administrators regarding governmental and legislative affairs. The ideal candidate will be a tireless advocate for SUNY Empire who will leverage their experience and skills to advance the mission of SUNY's only statewide institution.

SUNY Empire serves students in every community and legislative district in the State of New York. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced government relations professional committed to access, affordability, and innovation in public higher education.

The incumbent will serve as the official SUNY Empire point of contact for all government officials and their staff and promote SUNY Empire's priorities with local, state, and federal government officials, offices, and agencies. The individual will coordinate interactions with and visits from elected and government officials across the college; bring to the attention of the president and chief of staff opportunities for positive interaction with governmental officials at all levels (local, county, state, federal); assist the president and chief of staff in preparation for meetings with governmental leaders and elected officials; travel with the president and other college leaders to meetings with elected officials; and ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and SUNY policies related to intergovernmental relations and lobbying.

The position requires strong alignment with SUNY Empire's mission, values, and strategic vision, as well as demonstrated success working in a complex, fast-paced environment.

The director of government relations will:

• Develop and initiate strategies for managing local, state, and federal government relations and advocacy efforts on behalf of the college
• Analyze state and federal policy affecting higher education, distance learning, and adult and part-time learners, and work to change legislation that negatively impacts these student groups
• Represent the college to the local, state, and federal legislative and agency officials on legislative and regulatory matters
• Leverage the expertise of college stakeholders to enhance the college's position with government entities
• Collaborate with the State University of New York and other member institutions on development of advocacy plans
• Increase the college's involvement with national higher-education associations actively engaged in government relations
• Monitor state and federal legislative action
• Engage in government relations advocacy at local levels
• Collaborate with the Office of Communications and Marketing to develop and implement social media strategies to enhance government relations for the college
• Engage in press relations when needed in collaboration with the Office of Communications and Marketing at SUNY Empire
• Create a network among colleagues across the state to engage with local government officials
• Coordinate with and be the point of contact for the SUNY Office of Government Relations
• Maintain a record of official points of contact with federal, state, and local public officials
• Serve as the initial point of contact on questions from local, state, and federal government officials regarding matters of importance to constituents that involve SUNY Empire
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and SUNY Policy related to intergovernmental relations and lobbying

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in applicable area of study
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Experience engaging elected and appointed local, state, and federal decision makers
• Expertise in analyzing public policy, legislation, and state and federal finances affecting higher education
• Evidence of effective problem solving in politically challenging circumstances

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, public administration, higher-education policy, etc.)
• Experience working in or engaging with New York state and local governments
• A demonstrated interest in adult learners and nontraditional educational delivery methods
• Knowledge of the operation of the State University of New York system or similar public education system
• Experience with media relations
• Ability to work cooperatively and creatively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Special Information:

• Extensive in-state and out-of-state travel and some weekend and evening hours anticipated.
• The successful candidate must register as a lobbyist.

Additional Information:

Rank/Salary: Management Confidential/$80,000+ commensurate with experience.

Empire State College is an EOE employer.

IF YOU NEED A DISABILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL THE ADA COORDINATOR AT (518) 587-2100, ext. 2240. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TITLE II CRIME AWARENESS AND SECURITY ACT, A COPY OF OUR CRIME STATISTICS IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST BY CALLING (518) 587-2100, ext. 2800. IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED ON-LINE AT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY WEBSITE AT http://www.esc.edu/safety-security

Application Instructions:

Applications Due By: Applications accepted until position is filled.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit the following documents, which are required for consideration by clicking on the APPLY NOW button:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Name and contact information of three references

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