Chief External Relations Officer - External Affairs

University System of Georgia; Valdosta (GA); In loco; USD 120.000 - 170.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Valdosta State University invites applications for the Chief External Relations Officer (CERO), a senior leadership role overseeing government affairs, community relations, and external partnerships. The CERO reports to the President and advances priorities with policymakers, civic leaders, and regional partners to enhance the university’s public impact.

Ideal candidates bring strategic, diplomatic leadership, coalition-building, and policy insight to strengthen the university’s engagement with

Competenze

• Master's degree in a specified field and ten years of work experience, including at least seven years in a supervisory role.
• Terminal degree and/or professional licensure, certification, and/or designation may be required in some areas.

Mansioni

• Lead university external relations, government affairs, and external partnership strategy.
• Develop and execute strategic plans; ensure compliance with legislation and reporting.
• Provide executive leadership to department and supervise personnel.
• Represent the University to external stakeholders at events and committees.
• Develop and administer a substantial department budget.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations.
• Establish policies and procedures for the department or unit.

Conoscenze

Leadership

Department supervision

Budget management

Policy guidance

External relations

Formazione

Master's degree in a specified field

Descrizione del lavoro

Chief External Relations Officer - External Affairs

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity,andcitizenship.As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility- A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity- Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship- Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles ofCivility, Integrity,andCitizenship.

Job Summary

Responsible for developing and executing comprehensive plans and providing administrative leadership in support of the overall strategic direction for the University. This position will ensure compliance with legislation, legal requirements and government reporting, and record keeping regulations at the state, federal and local levels.

Responsibilities

Department Summary

Valdosta State University seeks an accomplished and relationship-driven Chief External Relations Officer (CERO) to lead the University's governmental affairs, legislative advocacy, community relations, and external partnership strategy. Reporting to the President and serving as a senior institutional leader, the CERO will advance VSU's priorities with elected officials, policymakers, civic leaders, regional partners, and other key stakeholders.

This is an opportunity for a strategic and diplomatic leader to strengthen VSU's public impact, connect institutional expertise with community needs, and position the University as an essential partner in the economic and social vitality of the region and state. The successful candidate will combine policy insight, political acumen, coalition-building ability, and sound executive judgment.

Leadership, direction, and supervision - 25%
Provide executive-level leadership and direction to other leaders within an area of the university. Assign, direct, and supervise the work of personnel.
Administration - 20%
Administer a major department, initiative, or unit with full authority of that area.
Subject-matter expert - 15%
Serve as subject-matter expert for a specific area for the university.
Department representative - 10%
Represent the University to external stakeholders at events and on various committees.
Manage budget - 10%
Develop, monitor, and administer a substantial budget of a department, initiative, or unit.
Compliance - 10%
Interact with federal, state, and local entities to ensure compliance with appropriate statutes and regulations.
Policy and Procedure - 10%
Establish and administer policies and procedures for department, initiative, or unit.

Required Qualifications

Required Experience
Master's degree in a specified field and ten years (10) years of work experience in a related field is required which at least seven (7) years must have been in a supervisory role. Terminal degree and/or professional licensure, certification, and/or designation may be required in some areas.

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect.These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

professional references with current contact information

documentation of academic credentials

employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask c andidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
• view social media outlets, and
• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
• reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check
• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• pre-employment drug testing
• confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation
• VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
  • USGEthics Policy
  • Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
  • Drug Free Workplace
  • Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Motor Vehicle Policy
  • Workers Compensation (new hires)
  • Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)
  • Job-specific training such as: FMLAand Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

• Position of Trust + Credit

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting our Benefits Team, in the Office of Human Resources at [e-mail] .

Valdosta State University may provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for select positions when consistent with institutional needs, University policy, and applicable law. Sponsorship is considered on a case-by-case basis and is not available for all positions. Applicants who anticipate requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future are encouraged to contact Human Resources early in the recruitment process with questions regarding sponsorship eligibility.

Clery Disclosure

The JeanneClery Campus Safety Act requires institutions of higher education to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR). The ASFSR includes crime statistics for the three previous calendar years of reported crimes that occurred on campus; in or on certain non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our institution; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and statistics. The ASFSR is published annually by October 1 and is available online at: https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/police/asfr-2026-ybl.pdf . You may request a paper copy of the report by emailing [e-mail] .