Director Government Affairs

Dallas College; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Dallas College seeks a Director of Government Affairs to advance our legislative, regulatory, and public policy priorities at federal, state, and local levels. The role leads strategy, coordinates advocacy with officials, and represents the college in external forums to align priorities with institutional goals.

The position requires deep knowledge of public policy processes, excellent communication, and the ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders within higher education and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Government, Communications, Higher Education, or a related field.
• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, public affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, or related field.
• Experience working with underserved and marginalized communities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students from diverse populations.
• Experience developing and implementing programs, services, and/or courses to meet the needs of a diverse college community.
• Experience developing and managing relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Dallas College’s government affairs strategy and legislative priorities.
• Develop recommendations regarding policy positions, advocacy efforts, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Coordinate internal efforts related to legislative and regulatory matters affecting the institution.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Represent Dallas College in meetings, legislative and regulatory matters affecting the institution.
• Coordinate advocacy efforts with external consultants, lobbyists, and partner organizations.
• Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory and political developments at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Assess potential impacts on institutional operations, funding, workforce initiatives, and student success priorities.
• Develop recommendations and response strategies regarding policy opportunities, risks, and emerging issues.
• Prepare executive-level reports and presentations summarizing legislative and regulatory activity.
• Partner with college leadership, communications, workforce development, community relations, and other internal stakeholders to advance institutional priorities.
• Ensure consistent messaging and coordinated engagement with governmental partners.
• Support development and execution of legislative agendas and advocacy campaigns.
• Required Dallas College Professional Development Hours per Academic Year. (MUST BE INCLUDED)
• All employees are required to complete a minimum of 19 hours.
• People leaders are required an additional 16 hours of leadership development.
• Perform other duties not listed as assigned. (MUST BE INCLUDED)

Skills

Public policy

Legislation tracking

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy

Experience in higher education

Job description

Weekly Work Hours

40

Compensation Range

Administrator Range E06

FLSA

United States of America (Exempt)

Work Location

• All positions are considered on-site roles.
• After six months of employment, some positions may be eligible to apply for a hybrid work arrangement based on job responsibilities, operational needs, supervisor approval, and Dallas College policy.
• Academic (Faculty) positions require an on-campus presence, even when teaching online courses, in accordance with state law.

Position Type

Administrator

Job Summary

The Director of Government Affairs advances Dallas College’s legislative, regulatory, and public policy priorities at the federal, state, and local levels. This position serves as a key leader in the development and execution of government affairs initiatives that support the institution’s strategic goals. The Director monitors legislative and policy developments, cultivates relationships with elected officials and governmental stakeholders, and provides strategic guidance to institutional leadership regarding public policy issues affecting higher education, workforce development, and economic mobility. This role represents Dallas College in external forums and collaborates across the institution to ensure alignment of advocacy efforts with organizational priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Dallas College’s government affairs strategy and legislative priorities.
• Develop recommendations regarding policy positions, advocacy efforts, and stakeholder engagement strategies
• Coordinate internal efforts related to legislative and regulatory matters affecting the institution
• Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, government agencies, and community stakeholders
• Represent Dallas College in meetings, legislative and regulatory matters affecting the institution
• Coordinate advocacy efforts with external consultants, lobbyists, and partner organizations
• Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory and political developments at the federal, state, and local levels
• Assess potential impacts on institutional operations, funding, workforce initiatives, and student success priorities.
• Develop recommendations and response strategies regarding policy opportunities, risks, and emerging issues
• Prepare executive-level reports and presentations summarizing legislative and regulatory activity.
• Partner with college leadership, communications, workforce development, community relations, and other internal stakeholders to advance institutional priorities.
• Ensure consistent messaging and coordinated engagement with governmental partners.
• Support development and execution of legislative agendas and advocacy campaigns
  • Required Dallas College Professional Development Hours per Academic Year. (MUST BE INCLUDED)
• All employees are required to complete a minimum of 19 hours.
• People leaders are required an additional 16 hours of leadership development.
• Perform other duties not listed as assigned. (MUST BE INCLUDED)

The following duties are required for People Leader roles specifically:

• Exercises full discretion and decision-making authority in the recruitment, selection, hiring, mentoring, coaching, development & termination of staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, budgetary constraints, and workforce planning strategies.
• Drive high performance by administering the performance management process timely, setting clear expectations, conducting performance evaluations, and implementing initiatives that enhance employee engagement, motivation, and retention

Required Qualifications for Role

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Government, Communications, Higher Education, or a related field
• Eight (8) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, public affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, or related field.
• School/Education Transcripts
• SB17 Specific Language (if applicable)
• Experience working with underserved and marginalized communities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students from the full range of diverse populations.
• Demonstrated success working with diverse communities.
• Experience developing and implementing [programs, services, and/or courses] that are designed to meet the needs of the increasingly diverse college community.
• EO Specific Language (IT specific) - Ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure of Dallas College.

Other Preferred Qualifications For Role

• Experience developing and managing relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Experience analyzing legislation and developing policy recommendations

*** Will be subject to a criminal background check. Some positions may be subject to a fingerprint check. ***

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Required Qualifications for Role (necessary or mandatory)

• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory processes
• Strong understanding of public policy development and governmental decision-making
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build consensus among diverse stakeholders
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation communication skills
• Ability to synthesize complex legislative and policy information into actionable recommendations

Other Preferred Qualifications For Role (not Mandatory, But Advantageous)

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Preferred

Competencies

• Accountable
• Communicates Effectively
• Solution OrIented
• Collaborates

Work Condition Environment / Physical Requirements

• Regular travel throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region
• Frequent travel to Austin during legislative sessions and periodic travel to Washington, D.C.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to support legislative activities, events, and stakeholder engagement.

Normal physical job functions performed within a standard office environment. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

About Us

Since 1965, Dallas College, formerly Dallas County Community College District, has served more than three (3) million students. Comprising seven campuses located around the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we are one of the largest community college systems in the state of Texas. We strive to be a leader in the community college space, placing students at the center of everything we do.

Applications Deadline

October 6, 2026