Higher Ed Government Relations & Policy Coordinator

Binghamton University, State University of New York; City of Binghamton (NY); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Binghamton University is seeking a Senior Staff Assistant to support the President's Office, focusing on higher education policy and state government relations. The role requires strong writing, communications, and project management to track developments and brief campus stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will coordinate SUNY and campus administrative tasks, plan events, build relationships with officials and campus partners, and work flexible hours, including nights and travel to Albany as

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; 2+ years in higher education or government roles.
• Knowledge of the state legislative process.
• Strong written and oral communication and briefing skills.
• Proven project management and organizational abilities.
• Ability to build relationships with campus colleagues and officials.
• Experience coordinating events and managing information.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chief of Staff and Director of Government Relations with state policy work.
• Track, monitor and summarize developments in state education policy for staff.
• Research issues and share campus impacts with staff and stakeholders.
• Manage SUNY and campus administrative tasks and coordinate events for leadership.
• Demonstrate project management and stakeholder relations across campus and beyond.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Relationship building

Independent work

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Category:: Professional
Subscribe::
Department:: President's Office
Locations:: Binghamton, NY
Posted:: Aug 25, 2026
Closes:: Open Until Filled
Type:: Full-time
Ref. No.:: 09713
Position ID:: 204007
About Binghamton University:

Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.

Working at Binghamton University is more than about having a great job - it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.

Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty who value cutting-edge, and community-engaged research, teaching and service, exceptional staff, and ultramodern facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000+ students. Our high-achieving student body represents diverse experiences from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration, and community service.

We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and in keeping with this commitment, we welcome all to apply, including veterans and persons with disabilities.

Job Description:

Budget Title: Senior Staff Assistant (SL-3)

Salary: $70,000

Binghamton University seeks a team-oriented individual to join the President's Office staff. We are looking for an individual with effective communication, writing and organizational skills, who has experience with higher ed and/or government operations at the state and local level. This individual will assist the chief of staff and director of government relations with work involving state policies and practices impacting higher education. In this capacity, the individual must be able to track, monitor and summarize key developments in state education policy development and be able to research issues and share with staff the potential impacts to campus. The ideal candidate will have experience working in higher education and have interacted with government entities or have worked at the state or local government level dealing with higher education-related issues.

As part of their administrative responsibilities, the successful candidate must also be able to be able to manage SUNY and campus administrative tasks as well as have event planning related responsibilities in order to assist both the Chief of Staff and Commencement & Events Director. The individual should be able to demonstrate a successful track record for project management, building relationships, effective analytical skills and be able to communicate with a range of constituencies both on campus and beyond.

This is an in-person position. At times will work non-traditional hours including nights and weekend. Some travel is required, mostly to Albany.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• At least 2 years of experience in higher education or at some level of state or federal government
• Knowledge of the state legislative process
• Proficiency with technology and ability to utilize technology to manage projects and information
• Demonstrated successful project management skills
• Proven track record of managing information, people and/or events
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Experience attending official/informational meetings and demonstrated ability to prepare briefing materials
• Ability to easily build relationships with on-campus colleagues, elected officials and members of their staff, as well as federal agency personnel
• Ability work independently, as well as in a team, and willing to take on responsibilities in support of the campus

Preferred:

• Master's degree in a related field

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E-Verify employer.

Additional Information:

Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials

Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at [phone] or via email at [e-mail]

Payroll information can be found on our website https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/payroll/

Cover letters may be addressed "To the Search Committee."

Postings active on the website, accept applications until closure.

For information on the Dual Career Program, please visit:
https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/prospective/dual-career/index.html

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be found here.

Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

Application Instructions:

All applicants must apply via Interview Exchange: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=204007

Deadline for Internal Applicants: September 9, 2026

Deadline for External Applicants: Open until filled

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.

Please submit:

1. Resume,
2. Cover letter, and
3. Contact information for three professional references

You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp.