Manager - Strategic Partnerships and External Engagement (Office of the President)

Stephen F. Austin State University; Nacogdoches (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX seeks an executive leader to facilitate connections between regional governments and stakeholders as part of the Governmental Relations office.

The role acts as a primary liaison to the university, manages external partnerships, and assists the Director on legislative initiatives, with substantial autonomy. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree, master's preferred, and at least three years of experience working with government officials

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• Three years of related experience; direct government/agency experience required.
• Executive liaison responsibilities and stakeholder management are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develops, cultivates, and maintains strategic relationships with state and local government agencies and officials, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, foundations, industry partners, nonprofits, and other external stakeholders.
• Serves as the primary liaison between the university and external public and private sector entities.
• Identifies, evaluates, and pursues partnership opportunities supporting the university’s mission, programs, and goals.
• Monitors federal, state, and local legislative, regulatory, and funding developments affecting the university.
• Develops and maintains productive relationships with legislators, legislative staff, agency officials, and government stakeholders.
• Coordinates advocacy initiatives and outreach efforts that advance the university’s interests and priorities.
• Prepares briefing materials, presentations, talking points, and impact reports for elected officials and external stakeholders.
• Identifies funding opportunities from governmental agencies, foundations, corporations, and other external sources.
• Represents the university to external agencies and constituents at meetings at various levels.
• Assists the Director of Governmental Relations on legislative initiatives.

Skills

Public speaking

Relationship management

Policy analysis

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is an executive position responsible for facilitatingconnections between regional governments and stakeholders and SFAas part of the mission, goals, and functions of the university.Serves as a liaison to the university and manages externalrelationships and partnerships. Assists the Director ofGovernmental Relations on legislative initiatives. Works underminimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use ofinitiative and independent judgment. Reports to thePresident.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s degree is preferred.

Three years of related experience is required. Direct experienceworking with government officials and state agencies isrequired.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Develops, cultivates, and maintains strategic relationshipswith state and local government agencies and officials, economicdevelopment organizations, chambers of commerce, foundations,industry partners, nonprofit organizations, and other externalstakeholders.
2. Serves as the primary liaison between the university andexternal public and private sector entities.
3. Identifies, evaluates, and pursues partnership opportunitiesthat support the university’s mission, programs, and strategicgoals.
4. Monitors federal, state, and local legislative, regulators, andfunding developments affecting the university.
5. Develops and maintains productive relationships withlegislators, legislative staff, agency officials, and governmentstakeholders.
6. Coordinates advocacy initiatives and informational outreachefforts that advance the university’s interests and priorities,consistent with university policies and applicable laws.
7. Prepares briefing materials, presentations, talking points, andimpact reports for elected officials and externalstakeholders.
8. Identifies funding opportunities from governmental agencies,foundations, corporations, and other external sources.
9. Represents the university to external agencies andconstituents, including attendance at relevant local, regional,state, and national meetings.
10. Assists the Director of Governmental Relations on legislativeinitiatives.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. May be required to work overtime and to attend events beyondnormal workday.
2. Some travel will be required from Nacogdoches to Austin andother locations.
3. Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, andabilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individualcan perform the essential functions of the job, with or withoutreasonable accommodation.

1. Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, university policies andprocedures, organizational structure, and external constituentrelations.
2. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, statutes,regulations, codes and standards related to the area ofresponsibility.
3. Knowledge and understanding of higher education systems andstructures.
4. Organizational skill in managing projects simultaneously whilemaintaining a satisfactory work product.
5. Skill in public speaking and delivering presentations toindividuals and groups.
6. Skill in using computer applications including spreadsheet,database, and word processing software.
7. Ability to work effectively with internal and externalstakeholders, including legislators, dignitaries and their staff,delivering positive customer service experiences.
8. Ability to proactively identify potential challenges and makerecommendations to solve them.
9. Ability to develop and maintain effective interpersonal andcollaborative relationships.
10. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and writtenform.
11. Ability to set priorities and complete assignments ontime.
12. Ability to learn office and university-specific software.
13. Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends, asnecessary.
14. Ability and desire to promote a favorable image of theuniversity.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Safety Statement

Stephen F. Austin State University recognizes the potential foraccidents in performing job-related tasks. SFA promotes a safeworking environment. Employees will be responsible for completingassigned tasks safely and efficiently. Employee evaluations willinclude safe job performance.

This is a security-sensitive position subject to criminal recordcheck.

This is an IT-sensitive position subject to Computer and NetworkSecurity policy.