Public Affairs Manager

Bentley University; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 78,505 - 131,395; Full time

Job summary

Bentley University in Waltham, MA is seeking a Public Affairs Manager to lead government relations, community engagement, and regional partnerships. You will build relationships with elected officials, business groups and civic partners, develop advocacy strategies, coordinate outreach, and support public-facing communications.

The role reports to the AVP Strategic Communications and collaborates with campus leaders to advance university priorities. Salary Range: $78,505 - $131,395.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of related professional experience.
• Strong relationship building skills and comfort interacting with diverse stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of legislative processes and community dynamics.
• Excellent writing, research and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and work collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining relationships with local, state and federal elected officials and government agencies.
• Monitor legislative activity, regulatory changes, and policy trends; prepare summaries and briefings for internal stakeholders; attend meetings and events as necessary.
• Coordinate logistics for legislative meetings, campus visits, advocacy days and policy-related events.
• Draft correspondence, briefing materials and talking points for government engagement.
• Build and maintain working relationships with community groups, neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations and civic leaders.
• Represent the university at community meetings and events as appropriate.
• Identify and support community engagement initiatives that align with university priorities and local needs.
• Manage community concerns and opportunities and communicate them to the vice president and campus leadership.
• Engage university neighbors with regular updates and information about the university to keep them informed.
• Support outreach to local chambers of commerce, industry associations and regional employers.
• Represent the university at business community events and regional economic development meetings when appropriate.
• Draft public affairs content including talking points, stakeholder updates, newsletters, and web content, as needed.
• Create an annual economic impact report that explains the value of the university to the local community.
• Provide research, coordination and communication support during issues management or crisis situations.
• Help maintain preparedness plans and stakeholder contact lists.
• Maintain databases of government, community and business contacts.
• Track outreach activities, meetings and follow-up actions.
• Support budget tracking, consultant coordination and project management for public affairs initiatives.

Skills

Relationship building

Written communication

Research

Project management

Public affairs

Education

Bachelor's degree

Public policy, political science or communications

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Public Affairs Manager supports the university’s government relations, community engagement and external partnership efforts. This role helps build and maintain relationships with elected officials, community organizations, business groups, and civic partners. The manager assists in developing advocacy strategies, coordinating outreach activities, monitoring policy developments, and supporting public-facing communications. The position reports to the Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Vice President for Marketing and Communications / Chief Public Affairs Officer, working closely with the Vice President and other campus partners to advance the university’s priorities and strengthen its local and regional presence.

Essential Duties

Government Relations Support

• Assist in maintaining relationships with local, state and federal elected officials and government agencies.
• Monitor legislative activity, regulatory changes, and policy trends; prepare summaries and briefings for internal stakeholders; attend meetings and events at city hall and the State House, as necessary.
• Coordinate logistics for legislative meetings, campus visits, advocacy days and policy-related events.
• Draft correspondence, briefing materials and talking points for government engagement.

Community & Civic Engagement

• Build and maintain working relationships with community groups, neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations and civic leaders.
• Represent the university at community meetings and events as appropriate.
• Identify and support community engagement initiatives that align with university priorities and local needs.
• Manage community concerns and opportunities and communicate them to the vice president and campus leadership.
• Engage university neighbors with regular updates and information about the university to keep them informed.

Business & Organizational Partnerships

• Support outreach to local chambers of commerce, industry associations and regional employers.
• Represent the university at business community events and regional economic development meetings when appropriate.

Public Affairs Communications

• Draft public affairs content including talking points, stakeholder updates, newsletters, and web content, as needed.
• Create an annual economic impact report that explains the value of the university to the local community.
• Provide research, coordination and communication support during issues management or crisis situations.
• Help maintain preparedness plans and stakeholder contact lists.

Administrative & Coordination Duties

• Maintain databases of government, community and business contacts.
• Track outreach activities, meetings and follow-up actions.
• Support budget tracking, consultant coordination and project management for public affairs initiatives.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of related professional experience.
• Strong relationship building skills and comfort interacting with diverse stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of legislative processes and community dynamics.
• Excellent writing, research and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and work collaboratively.
• Experience representing an organization in public or policy settings is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, communications or public administration.
• 3–5 years of experience in government relations, community engagement or public affairs.

Work Environment

• Typical office setting with extensive computer work.
• Ability to travel to various sites and locations around campus.

Pay Transparency

• Salary Grade Range: $78,505 - $131,395.
• This range is based on market data and the scope of responsibilities; final pay will depend on your experience, education, and other relevant qualifications.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community. Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.