Senior External Relations Lead, Higher Education Policy

State Council of Higher Educ; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) is seeking an Assistant Director of External Relations to lead engagement with the General Assembly, agencies, and higher education stakeholders. The role focuses on translating priorities into policy positions and coordinating cross‑agency messaging.

The position reports to the Executive Director and requires strong policy analysis, strategic thinking, and superb communication for diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Experience tracking Federal and State legislation and coordinating legislative and policy changes with key contacts in other state agencies, the Secretariat of Education, Federal agencies, U.S. Congressional staff and industry associations.
• Experience analyzing Federal and state policy and regulatory issues, and developing position papers with recommendations to executive management.
• Experience supporting, establishing and implementing strategic policy initiatives.
• Experience networking with senior legislative staff, elected officials, industry leaders and other stakeholders to advance policy goals.
• Ability to make presentations, give speeches, and present testimony and materials at the General Assembly Sessions, public meetings and/or industry conferences.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the communication and presentation of Council and agency priorities to the General Assembly, its committees and individual members.
• Develop and advise the agency, executive leadership and the Council on potential strategies and opportunities to engage with external stakeholders in the interest of advancing state, Council, and agency priorities.
• Coordinate with the agency communications team and other SCHEV staff on messaging and presentation of agency perspectives, policy positions, and other agency communications with external stakeholders.
• Participate in regular convenings with the state’s public and private institutions of higher education, including liaisons to the public institutions.
• Support the participation of SCHEV staff in national and statewide conferences.

Job description

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) is seeking an Assistant Director of External Relations to lead engagement with the General Assembly, agencies, and higher education stakeholders. The role focuses on translating priorities into policy positions and coordinating cross‑agency messaging.

The position reports to the Executive Director and requires strong policy analysis, strategic thinking, and superb communication for diverse audiences.