Vice President for Community and Government Relations

University at Buffalo; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The University at Buffalo is hiring a Vice President for Community and Government Relations to lead the university's engagement with government officials, community partners and advocacy organizations. Reporting directly to the President and serving on the senior leadership team, the vice president is UB's chief community and government relations officer and chief lobbyist, advancing its priorities.

The role suits a seasoned government relations leader with deep knowledge of the New York State

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; at least 10 years in government and community relations or state government/legislative experience in large organizations.
• At least five years of supervisory experience, with expertise in NYS legislative and budget processes and federal appropriations.
• Evening and weekend work may be required; a master's or law degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Align UB's government relations strategy with strategic priorities and represent UB with government officials and community leaders.
• Coordinate with SUNY System Administration Office of Government Relations, the Research Foundation of New York and the University at Buffalo Foundation.
• Lead advocacy efforts to secure funding and sustain investment in student success, research and infrastructure; shape policy conversations on higher education and regional innovation.
• Advise the President and executive team on government, political and community issues and prepare briefings and talking points on priorities.
• Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy with community leaders, nonprofits, economic development entities, neighborhood organizations and business leaders across Western New York.
• Coordinate meetings with elected officials for faculty, staff, senior leaders and the President; participate in Albany and Washington, D.C. lobby days.
• Build and lead a high-performing team; set performance measures to assess advocacy, engagement and partnership initiatives.

Skills

Government relations leadership

State government knowledge

Federal legislative experience

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or JD preferred

Job description

The University at Buffalo is hiring a Vice President for Community and Government Relations to lead the university's engagement with government officials, community partners and advocacy organizations. Reporting directly to the President and serving on the senior leadership team, the vice president is UB's chief community and government relations officer and chief lobbyist, advancing its legislative, budgetary and community priorities. The role suits a seasoned government relations leader with deep knowledge of the New York State legislative and budget process.

Highlights

• Align UB's state, federal and local government relations strategy and long-term advocacy initiatives with the university's strategic priorities.
• Represent UB with senior government officials and community leaders, and coordinate with the SUNY System Administration Office of Government Relations, the Research Foundation of New York and the University at Buffalo Foundation.
• Lead advocacy efforts to secure funding and sustain investment in student success, research and infrastructure, and shape policy conversations on higher education, workforce development and regional innovation.
• Advise the President and executive team on government, political and community issues affecting the university, and prepare briefings and talking points on government relations priorities.
• Develop and carry out a stakeholder engagement strategy with community leaders, nonprofits, economic development entities, neighborhood organizations and business leaders across Western New York.
• Coordinate meetings with elected officials for faculty, staff, senior leaders and the President, and take part in lobby days in Albany and Washington, D.C.
• Build and lead a high-performing team, and set performance measures to assess the effectiveness of advocacy, engagement and partnership initiatives.
• Requires a bachelor's degree, at least 10 years of government and community relations, state government or legislative experience in large matrixed organizations, and at least five years of experience supervising staff, with expertise in the New York State legislative and budget process and federal legislative and appropriations processes.
• Evening and weekend work is required as needed; a master's or law degree is preferred.