Vice President for Community Engagement

Community College of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Community College of Philadelphia seeks a Vice President for Community Engagement to lead external engagement, civic partnerships, and workforce development across Philadelphia. This executive role reports to the President’s Cabinet and oversees the Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership, Government Relations, and regional centers.

The position focuses on building trust, securing public support, and expanding educational access while aligning programming with civic priorities

Qualifications

• Master's degree required; doctoral degree preferred.
• Ten years of senior leadership experience in higher education, government, or related fields.
• Proven ability to build partnerships across diverse constituencies and with elected officials.
• Strong strategic planning and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement strategy aligned with the College's strategic plan.
• Oversee government relations with local, state, and federal entities and monitor policy developments.
• Lead the Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership and promote civic learning and volunteerism.
• Strengthen municipal partnerships and expand workforce pathways with public-sector employers.
• Collaborate across Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Workforce Development, and Institutional Advancement to advance priorities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Communication

Relationship-building

Public affairs

Governance knowledge

Education

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

Job description

The Vice President for Community Engagement serves as a member of the President's Cabinet and provides strategic leadership for the College's external engagement, civic partnerships, government relations, and community impact initiatives. The Vice President advances the College's mission by strengthening relationships with government agencies, community organizations, employers, civic leaders, nonprofit partners, and residents throughout Philadelphia.

The Vice President serves as the College's chief community engagement officer, ensuring that the institution remains responsive to community needs while creating pathways that expand educational access, workforce development, civic participation, and economic mobility. This position leads a portfolio focused on building trust, fostering strategic partnerships, securing public support, and enhancing the College's visibility and influence across the city and region.

The Vice President reports to the Chief of Staff and oversees the Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership, Government Relations, the College's Regional Centers: Career and Advanced Technology Center/ Northeast Regional Center and the City College for Municipal Employment.

Strategic Community Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement strategy aligned with the College's strategic plan.
• Serve as a key liaison between the College and community stakeholders, including neighborhood organizations, nonprofit agencies, faith-based institutions, employers, civic associations, and community leaders.
• Build partnerships that strengthen educational attainment, workforce development, civic engagement, and economic opportunity throughout Philadelphia.
• Represent the College at community, civic, governmental, and public events.
• Provide oversight to the College's regional centers.

Government and Public Affairs

• Provide strategic oversight of local, state, and federal government relations activities.
• Foster productive relationships with elected officials, public agencies, and policy leaders.
• Monitor legislative and policy developments affecting community colleges and advocate for initiatives that advance the College's mission.
• Coordinate institutional engagement with public-sector partners and municipal agencies.

Civic Leadership and Community Impact

• Provide executive oversight of the Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership.
• Promote civic learning, democratic engagement, volunteerism, and community-based partnerships.
• Advance initiatives that connect students, faculty, and staff with opportunities for public service and community leadership.
• Establish measurable outcomes demonstrating the College's impact on Philadelphia communities.

Municipal Partnerships

• Provide strategic leadership for the City College for Municipal Employment.
• Strengthen partnerships with the City of Philadelphia and other public-sector employers.
• Expand workforce pathways that address municipal talent needs and create career opportunities for residents.
• Align educational programming with emerging workforce and civic priorities.

Institutional Advancement and Collaboration

• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Workforce Development, Enrollment Management, Institutional Advancement, and the College Foundation to advance institutional priorities.
• Support fundraising and grant development efforts related to community engagement, workforce development, and civic leadership initiatives.
• Promote the College's role as an anchor institution and trusted community partner.

• Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, government, community development, public affairs, nonprofit leadership, workforce development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships across diverse constituencies.
• Experience working with elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, and civic leaders.
• Strong strategic planning, communication, and relationship-building skills.

• Doctoral degree from an accredited institution.
• Experience in community college leadership.
• Knowledge of Philadelphia's civic, governmental, educational, and workforce ecosystems.
• Experience leading community engagement, public affairs, government relations, or external affairs functions.