Reporting to the Chief of Staff and Vice President of Partnerships, the Director, Government Relations provides leadership in the development and execution of comprehensive legislative and governmental relations strategies that advance the College’s mission, strategic plan, and institutional priorities. This role serves as the College’s primary point of contact for federal, state (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania), regional, and local government entities and works collaboratively across the College to promote public policy initiatives that support student success, workforce development, and community engagement.
Consistent with government affairs roles across higher education institutions in Pennsylvania, the Director monitors legislative and regulatory activity, manages advocacy efforts, supports public funding and appropriations initiatives, builds relationships with elected officials and agencies, and ensures the College’s interests are effectively represented before governmental bodies.
Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership in the development and implementation of legislative and governmental relations strategies aligned with the College’s mission, strategic direction, and priorities as established by the President and Executive Leadership.
- Advance the College’s priorities at the federal, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, regional, county, and municipal levels by cultivating relationships with elected officials, appointed leaders, regulatory agencies, and their staff.
- Serve as the College’s primary liaison to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Governor’s Office, state agencies (including the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Department of Labor & Industry), and local governmental entities.
- Advocate for public funding, appropriations, grants, and policy initiatives that support higher education, workforce development, and community-based programming.
- Provide timely briefings and strategic guidance to the President, Chief of Staff, and Executive Team regarding legislative developments, risks, and opportunities.
- Monitor, analyze, and interpret legislation, regulations, and public policy trends at the federal, state, and local levels, and assess potential impacts on College operations, finances, and programs.
- Represent the College, as directed by leadership, with members of Congress, state legislators, governors’ offices, county executives, mayors, regulatory agencies, and relevant government organizations.
- Coordinate and manage the College’s advocacy efforts, including lobbying activities, legislative visits, campus tours for elected officials, and participation in coalitions and higher education associations.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop policy briefs, legislative testimony, talking points, and rapid-response communications targeted to policymakers and community stakeholders.
- Serve as a liaison between legislative bodies and the College, responding to inquiries, coordinating information requests, and ensuring consistent messaging.
Required Qualifications:
- Five (5) or more years of experience in government relations, public policy, legislative affairs, or advocacy.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Pennsylvania legislative and regulatory processes.
- Strong relationship-building, communication, and strategic planning skills.
- Experience working with appropriations, public funding, or policy advocacy.
- Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to travel, as needed.
- An understanding of, and sensitivity to, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college staff and students.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, law, political science, or related field.
- Higher education or public sector experience.
Benefits:
- College-paid medical, dental, drug, life and disability insurance
- Tuition remission (for classes at the college)
- Forgivable tuition loan (for classes at any accredited academic institution)
- 403(b) retirement plan with 10% College contribution with employee contribution 5%
- Flexible spending accounts
- Paid vacation, holiday and personal time
- Partial remote work schedule for remote work eligible positions
- Winter break: 1 week around the third week in December and New Years
- Spring Break: 1 week in March
- Summer Hours: 4-day work week (closed on Fridays) from the 2nd week in May through the 3rd week in August