Job Description

Details:

Posted: October 10, 2024
Level: Management / Confidential (Executive 1) 
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Closing Date: The committee will begin review of applications immediately. Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm (EST) on Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Location:

CSCU System Office
61 Woodland Street Hartford, CT 06105 
**This position is not remote**
For more information, please visit the campus website or

Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Mission:

The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) contribute to the creation of knowledge and the economic growth of the state of Connecticut by providing affordable, innovative, and rigorous programs. Our learning environments transform students and facilitate an ever-increasing number of individuals to achieve their personal and career goals.

CSCU Vision:

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities will build on its long and successful history by working collectively - within and across institutions - and by engaging external partners to increase the number of students pursuing and completing personally and professionally rewarding certificate and degree programs, improving their social mobility, and helping the state to meet its current and future workforce demands.

CSCU Equity Statement:

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.

Anticipated Start Date: 

January 2025

Position Summary:

The CSCU Senior Director of Government Relations and External Affairs functions as an advisor to the CSCU leadership on legislative and regulatory matters and as the CSCU System’s advocate and strategist before federal, state, and local legislative bodies to enhance the formulation and application of laws and regulations affecting the CSCU System. They will help build opportunities and recognition for the CSCU system’s institutions and leadership through relationship building and strategic partnerships locally, regionally, and nationally. They serve as a resource to the Chancellor and senior leaders of the system institutions on legislative matters, providing guidance and consultation to them to enhance the effectiveness of their respective programs. Its principal effort is to affect federal, state, and local legislation and regulation and to build strategic relationships with external partners such as business and industry leaders and associations, community agency leaders, and municipal officers in ways that are favorable to the CSCU System’s mission of education and academic excellence.

Example of Job Duties:

Under the direction of the Vice Chancellor of External Affairs, the Senior Director of Government Relations and External Affairs is responsible for effective performance in these essential duties:

• Develops and implements the state and federal policy priorities for the CSCU system at the direction of Vice Chancellor of External Affairs, and in consultation with the CACU Chancellor, Board of Regents, college, and university leaders, and CSCU administrators. Analyzes the impact of policy proposals on the CSCU system, and advocates on behalf of CSCU to state and federal policymakers. Provides guidance and support regarding implementation and legislative intent of proposals.
• Conducts research, prepares written analyses, and develops strategies to affect and influence present and proposed public policy, legislation, and regulation impacting the CSCU system at the state and federal levels.
• Informs and advises the Vice Chancellor of External Affairs and CSCU Chancellor, college and university leaders, and the Board of Regents on current state and federal policy and legislative activities and emerging issues. Serves as a strategic partner and advisor across the CSCU in community engagement, public policy, and relationship building. Supports individual CSCU institutions with stakeholder engagement, outreach initiatives, signature events, and other external affairs as needed.
• Facilitates extensive interactions with policymakers, administrators, legislative staff, and others, to further the strategic interests of the CSCU system. In this role, the incumbent is expected to represent the system in a positive manner, maintaining a high degree of courtesy, cooperation, and respect and to collaborate with executives and other employees to ensure legislative proposals clearly articulate the intent and desired outcomes of proposals.
• Serves as the primary representative and manages all activities related to CSCU appearances before various official legislative hearings, meetings, and task forces, prepares and delivers testimony and public comment on behalf of the CSCU system.
• Conducts effective lobbying and governmental relations efforts with federal, state, and local officials and their staffs, supporting the CSCU system’s interests and long-term goals. Works with the CT General Assembly to  advocate for the inclusion of CSCU system priorities in various programs and budgets. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to secure support for legislative initiatives.
• This role will work to identify opportunities and build strategic partnerships with stakeholders across the state and region including public and private institutions of higher education, government entities, nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, and other business and industry associations to further the strategic goals of the CSCU system. Represents the system when needed on various boards, commissions, chambers of commerce, and at institutionally significant events.
• Coordinates intragovernmental relationships and strategic initiatives across federal, state, and local government agencies to further the public policy agenda and strategic goals of the CSCU system. Represents the CSCU system on various governmental workgroups and taskforces.
• Works to elevate the profile and brand of the CSCU system and institutional leaders with state, regional, and national partners to help further the mission and strategic goals of CSCU. Builds relationships with policymakers and leadership across the CSCU system. Leverages opportunities for the CSCU Chancellor, and system and institutional leadership to serve as thought leaders in higher education with our community partners, policymakers, and national associations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in public administration, political science, or a related field together with a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience OR a Bachelor’s Degree and minimum of seven (7) years of equivalent work experience in developing, coordinating, and implementing effective government relations programs.

Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following: 

• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret laws, regulations, and legislation and to apply them to and determine their effect on higher education.
• Ability to advise policy makers on the effects of regulation and legislation and to guide their policymaking efforts.
• Ability to affect legislators and government officials in a persuasive and convincing manner to take
  actions favorable to the CSCU system,

Candidates must possess proven ability to effectively work with culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and students. They are expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills along with strong Information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with the CT General Assembly.
• Experience in higher education.

Starting Salary:

Minimum Salary; $140,721 approximate annual plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits. The salary will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications such as education and job-related experience, and internal equity.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans ; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance . You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable. 

Application Instructions:

To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter may be entered as text in the corresponding box, or it can be uploaded as a combined file with the resume.  

Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable.

For more information or to apply via our website at

Selection Procedure:

Following the closing date, application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants who are best qualified based on the minimum and preferred qualifications and who have submitted all the required documents by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Candidates who have been selected and approved to interview will be contacted, and finalists will be recommended for further consideration by the Hiring Manager for final selection and recommendation for employment. The selection process may also include practical exercises (i.e., teaching demonstration and/or other written, technical, manipulative, or simulation exercises) to evaluate candidates' qualifications.

Background Screening:

All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check, including granting permission to contact current and previous employers for verification. CSCU is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CSCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, PhD, MSW, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (jchaisson-cardenas@commnet.edu).

CSCC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F

Job Tags

Full time, Work experience placement, Local area, Immediate start,

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