Assistant Director of Community and Government Relations

American University Overview

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly ranked schools and colleges, internationally renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department

Community & Government Relations

Time Type

Full time

Job Type

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Work Modality

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3–4 Days/Week)

Union

Excluded

Job Description

Summary

As part of the Community and Government Relations team, the Assistant Director position plays a critical role in carrying out the department’s overall strategy for local and federal government relations as well as managing the University’s relationship with the neighboring communities.

The Assistant Director will support the department’s dedicated events and programming, focused on enhancing AU’s connections with governmental stakeholders, District of Columbia social impact partners, and campus neighbors.

The position will facilitate the ongoing work of AU’s Neighborhood Partnership and its quarterly Community Liaison Committee public meetings. The Assistant Director will collaborate closely with the AVP Community and Government Relations on tracking federal higher education legislative and regulatory developments, representing AU at briefings, coalition meetings, and events, and developing advocacy materials, communications, and internal updates.

Essential Functions

1.) AU Neighborhood Partnership and Community Liaison Committee Meetings
Support the implementation of AU’s 2021 Campus Plan requirements and Strategic Plan goals to grow the AU Neighborhood Partnership Steering Committee and Working Groups and sustain the quarterly Community Liaison Committee meetings, through both in-person and virtual events, by coordinating all logistics.

• Scheduling, room reservations, calendar invitations, meeting notices
• Catering menus, site set-up, agenda development, slide deck preparation
• Eventbrite event creation/management, note-taking, and post-event follow-ups

2.) Community and Government Relations Events and Programming
Coordinate with the Community and Government Relations team to develop and support events and programming to enhance AU’s relationships with key governmental and community stakeholders, including neighbors, public sector alumni, education policymakers, and appropriators.

• Help identify and manage special projects, as assigned, which support the University’s mission and goals
• Leverage event and program sponsorship/co-sponsorship opportunities within AU and with external partners

3.) Federal Government Relations
Work with the AVP Community and Government Relations to support the University’s federal government relations efforts.

• Conduct legislative and policy research
• Track legislative and regulatory developments
• Build relationships with stakeholders
• Represent AU in coalition meetings
• Assist in drafting testimony, comments, and correspondence
• Prepare advocacy materials

As needed, this role may also perform similar functions in support of AU’s local and regional government relations.

Competencies

• Supporting Coworkers
• Prioritizing and Organizing
• Developing Plans
• Acquiring and Analyzing Information
• Thinking Broadly
• Serving Customers
• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas
• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Full Time
35 hours per week
Periodic weekend/evening on-call responsibilities

Salary Range

$80,000–$85,000 annually

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• 3–5 years of relevant experience
• Ability to forge effective and efficient working relationships and to function as a consensus builder
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills
• Exceptional listening and facilitation skills
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Ability to build and grow relationships with University leadership, alumni, and other important external and internal constituencies and audiences
• Team oriented with excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent persuasive skills with the ability to be calm and professional under pressure

Preferred Education and Experience

• Familiarity with the neighborhoods surrounding American University
• Experience with federal education issues, agencies, and regulatory processes

Travel Required

Limited travel within campus locations to support events and activations; travel within DC to community meetings and programs

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University’s unique benefit options.

Other Details

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Statement

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

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