Vice President for Community and Government Relations

Job Title: Vice President for Community and Government Relations
Reports to: President
Department: Office of the President

Job Summary
The State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) seeks a highly proactive, energetic, and advocacy-minded individual to lead community and government relations. Reporting directly to the President and serving on the university’s senior leadership team, the Vice President for Community and Government Relations leads UB’s engagement with government officials, community partners and advocacy organizations. As UB’s chief community and government relations officer and chief lobbyist, the vice president advances the university’s legislative, budgetary and community engagement priorities. The vice president advances UB’s reputation, influence and strategic impact through external engagement and partnerships. The vice president promotes a coordinated “one university” approach that aligns advocacy and messaging, communicates UB’s contributions and strengthens relationships with external partners and surrounding communities.

About the State University of New York at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo is entering a defining era under President Caroline A. Genco. A New York State flagship and premier public research university, UB enrolls approximately 30,000 students in more than 500 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs and sponsors 16 NCAA Division I teams. Founded in 1846, UB is the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system and a member of the Association of American Universities. UB is consistently recognized for academic excellence, research impact and affordability.

Job Description

Key Priorities and Impact Areas will include, but are not limited to:
Strengthening Institutional Alignment and Relationships
Ensures that UB’s state, federal, and local government relations strategy and long-term advocacy initiatives align with the university’s strategic priorities.
Represents UB with senior government officials and community leaders.
Coordinates with SUNY System Administration Office of Government Relations, the Research Foundation of New York, and the University at Buffalo Foundation on government and community relations matters.
Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships with higher education associations, business organizations, civic groups, community organizations, and advocacy coalitions to advance university mission and priorities.

Advancing the Mission
Shapes policy conversations related to higher education, workforce development and regional and state innovation.
Leads advocacy efforts to further UB’s priorities, which results in securing funding and sustaining investment aligned with UB’s priorities in student success, research and infrastructure.

Leveraging Location and University Relationships
Advises the President and President’s executive team on matters relating to the government, political, and community issues impacting the university.
Develops strong relationships and communication networks with university leaders and within the university community and partners to achieve shared understanding of issues impacting the university and develop effective advocacy strategies.
Strengthens and sustains UB’s relationships within the Western New York community by developing and implementing a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy that strengthen relationships with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, economic development entities, neighborhood organizations, business leaders, and regional partners.
Coordinates with University Communications to align communications strategies with government and community relations priorities.

Supporting the University’s President and Strategic Plan
Prepares briefings and talking points for the President and university leaders regarding government relations priorities.
Coordinates and arranges meetings with elected officials for faculty, staff, senior university leadership, and the President and advises the President on any potential risks, opportunities, and response strategies.
Positions UB as a central partner in addressing the region’s and state’s most pressing challenges including economic mobility, educational access and workforce readiness.
Serves as a visible and respected voice presenting UB’s interests and contributions.

Building and Leading a High-Performing Function
Develops a cohesive, high-performing team that executes coordinated strategies across university units and levels of government.
Establishes clear performance measures and assess the effectiveness of advocacy, engagement and partnership initiatives with measurable outcomes.

The successful candidate will:
Build Networks — Develops internal and external relationships that advance institutional priorities, visibility and impact.
Exercise Sound Judgment — Builds productive relationships at all levels; remains discreet, collaborative and composed under pressure.
Build Stakeholder Alignment — Navigates competing priorities and perspectives while building alignment among university, government, community and SUNY partners.
Instill Trust — Demonstrates integrity, credibility and transparency, earning the confidence of the President and key stakeholders.
Communicate Effectively — Delivers clear, compelling and audience-centered communications that inform and inspire action.
Build Collaborative Relationships — Navigates complex political, governmental, institutional and community environments while advancing UB’s objectives.
Deliver Results — Leads cross-functional initiatives that achieve goals, improve processes and strengthen collaboration with sound political judgment and professional integrity.

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree
At least 10 years of experience in government and community relations, state government, or legislative experience in large, matrixed organizations.
Expertise in the NYS legislative and budget process.
Expertise in the NYS political landscape and/or federal political issues impacting higher education.
Competency in the federal legislative and appropriations processes.
Demonstrated working experience with elected officials, staff, and government and all levels of employee categories as colleagues and partners.
Experience with policy analysis and lobbying compliance.
At least five years of experience supervising staff.

Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in a related field, or law degree.
Demonstrated commitment to supporting and developing a collaborative team.

Other Requirements:
This position will require evening and weekend work hours as needed.
This position will include lobby days in Albany and Washington, D.C., creating opportunities for engagement with elected officials, alumni in elected office, and area representatives in compliance with state and federal lobbying laws.
This role serves at the pleasure of the university and is an “at will” position.

UB is distinguished by–and committed to maintaining—a vibrant culture of collaboration in which all constituents value the perspectives of others and feel secure in sharing their own with dignity and respect. It is the policy of the University at Buffalo and its affiliated organizations to provide and promote merit-based equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetics, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, arrest and/or criminal conviction record (unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other lawful exception), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. This commitment applies to hiring, compensation, promotion and all other terms and conditions of employment.

To apply for this position, please visit: https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/65419.