Job Abstract

Title:
Chief of State Government Affairs

Department:
Office of the President

Reports To:
President

Position Type:
Staff

Position Summary:
The Chief of State Government Affairs (CSGA) develops and implements strategies for representing the university's interests at the State of New Jersey level and proactively identifies opportunities to advance key institutional priorities in collaboration with a broad range of campus and governmental partners in New Jersey and Washington DC. The CSGA will split time between Newark and Trenton, and be responsible for maintaining and cultivating strong and mutually beneficial relationships with government officials, legislators and staff, policy leaders, advocacy organizations, and others. The CSGA works in partnership with a broad range of internal and external partners to advance NJIT's mission and goals, serving as a strong advocate for NJIT and higher education throughout the state. Maintains regular communication with on-campus partners regarding governmental initiatives, including legislative and regulatory proposals. This position is charged with crafting and disseminating compelling messages and proposals through strategic use of channels; advocacy strategy and policymaker engagement; media outreach, including traditional press engagement and editorial content development; and partner and coalition engagement.

Essential Functions:

?Responsible for developing and executing NJIT’s state government relations strategies, leveraging relationships across critical external stakeholders including policy makers, the multiple levels of government administrations, and non-governmental organizations.
?Responsible for representing NJIT’s interests on cross-functional teams from budgetary to public policy and legislative issues with key third parties such as industry, associations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, etc.
?Develops and executes strategies for NJIT to secure state appropriations and works closely with members of the NJIT Board of Trustees to advance the university’s partnership with the State of New Jersey.
?Collaborates closely with the President’s Cabinet, in particular the President’s Chief of Staff, and with our external lobbyist partners at the state and federal levels to effectively represent the university’s interests in the State of New Jersey.
?Responsible for educating constituents of the value proposition that NJIT provides and what distinguishes NJIT from other universities.
?Represents NJIT at state legislative meetings and advocates for organizational interests in front of governmental bodies.
?Monitors and comments on pending legislation that may impact NJIT or higher ed operations. Provides analysis and advises campus leadership and appropriate campus professional staff of potential solutions.
?Partners with university and governmental leaders and cultivates relationships with vital senior and essential public state officials.
?Establish strong and meaningful relationships with elected officials, leadership from key agencies, and their staff members.
?Maintain regular communications with State officials to provide updates on NJIT accomplishments.
?Schedule briefings and meetings with elected officials for faculty and leadership visits, and support NJIT leadership in visits as appropriate.
?Host State or Federal elected officials on site for tours and meetings with campus leadership, experts at NJIT and the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), and relevant community stakeholders.
?Strategically attends and plans events that facilitate relations within the state, generate press and allow for the free exchange of ideas, needs and advocacy.
?Provides expert political and policy insights to aid NJIT’s senior leaders in making informed decisions, as appropriate to generate and coordinate thought leadership and engagement opportunities for NJIT.
?Plans, develops and implements strategies for government outreach, to include specifically developing and advancing policy positions through liaisons with governmental staff.
?Effectively leads and coordinates key public state official relationships and contacts across NJIT to better leverage opportunities and drive positive outcomes.
?Directs, shares, and represents NJIT’s position on bills, issues, and policies through participation in state meetings with various levels of government or identifies surrogates, as needed.
?Manages the appointment process of the Board of Trustee members and candidates through the administrative and legislative branches of government.
?Provides counsel to NJIT as well as NJII on policy and legislative issues or performs other special projects as assigned by the President.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded or revised to include or exclude other duties or responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Prerequisite Qualifications:
?A Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
?At least ten years of broad, senior-level administrative/management experience.
?Seven to ten years of progressively responsible governmental relations work experience, may include experience as a legislative staff, policy director and/or lobbyist.
?Knowledge of current public education issues and concerns; the law, policies, and procedures of the major policy and program areas for NJIT.
?Knowledge of the legislative process, effective legislative advocacy procedures, methods, and techniques.
?Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish rapport and credibility with key individuals and to build, maintain and leverage a broad network of contacts.
?Ability to quickly analyze, evaluate, and respond to legislative and regulatory proposals, complex data, and other information on educational issues and legislation.
?Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
?Demonstrated leadership, project management, team building, confidentiality, and time management skills.
?At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Preferred Qualifications:
Professional Certifications in Governmental Affairs or a related field in higher education administration or related field is preferred.

Bargaining Unit:
Non-Aligned

Range/Band:
7

FLSA:
Exempt
Full-Time