Position DetailsClassification Information
Position Classification Title Government Relations Professional, State Government Relations Director
FLSA Exempt
Position Class 89845
Position Overview
Position Summary Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is seeking a Director of External Affairs and Government Relations.The Director of External Affairs and Government Relations serves as the university's primary liaison with community organizations as well as federal, state, and local government officials and entities. The Director will interact with legislative bodies and government agencies to represent, protect, and educate public policy interests of Winston-Salem State University. This position will meet with elected officials and their staff to advocate for the university's legislative position on prominent issues, provide feedback on new laws and regulations, educate the university community on policy development, and create opportunities to engage the campus with legislative bodies. The Director's mission is to continually demonstrate the value of Winston-Salem State University as an academic, research, and economic development leader and to facilitate collaborative efforts that benefit the community and the university.
Responsibilities of the Director of External Affairs and Government Relations include: External Relationship Management
- Serves as the university's primary liaison with all levels of government (federal, state, and local).
- Serves as the university's primary liaison with the University of North Carolina System legislative affairs team.
- Represents Winston-Salem State University by articulating and advancing its priorities with members of the City of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina State Legislature, United States Congress, as well as state and federal agencies.
- Builds relationships with the Office of the Governor, the Governor's State Budget Office, the various members of the Council of State and the Governor's Cabinet.
- Represents the University at meetings with a variety of executive branch officials, boards, and commission.
- Ensures that WSSU's and the UNC system's core funding needs are met in the annual budget process.
Strategic Analysis and Planning
- Provides strategic government relations counsel to the chancellor and campus leadership.
- Ensures all political and legislative activity policies are adhered to and updated as required.
- Provides analyses and briefings to senior leadership on a wide range of policy issues that impact the university.
- Provides vision and thought leadership to the Chancellor on university's key strategic initiatives, signature partnerships and other university efforts as determined by the Chancellor.
- In partnership with the chancellor, secures funding for academic programs, student success, capital projects and campus operations from legislative and community partners.
- Drafts, reviews and/or edits Chancellor's public remarks and other official comments, as requested, to ensure clarity, coherence and consistency with strategic messaging.
Leadership and Oversight
- In conjunction with Chief of Staff, provides counsel to the Chancellor on projects or crises that present material institutional risk.
- Provides oversight for the university's economic and workforce development activities and advises the Chancellor on related matters based on engagement with Greater Winston-Salem Inc. business community as well as regional and state Chambers of Commerce.
- Updates the Chancellor and leadership team on various issues and policy discussions of note across higher education, with particular emphasis on peer and aspirational institutions.
- Serves on the Chancellor's Executive Cabinet and manages a wide range of strategic initiatives, signature partnerships and time-sensitive activities with skill, diplomacy and tact.
- Develops and disseminates accurate, timely, and credible information about WSSU and its impact to officials and government agencies.
- Serves as university's registered liaison for federal, state and local elected officials; public sector partners; the NC General Assembly; and the UNC System Office.
- Ensures that the University's planning efforts, the Chancellor's priorities, and the strategic management initiatives are communicated, well-coordinated, and implemented.
On-Site and Local Relationship Management
- Partners with the Chief of Staff to execute campus visits of government officials.
- Collaborates with the region's educational partners (K-12, community college, four-year colleges) on legislative issues impacting Winston-Salem State University students.
- Builds faculty, staff, student, and alumni advocacy network by working with key campus departments to build and engage the office in working with alumni working in legislative and agency offices at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Monitors emerging policies and opportunities relevant to WSSU's academic and economic interests.
- Responds to needs for government relations engagement around the institution, particularly regarding academic units and needs of the school and college departments.
- Meets with local officials and their staff, involves them in campus events, refers faculty experts to government committees and research programs and help identify WSSU students for local government internship.
Position Information
Position Number 000097
Working Position Title Director of External Affairs and Government Relations
Building and Room No. Blair Hall, Room 130
Appointment Type Permanent Full-Time
If Time Limited. No
Appointment Length. 12
Requirements and Preferences
Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies Not Mandatory
Normal Work Schedule Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
Evenings and weekends as required - some overnight travel is required
Department Required Skills - Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, preferably in public affairs, public administration, political science, public relations, business administration, or communication
- Seven years of progressively responsible government relations and advocacy experience within a non-profit or higher education environment.
- Possess a deep understanding and appreciation for the mission, culture, achievements, and aspirations of Winston-Salem State University and the ability to articulate WSSU's uniqueness and relevance
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local policy as it applies to the field of higher education
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and highly confidential information
- Highly effective interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability working with leaders, faculty, and students at all levels within an institution
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to make presentations to a variety of audiences
- Possess strong integrity, good judgement, diplomacy, and a strong work ethic.
Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education - Master's degree in public affairs, public administration, political science, public relations, business administration, or communication
- Experience working in state or federal legislative environments
- Effective planning, detail-orientation, and organizational skills
- Demonstrated analytical skills and the ability to learn new disciplines quickly and understand/synthesize complex data and information
Required License or Certification N/A
Valid US Driver's License Yes
Commercial Driver's License Required No
Physical Required No
List any other medical/drug tests required 
