Community and Government Relations Program Manager

American University•Washington, DC

1d•$80,000 - $88,000•Hybrid

About The Position

American University is seeking a Program Manager for its Community and Government Relations team. This role is crucial for executing the department's strategy in local and federal government relations and managing the University's relationships with neighboring communities. The Program Manager will support events and programming aimed at strengthening AU's connections with governmental stakeholders, District of Columbia social impact partners, and campus neighbors. This position will facilitate the AU’s Neighborhood Partnership and its quarterly Community Liaison Committee public meetings. The role involves close collaboration with the AVP Community and Government Relations on tracking federal higher education legislative and regulatory developments, representing AU at briefings and coalition meetings, and developing advocacy materials and communications.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Support the implementation of AU’s 2021 Campus Plan requirements and Strategic Plan goals for 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.
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 to identify and manage special projects, as assigned, which support the University’s mission and goals, and leverage event and program sponsorship/co-sponsorship opportunities within AU and with external partners.
Work with the AVP Community and Government Relations to support the University’s federal government relations efforts, including legislative and policy research, tracking legislative and regulatory developments, building relationships with stakeholders, representing AU in coalition meetings, assisting in drafting testimony, comments, and correspondence, and preparing advocacy materials.
As needed, perform similar functions in support of AU’s local and regional government relations.