UNIV - HCC Director of Community Affairs - Hollings Cancer Center

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

22d

About The Position

The Medical University of South Carolina’s Hollings Cancer Center seeks a Director of Community Affairs to develop and execute strategies that advance institutional priorities, strengthen statewide visibility, cultivate key relationships, and support continued growth and statewide impact. The role serves as a principal liaison between Hollings and internal and external stakeholders, and calls for expertise in government and public affairs, strategic and executive communications, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. The Director works with Hollings leadership, faculty, staff, MUSC Government Affairs, community partners, advocacy organizations, elected officials, and other stakeholders. The position advances support for cancer research, prevention, clinical care, statewide access, and infrastructure needs. It also leads or supports strategic initiatives, events, stakeholder engagement, and communications that explain Hollings’ impact to external audiences. Hollings Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated cancer center in South Carolina. It serves the state’s residents and is part of a national network of NCI-designated cancer centers. MUSC is an academic health science center with more than 34,000 employees and outreach locations across South Carolina. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field as preferred, at least five years of progressively responsible experience, a valid South Carolina driver’s license, and the ability to travel throughout South Carolina and to Washington, D.C. The role may require flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours. Physical requirements include frequent sitting, standing upright, walking, and use of hands and arms; continuous indoor work and dexterity; occasional outdoor work and lifting or moving items up to 15 pounds.

Requirements

At least five years of progressively responsible experience in corporate, nonprofit, or higher education management.
Demonstrated experience in relationship-building, communications, and planning or overseeing high-level events.
Knowledge of government relations, public affairs, advocacy, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement.
Strong understanding of the South Carolina legislative environment and familiarity with the federal legislative and appropriations process.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with elected officials, government staff, business executives, community leaders, academic leaders, and other high-level stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills, including writing and proofreading, and strong interpersonal skills.
Excellent organizational skills and follow-up.
Ability to manage multiple complex, highly visible initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
Strong management and leadership skills.
Ability to work as part of a team, embrace change, and contribute to strategic decision-making in an entrepreneurial setting.
Ability to represent Hollings professionally with senior external audiences.
Understanding of academic culture and ability to relate well to faculty and other constituents.
Understanding of and commitment to serving a diverse population.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours when needed.
Bachelor’s degree in political science, journalism, communications, business administration, public relations, or a related field is preferred.
Valid South Carolina driver’s license.
Ability to travel throughout South Carolina and to Washington, D.C.

Responsibilities

Serve as a principal liaison between Hollings Cancer Center and internal and external stakeholders.
Identify and build relationships with stakeholders, including MUSC Government Affairs, the Hollings Advisory Board, community partners, state legislators, congressional delegation members, and legislative and congressional staff.
Partner with Hollings leadership and members to develop opportunities that increase participation in programs benefiting investigators and trainees and strengthen stakeholder relationships.
Develop strategies to educate community leaders about Hollings’ statewide impact, research, clinical care, prevention programs, workforce, economic impact, and public return on investment.
Partner with Hollings executive leadership, communications and marketing, and MUSC Government Affairs to advance strategic stakeholder engagement.
Work with external advocacy organizations and cancer policy stakeholders to advance shared priorities.
Represent Hollings in advocacy coalitions, policy discussions, legislative committees, and external organizations as appropriate.
Prepare senior leaders, faculty, and other representatives for external stakeholder meetings, including creating briefing materials and presentations.
Coordinate legislative visits, congressional meetings, State House engagement, Capitol Hill advocacy days, and related initiatives with MUSC Government Affairs.
Support engagement of the Hollings Advisory Board.
Partner with executive leadership on initiatives involving institutional growth, research expansion, clinical programs, statewide partnerships, and infrastructure development.
Coordinate and lead continued development of the Hollings economic impact report.
Translate complex scientific, clinical, financial, and policy information into clear messages for external audiences and events.
Develop materials demonstrating the impact of major institutional investments.
Identify emerging opportunities, partnerships, and issues affecting the cancer center and recommend engagement strategies.
Support efforts related to Hollings Cancer Center’s advancement within the National Cancer Institute.
Complete special projects in support of Hollings Cancer Center’s mission.