Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Grants

Great Basin College•Elko, NV

4d•$100,000 - $125,000•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Grants provides leadership for the college’s government relations, public policy engagement, and strategic grant development efforts. This position advances Great Basin College’s mission by coordinating advocacy strategies, monitoring legislative developments, and identifying funding opportunities that support institutional priorities. The Director serves as a key advisor to institutional leadership on federal and state policy matters affecting higher education and works collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and external partners to develop competitive grant proposals. The position cultivates relationships with elected officials, government agencies, foundations, and community partners to strengthen the college’s visibility, influence, and access to external funding. The Director works closely with the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and institutional leadership to coordinate legislative advocacy, pursue grant funding, and support initiatives that enhance educational access, workforce development, and community partnerships. This position reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. This is a remote position, but the employee must live in Nevada. Considerable travel is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in public policy, public administration, political science, higher education administration, or a related field.
Progressively responsible experience in government relations, public policy, grant development, or related external affairs work.
Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state legislative legislative, regulatory, and public policy processes.
Experience researching funding opportunities and developing or supporting grant proposals.
Strong analytical, organizational, and written communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, administrators, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, political science, higher education administration, law, or a related field.
Experience working in higher education, preferably a community college, or a complex public organization.
Experience writing or coordinating federal grant proposals.
Working knowledge of the Nevada State Legislature, Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), and the Nevada Electronic Legislative Information System (NELIS).
Experience working with or through federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, or Department of Labor.
Experience coordinating multi-partner initiatives involving educational institutions, school districts, employers, or community organizations.

Responsibilities

Government Relations Strategy Develop and implement a comprehensive government relations and public affairs strategy that advances the college’s priorities at the federal, state, and local levels.
Advise institutional leadership on legislative developments, emerging public policy issues, and advocacy strategies.
Monitor legislation, regulatory actions, budget proposals, and policy developments affecting higher education, workforce development, and student success.
Prepare policy briefs, legislative summaries, talking points and strategic communications to support institutional decision-making and advocacy.
Identify opportunities to advance institutional priorities through legislative, regulatory, appropriations, and funding initiatives.
Federal and State Government Affairs Coordinate the college’s federal, state, and local advocacy efforts in collaboration with institutional leadership and the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Support the development and advancement of federal and state legislative priorities, including funding and appropriations initiatives.
Serve as liaison to federal contract lobbyists and coordinate related advocacy activities, follow-up, and provide strategic communication to leadership.
Monitor and analyze federal and state legislation, budget actions, and regulatory developments affecting higher education and their implications for GBC.
Prepare and coordinate legislative testimony, briefing materials, talking points, and policy statements to support GBC’s priorities.
Coordinate and support meetings with elected officials and policymakers, including visits with congressional and state legislative offices.
Grant Development and Funding Strategy Identify and research grant opportunities from federal, state, and private funding sources that align with institutional priorities.
Serve as the primary writer or coordinator for select grant proposals, particularly federal grants and other strategic funding initiatives.
Collaborate with faculty, administrators, finance personnel, and program staff to develop project concepts, goals, and measurable outcomes for grant proposals.
Assist in the preparation, review, and refinement of proposal narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation in accordance with funding agency guidelines.
Coordinate proposal submissions and ensure applications are complete, compliant, competitive and are submitted in accordance with institutional and funding agency requirements.
Institutional Collaboration and Communication Work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and institutional partners to support grant development and advocacy initiatives.
Communicate grant opportunities and policy developments to campus stakeholders.
Provide presentations and updates on legislative and funding initiatives to faculty, staff, and college leadership.
Maintain organized records of grant proposals, funding opportunities, and advocacy activities.
Community and External Engagement Develop and maintain relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, and business partners.
Represent the college at government affairs meetings, policy forums, and community events.
Foster partnerships that support the college’s mission, workforce development initiatives, and service area communities.

Benefits

Health insurance options including medical, dental and vision
12 paid holidays
Life insurance, long-term disability
Generous annual and sick leave with 24 annual leave days, a beginning balance of 30 sick leave days.
ComPsych supports employees through life's difficult moments.
No state income tax!
Free Parking
Grants-in-aid for Faculty Employees
Great Basin College is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents.
Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate.
Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee’s spouse or domestic partner.