Vice President Governmental & External Affairs

Ferris State University•Big Rapids, MI

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President for Governmental Relations & External Affairs provides strategic leadership for the University’s governmental relations, external affairs, and public policy efforts. Reporting to the President, this position serves as the University’s principal liaison with federal, state, and local government officials and agencies and works to advance the University’s mission, priorities, and interests through effective government and community engagement. The Vice President develops and implements comprehensive governmental relations strategies; monitors legislative and regulatory developments; builds and maintains relationships with elected and appointed officials; and represents the University before governmental entities and other external stakeholders. The position works closely with the President, Board of Trustees, senior leaders, faculty, staff, students, and external partners to identify opportunities, assess potential impacts of public policy, and coordinate the University’s response to legislative and regulatory issues. The Vice President also leads efforts to identify and pursue public funding opportunities, including state and federal appropriations, grants, capital projects, and other governmental resources that support the University’s strategic priorities. This position may have a primary work location in both Lansing and Big Rapids. The Vice President, in collaboration with the President, will build strategic relationships with businesses and corporations throughout Michigan, with a particular focus on Southeast and West Michigan. The selected candidate for this position must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without employer assistance or sponsorship now or in the future. The university will not assist with any F-1 EADs, OPT, H1B, etc. Offers are determined based on a review of the candidate's qualifications, including education, training, experience, and internal pay equity considerations. Placement within the range will generally be based on the following factors: Entry-Range: Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and core requirements of the position. Mid-Range: Candidates with three or more years of directly related professional experience and demonstrate proficiency in the key responsibilities of the role. Upper Range: Candidates with seven or more years of directly related experience, advanced knowledge, specialized skills, certifications, or expertise that provide significant value to the position. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's overall qualifications, experience, and alignment with the University's compensation philosophy in consultation with Human Resources.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.
Significant progressively responsible experience in governmental relations, public policy, legislative affairs, higher education, government, public administration, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing governmental or legislative strategies.
Demonstrated experience building and maintaining effective relationships with elected officials, government agencies, legislative staff, and other external stakeholders.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills.
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex legislative and regulatory issues and communicate their implications to senior leadership.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, politically sensitive, and complex environment.
Ability to represent the University effectively with a wide range of internal and external constituencies.
Ability to communicate effectively, including public speaking; influence policymakers; interact effectively with a wide variety of people and groups; plan, organize, and meet deadlines; and be creative and innovative in the development of ideas.
Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.
The position requires the ability to build consensus, navigate complex political and institutional environments, and effectively represent the University’s interests while maintaining productive relationships with individuals and organizations holding differing perspectives.
The Vice President is expected to demonstrate sound judgment, political awareness, discretion, and a strong understanding of the role of public higher education within state and federal governmental systems.
Must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without employer assistance or sponsorship now or in the future.
Will authorize, pursuant to university policies and procedures, a driving record check, and will meet the driving authorization requirements through the course of employment in a position where you are authorized to drive a vehicle as part of your duties.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive governmental relations strategy aligned with the University’s strategic plan, institutional priorities, and mission.
Serve as the University’s primary representative and advocate with federal, state, and local elected officials, government agencies, legislative staff, and other governmental stakeholders.
Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with members of the state and federal legislature, local government leaders, and their staffs.
Monitor federal, state, and local legislation, regulations, policies, and governmental actions that may affect the University, higher education, students, employees, or the communities the University serves.
Advise the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership regarding legislative and public policy developments, emerging issues, risks, and opportunities.
Develop strategies and recommendations for advancing the University’s legislative and public policy priorities.
Coordinate the University’s response to proposed legislation, regulations, and governmental initiatives in collaboration with appropriate University leaders and subject matter experts.
Represent the University at legislative hearings, governmental meetings, policy forums, community events, and other external engagements.
Develop and maintain relationships with higher education associations, business and community organizations, advocacy groups, and other strategic partners to advance shared priorities.
Coordinate the development and delivery of legislative testimony, briefing materials, policy statements, talking points, correspondence, presentations, and other governmental relations communications.
Identify and pursue opportunities for state and federal appropriations, capital funding, grants, and other public resources that support University priorities.
Work collaboratively with University leadership to develop funding requests and advocacy strategies for capital projects, academic programs, student initiatives, research, workforce development, and other institutional priorities.
Coordinate governmental relations activities across the University to ensure consistent messaging, effective advocacy, and appropriate engagement with public officials.
Serve as a resource to University leaders regarding governmental processes, legislative strategy, public policy, and political and regulatory developments.
Develop and maintain an effective network of governmental and community contacts throughout the University’s service area and beyond.
Promote the University’s contributions to economic development, workforce development, research, innovation, community engagement, and the broader public good.
Collaborate with Communications and Marketing to ensure governmental relations messaging is consistent with the University’s overall communications strategy.
Ensure governmental relations activities comply with applicable federal and state laws, University policies, and ethical standards. Represent the University with professionalism, integrity, and diplomacy while maintaining appropriate political and institutional relationships.
Create partnerships within the community to provide student experiences with governmental agencies.
Manage the governmental relations budget and related external consulting or advocacy resources.
Operates a university or personal vehicle safely while carrying out job responsibilities. Will authorize, pursuant to university policies and procedures, a driving record check, and will meet the driving authorization requirements through the course of employment in a position where you are authorized to drive a vehicle as part of your duties.
Carries out responsibilities in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.
Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned by the President.