The Director of Public Affairs will partner closely with the vice president to raise the college’s visibility among external audiences who share the college’s mission. The principal area of focus in public affairs and policy, though this individual will generally build relationships that raise the college’s visibility as a thought-leader. The director develops partnerships and affiliations with forward-thinking organizations, influencing public perception while creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with various stakeholders including legislators, policy makers, opinion leaders, regional officials, and the business community. Partnerships may lead to state and federal appropriations that support programmatic, capital and economic development initiatives. In tandem with partners across campus, this role will lead to greater experiential experiences for our students, stronger research offerings and academic affiliations, and positive visibility as a leading voice on issues impacting our community, region, and state.

• Support the vice president’s outreach to elected and appointed officials at both the state and local levels through regular communications, advocacy, and engagement on policies, programs, and initiatives. Assist the vice president in drafting briefing memos, memorandums, testimony, and talking points.
• Identify and/or participate in regional convenings, action teams, roundtables, and coalitions to advance the priorities of the college and our local communities. Provide strategic, logistical, and administrative leadership as needed.
• In collaboration and consultation with advancement, pursue and develop new revenue streams with industry partners that position the college as an intellectual destination and change agent. Look to host consortia and related events that position the college as forward-thinking within academic and policy arenas.
• In concert with marketing communications colleagues, develop communication plans and prepare marketing materials that creatively position Ursinus as a thought-leader. Effectively highlight the college’s distinctiveness, especially its research culture and unique curricular offerings, to potential partners and affiliates.
• Assist the vice president in implementing and coordinating a campus-wide participatory approach to strengthening the college’s external relations efforts. Seek opportunities for campus members to engage with external audiences and key stakeholders in a manner that leads to great experiential opportunities for our students and leads to the creation of new knowledge by identifying distinctive research and academic collaborations.
• Mobilize new and non-traditional partners with whom to collaborate on programs and strategic initiatives. Work with colleagues in advancement, academic affairs, and other divisions to identify, cultivate, and maintain high-level partnerships within the non-profit, government, business, life sciences, and education sectors to advance shared interests and strengthen the reputation of the college as an agent of change.
• Lead the effort within marketing communications to track performance of proactive marketing efforts against KPIs that measure the sustained growth of new partnerships. And meticulously track partner outreach and correspondence with external partners, including action items. Maintain knowledge of the mission of external partners, particularly those that complement and/or operate within the scope of Ursinus College’s mission and vision.

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 8-10+ years of experience of successful engagement and relationship-building with external audiences.
• Ability to approach work from a creative and innovative standpoint.
• Ability to lead as a senior team member in a very busy, creative environment.
• Strong ability to build lasting relationships that are productive and actionable, especially off-campus.
• Judgment and discretion: ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, especially off-campus, always representing the college in a highly professional manner.
• Keen interest in and understanding of higher education nationally, as well as contemporary issues in which Ursinus can proactively and positively impact change.

Interested candidates should apply here. Once you create an applicant account, you will be prompted to upload your cover letter, resume, and a list with contact information for three references to the applicant database.

Ursinus is an EO/AA employer. Ursinus College does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or other classification protected by applicable law in the administration of any of its educational programs or activities or with respect to employment.