A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The University of Michigan-Flint is seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as the Director of Government and Community Relations. The Director will strategically advance the institution's public policy agenda, strengthen community partnerships, support economic development, protect institutional interests, and enhance the university's reputation with external stakeholders. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, the Director of Government and Community Relations will partner with all areas of the Flint campus leadership on best practices and strategic initiatives in support of the campus goals and vision.

The Director of Government and Community Relations will strategically lead the Office of Government and Community Relations in direct relationship management, strategy, program development and activities to engage government and community stakeholders to benefit University of Michigan Flint priorities and objectives. This leader serves as the university's primary liaison to local, state, and federal government officials while cultivating meaningful partnerships with business, nonprofit, education, healthcare, and the region's civic organizations and those in surrounding neighborhoods. The Director will identify opportunities to advance priorities and relationships, will facilitate and lead special projects involving internal and external stakeholders, and will shape and manage the deployment of university resources to advance government and community relationships. 

Information about our vision, mission and values can be found here.

Areas of Responsibility and Accountability 
Under general supervision and working in collaboration with the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, the Director of Government and Community Relations will be responsible and accountable for a portfolio of activities, including, but not limited to:

Government Relations - Relationship Management: Serve as a consistent point of contact for legislators and government offices at federal, state and local levels. Develop and maintain effective relationships, enlisting campus and leadership as needed. Maintain UM-Flint's visibility with government officials and staff through regular communication, campus engagement, and coordinated outreach, serving as the primary liaison for government agencies, commissions, and offices.

Government Relations - Advocacy: Monitor legislative, funding and regulatory developments; develop recommendations and develop and implement information and advocacy strategies to obtain substantial state and local earmarks to support university priorities. Consult and advise leadership on legislative developments; enlist partners and colleagues across campus as information sources and spokespersons as appropriate. Work with colleagues at University of Michigan and other Michigan Association of State University (MASU) institutions to monitor developments, shape agenda for action, and develop collective strategies as appropriate. 

Community Affairs - Relationship Management: Provide oversight and manage the coordination of key liaisonships between community organizations, neighborhood groups and the University. Respond to inquiries from community and national organizations (e.g., American Heart Association). Maintain a comprehensive view of university relationships and help organizations connect with partners on campus and vice versa. Help organizations connect with partners on campus and vice versa. Maintain contact directory of organizations and partners. Ensure coordination of sponsorship, leadership engagement/board service, and other University support requests. Represent the University and/or identify appropriate representatives across campus for priority partnerships. 

Community Affairs - Programming: Support and/or lead university-wide programs and partnerships that engage neighborhood and community organizations. Coordinate public events intended to benefit community residents (e.g., speaker events, etc.). Collaborate between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.

Internal Steward: Proactively support internal and external community connections. Develop and manage an internal advisory council - includes partners who have on the ground working relationships and perspectives about relationships and community involvement (outreach, faculty, students, public safety, residence life). As needed, help connect the community relations agenda to the Citizens' Advisory Committee to seek input and  advice on important community issues, support for community engagement strategies, and identification of needed allies for the University. 

A complete job description can be found here

• Master's degree or bachelor's degree with the requisite experience in organizational development, nonprofit management, public administration/planning or comparable sector. 
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in government, organizational/program development or nonprofit management. 
• Experience with and knowledge of the legislative and policy process and operations at state and local level
• Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills 
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and achieve results within timeline and financial parameters. 
• Strong relationship-building skills, including the demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive connections and advance priority interests and goals. 
• Excellent judgment and integrity, ability to make strategic decisions in complicated situations, seeking guidance and input when appropriate.
• Strong facilitation skills to engage a broad group of diverse stakeholders from grassroots to leadership levels.
• Ability to develop and use data and analysis to inform strategy and decisions. 
• Position requires the successful candidate to be able to travel, including out of town and state, for appropriate meetings.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future.

Benefits include: 

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months of eligible service with immediate vesting.
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Eligibility for benefits based on your job group, your appointment percentage and the length of your appointment. Learn more about employee benefits and eligibility from the UM Human Resources Benefits and Wellness webpage. 

UM-Flint offers tuition support for eligible UM-Flint staff members. In addition, UM-Flint offers dependent tuition support (DTS) for qualified dependents of faculty and staff from all UM campuses. Information can be found at: https://www.umflint.edu/hr/benefits/.

Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: https://www.umflint.edu/chancellor/mission-vision-leadership/

Hybrid:
The work requirements allow both onsite and offsite work and an employee has an expected recurring onsite presence. On occasion, the employee may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by unit leadership or their designee and/or the job requirements.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department.  Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes here.
 

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.