Executive Director For External Affairs

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is seeking a Executive Director for External Affairs.

As a regional university, UNC Pembroke is known for small classes, close interaction with faculty, community involvement, and diversity. Small classes—20 is the average class size—and a solid student-faculty ratio create a context for personalized teaching, learning, and research. Federal and state grants support several undergraduate research and STEM programs. Affordability is another key asset that has earned UNC Pembroke inclusion on national rankings such as U.S. News & World Report's “Short Lists” and “Best Colleges and Universities.” The university has been named to the President's Community Service Honor Roll several times. Additionally, the Carnegie Foundation awarded the school the prestigious Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement. UNC Pembroke is “North Carolina's Historically American Indian University” and has been identified by U.S. News & World Report as the most diverse regional university in the South. The university's diversity extends beyond race and ethnicity to include non-traditional students, first-generation students, and armed forces personnel. In its first “Best Colleges for Veterans” publication (November 2013), U.S. News & World Report put UNC Pembroke in the top 20 among regional universities in the South, the only regional public university in North Carolina to make the list. Similarly, G.I. Jobs, Military Times, and Military Advanced Education magazines recognized UNC Pembroke as a top “military friendly” college in the nation for its work on the nearby Fort Bragg Army base and with its students who are affiliated with the military—as enlisted or retired service members and their dependents.

he position will report directly to the Chancellor.

The Executive Director for External Affairs must have a commitment and ability to travel frequently to meetings and special events in the university's service region, Raleigh, NC, and Washington, DC, and other areas as needed. Some of the travel will be for extended periods of time. Meeting and special event times will often be in the evenings and on weekends and the Executive Director must be available.

The Executive Director must have a demonstrated ability in organizational planning and strategy development. Experience in legislative or governmental affairs at the federal, state or local levels is preferred for this position. Commitment to teamwork and consensus-building, with a demonstrated ability to partner and lead through influences, across organizational lines. The position will have to coordinate and facilitate advocacy efforts of multiple University bodies targeted at State-level issues and support. This includes gaining involvement and participation from members of the university's Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, Alumni Board, Braves Club Board, as well as the Student Government Association on issues of concern.

The position will establish positive personal and institutional relationships with local elected representative/administrators at the local, county, state, and federal governmental level. This relationship building should also take place with regional American Indian tribes, economic development entities, non-profits, and civic organizations.

The Executive Director will be expected to have a visible and consistent presence at local, county, and relevant regional American Indian tribal meetings, special events, and functions. The position will work to create an effective education legislative agenda with all American Indian tribes in NC, and to report at the quarterly NC Commission of Indian Affairs.

The Executive Director will be expected to communicate to campus constituents in a timely manner any important discussions, policy changes, or action items that occurred at meetings, special events or functions attended.

The position will work collaboratively with the Office of the UNC System President on legislative advocacy in support of the Board of Governors' legislative agenda and budget request to the General Assembly. Represent the Chancellor in relationships with elected representatives and the staff of state and federal officials. The position will serve as the university's representative on the State Relations Council.

In cooperation with the UNC System Government Relations staff, identify strategies for recognition and stewardship of legislative supporters at the federal and state levels. The Executive Director will work in conjunction with the university's Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs to assist with federal contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with federal agencies and organizations.

The position will prepare briefings, white papers, and presentations for the Chancellor's Office that will require exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal skills.

This position will be expected to work in consultation with the Chancellor to achieve the goals of the strategic political relations plan. This position will also represent the Chancellor and the university at various meetings with elected officials.

The Executive Director will be assigned other projects and responsibilities that are deemed critical to the Chancellor. These projects and/or responsibilities would often be cross divisional and would include working closely with other university vice-chancellors or other senior administrators. Examples of responsibilities could include meeting with prospective donors, representing the university at various functions, educating alumni on critical higher education issues, serving on various university committees, overseeing volunteer efforts on behalf of the university, planning special events on campus, assisting in the planning and coordination of Board of Trustees meetings, and other duties as assigned.

Candidate must demonstrate strong values such as UNCP's core values, communication, collaboration, accountability, integrity, innovation and service. Previous experience in a comparable position in a university or college setting or an organization of comparable size and complexity is preferred.

Position requires unquestioned personal integrity. Previous experience in a comparable position in a university or college setting or an organization of comparable size and complexity is preferred.

Note: This positions is designated a Mandatory Employee. Mandatory Employees: Employees whose presence has been determined to be mandatory to University operations during certain types of adverse weather or emergency events.



Minimum Training and Experience Requirements:
•Bachelor's Degree Required
•Master's Degree or terminal degree preferred in Education Leadership, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Journalism, Writing, Management, Juris Doctorate, or closely related fields.
•Previous experience in communications, legislative matters, proposal writing, alumni relations, working with volunteer organizations and/or development preferred.
•A minimum of three years in communication, marketing, legislative, fundraising, or governmental experience with proven success of representing an organization to outside entities.
•Preference for state government relations and advocacy experience including strategy development, constituent outreach, and targeted communications.
•Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
•A clear understanding and appreciation of the role of a regional state university and commitment to its philosophy, mission and objectives.
• A team player who understands and accepts the necessity for working toward a common goal with, poise, initiative and flexibility.
•Ability to travel and work nights and weekends as required.

Management Preferences: Previous experience in a comparable position in a university or college setting or an organization of comparable size and complexity is preferred.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

This position is subject to the successful completion of an employment background check. An employment background check includes a criminal background check, employment verification, reference checks, license verification (if applicable) and credit history check (if applicable).

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

New employees are paid only by direct deposit to the financial institution of their choice. Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 as a part of the online application process.

UNC Pembroke is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibits discrimination against all individuals based on their age, race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and national origin. UNC Pembroke is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and seeks priority referrals of protected veterans for our openings.

 


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