Vice President Of Government Affairs And Community Engagement

New York University (NYU), a member of the Association for American Universities (AAU) and one of the world’s premier private institutions for academic excellence, seeks dynamic applicants for the position of Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Engagement. This Vice President will provide strategic direction for NYU’s senior leadership team, including President-Designate Linda Mills, on New York City, New York State, and federal initiatives as NYU continues to be a national leader in higher education and an engaged steward of the New York City community. The Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Engagement will build new and support existing relationships with external stakeholders across sectors including but not limited to government, business, civic, real estate, and nonprofit while serving as an internal expert on advocacy and external relations. They will continue the strong ties between the university and local, state, and federal elected and appointed officials. The responsibilities for this role do not include NYU Langone Health, which is comprised of Langone Hospitals, the NYU Long Island School of Medicine, and the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

With over 65,000 students, just under 5,000 full-time faculty, over 12,000 staff, and a budget of $15 billion, NYU is, cumulatively, the nation’s largest private university. NYU has built a rare platform equipped to nurture curiosity, creativity, build connections, and courageously engage with the most confounding and intractable issues of the twenty-first century. Arguably the world’s most globally expansive university with degree-granting campuses in New York City, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai plus twelve global academic centers of undergraduate study on six continents, NYU is American in character, embedded in leading cities on three continents, and shaped by the dynamism of New York City in its ethos.
Linda G. Mills will become the 17th President of NYU on July 1, 2023. Dr. Mills is the Lisa Ellen Goldberg Professor of Social Work, Public Policy, and Law at NYU. She is also the Executive Director of the NYU Center on Violence and Recovery. She has been NYU’s Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Provost for Global Programs and University Life since 2012. In 2002, she was named Vice Provost (and in 2006 Senior Vice Provost) for Undergraduate Education and University Life.

The Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Engagement (VP) will provide strategic vision and leadership to ensure that NYU is actively engaged with legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and community groups. The VP will oversee two seasoned teams: Government Affairs and Community Engagement. Reporting to NYU’s Chief of Staff and working closely with President-Designate Mills, this vital role will provide leadership and expertise in the development and implementation of NYU’s advocacy and legislative priorities.
The VP will:

• Supervise external consultants that assist with advocacy and legislative communications
• Collaborate with external affairs colleagues across the country to stay informed of best practices and trends in higher education
• Build new and support existing relationships with external stakeholders across sectors including but not limited to government, business, civic, real estate, and nonprofit
• Address and coordinate responses to challenges to NYU’s operations posed by administrative or legislative actions
• Anticipate external threats and develop strategies to address those
• Build out and support both the Government Affairs and Community Engagement teams as they handle day-to-day operations, while leading discussions on NYU’s long-term strategic external affairs goals
• Oversee the design and implementation of policies and programs that enhance the NYU's reputation in the community
• Encourage and enhance cross school/cross departmental communication while serving as a resource and giving guidance to NYU colleagues on how to navigate various legislative processes
• Provide leadership to and works collaboratively with administrative and academic leadership on relevant local, state, and federal issues and legislation, including legislative budget and research advocacy
• Serve as an enthusiastic, authentic, and approachable representative of NYU to the local NYC community as well as city and state leaders
• Work closely with colleagues in public affairs to ensure clear and consistent messaging of NYU’s strategic priorities

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in a related field

10+ years relevant experience in government affairs, including strategic leadership and managerial responsibilities.

Professional experience in New York City and/or state government is valued as is having worked as a leader in a highly matrixed and decentralized organization

The next Vice President for Government Affairs and Community Engagement should have:

• A commitment to centering diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging
• Exceptional judgment and a high level of emotional intelligence including the ability to observe organizational dynamics and support a positive organizational culture
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as persuasive presentation and public speaking skills
• Passion for serving as a representative of NYU to city, state, and community leaders
• Experience as a problem solver who can mediate resolutions between differing interests, both internally and externally
• The ability to quickly learn a new, complex organization and develop relationships across departments and teams
• Ability to think strategically, build consensus, influence decisions, manage change, articulate priorities, and execute plans for government affairs and community engagement
• Accuracy and attention to detail in managing multiple initiatives and priorities, along with experience in simultaneously implementing projects and events across multiple time frames (short-, mid-, and long-term)
• Enthusiasm for managing across, up, and down while advocating for priorities of NYU’s senior leadership and the Government Affairs and Community Engagement teams
• A demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, engage and inspire a team including hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing team members while supporting ongoing team communication and cross-collaboration
• Strong communication skills to inform university stakeholders about the advocacy environment, and to partner with and support internal stakeholders without government experience
• A deep understanding of New York City and State government structures and processes, with federal knowledge and global fluency a plus
• Ability to handle highly sensitive information and confidential documents appropriately

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is USD $425,000 to $495,000. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, clinical compensation, or other items.
NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/nyugreen.
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