Communications Government Relations Director (Office of the Dean)

Communications Government Relations Director (Office of the Dean)

POSITION DETAILS

The CUNY School of Medicine (CUNY SoM) located in the heart of Harlem, New York, is the only medical school in the City University of New York system and the only public medical school in Manhattan. Building upon 50 years of success as the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, the institution transitioned to the CUNY School of Medicine (SoM) in 2016. The CUNY SoM offers an accelerated BS/MD degree (7-year program) and a Physician Assistant Master’s Degree (27 months program). True to its legacy of access, opportunity, and community transformation, the medical school’s mission remains to recruit highly talented students as diverse as New York City itself. CUNY SoM places a special emphasis on training high quality, culturally competent health professionals and scientists equipped to address the healthcare needs of New York’s medically under-served communities. As a major priority, CUNY SoM also seeks to enhance the recruitment and retention of senior leadership, faculty, and staff to more closely reflect the diversity of our student body.

SoM is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Director of Communications Government Relations . This is a full-time position reporting directly to the Executive Director of Government Relations and Community Affairs. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and CUNY leadership to advance the school’s mission and strategic initiatives by developing, maintaining, and strengthening relationships with governmental, civic, community, and nonprofit organizations.

Responsibilities of the Director will include the following:

• Actively participates in the development, coordination, and implementation of the SoM’s legislative and advocacy strategy to build relationships with elected officials and manage regulatory challenges across local, state, or federal levels; Ensures compliance with local and state lobbying rules.

• Represent SoM at government, civic, community and political events, meetings, hearings and public forums, as appropriate and in coordination with SoM leadership.

• Plan, coordinate and support meetings, briefings, site visits and campus visits with government officials, agency representatives and legislative staff, including preparation of agendas, briefing materials and follow-up action items.

• Source, evaluate and help pursue government funding, grant and appropriation opportunities, coordinating with relevant departments to support applications, submissions, compliance requirements and follow-up;

• Track and analyze legislative, regulatory and policy developments that may affect the SoM, its affiliated institutions, students, programs, operations, funding or compliance obligations.

• Advise senior leadership on government relations risks, opportunities, legislative strategy, policy positioning and appropriate engagement with public officials and agencies; Evaluates and provides subject matter expertise on key issues, including state budget and legislation.

• Establishes and cultivates relationships with community organizations and neighborhood groups, including regularly attending and representing the SoM at meetings, promoting mutual understanding and collaboration regarding community-engaged scholarship, programs, and services.

• Cultivate and manage relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders acting as initial point of contact for external stakeholders.

• Serves as a liaison between the SoM and the community, including on local boards, and assists and advises University leadership, students, staff and faculty on a myriad of topics, challenges and opportunities.

• Develops, as appropriate, member and legislative advocacy and policy communications and materials.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Government Relations, Dean, or designee.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree and eight years' related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in law, public policy, public administration, political science, government, higher education administration or a related field preferred.

• 5-8 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, legislative affairs, public policy, advocacy, higher education administration, government service or a related field.

• Strategic, proactive and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and move initiatives from concept to execution.

• Demonstrated experience working with city, state and/or federal government officials, agencies, legislative offices, lobbyists or public-sector stakeholders.

• Strong understanding of legislative, regulatory and budget processes, including the ability to track, interpret and assess policy developments affecting higher education and nonprofit institutions.

• Experience developing and executing strategic plans, managing external relationships and advising senior leaders on complex public-policy or government relations matters.

• Excellent judgment, discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive institutional, political or policy matters.

• Exceptional interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external constituencies.

• Strong writing, research, analytical and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear recommendations and action steps.

• Political acumen and sound judgment, including the ability to understand stakeholder interests, institutional priorities and reputational considerations.

• Knowledge of bill tracking systems, legislative history research, public funding processes and government affairs best practices.

• Demonstrated understanding of the SoM's mission, values, programs and institutional priorities, or the ability to quickly develop such understanding.

• Willingness and ability to attend events and meetings outside standard business hours and to travel locally, regionally or to government centers as needed.

• Knowledge of importance of addressing health inequities

• Knowledge of the importance of representation and inclusion in medicine.

• Prior experience working in a medical school or health environment.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Directs a program of communications and advocacy at Federal, State, Regional, and/or Borough levels on behalf of the College or Unit.

• Sets overall strategy to advance College or Unit programs.

• Prepares and presents positions on imperatives impacting the College/Unit and its broader constituencies.

• Monitors and coordinates legislative initiatives with potential impact.

• Represents the College/Unit with external governmental organizations.

• Serves as spokesperson for College legislative affairs and is the primary contact for legislative issues.

• Identifies and cultivates relationships with appropriate governmental entities, seeking collaborations to meet common objectives.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Communications Government Relations Director

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary Range: $95,094 - $150,770

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Please visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account and search for this vacancy using the Job ID: 33086 or Title: Communications Government Relations Director. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.

Applicants must attach a resume and cover letter.

CLOSING DATE

Open until December 4, 2026.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 33086

Location: CUNY School of Medicine

Job Type: Full-Time