Senior Advisor to the President for Public Affairs and Strategic Communications

The Senior Advisor to the President for Public Affairs and Strategic Communications serves as the President's principal advisor on public affairs, governmental relations, executive communications, and institutional strategy.

Operating in a complex civic, municipal, state, and federal environment, this role provides strategic counsel to advance institutional priorities and strengthen the College's public voice. The Senior Advisor serves as the official College spokesperson and ensures clarity, coherence, and alignment in institutional communications and external engagement.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Advise the President on public positioning, legislative dynamics, and emerging policy developments.
• Shape and guide major institutional narratives that support student success and mission advancement.
• Coordinate the College's engagement with municipal, state, and federal stakeholders.
• Represent the President and the College at public meetings and external events as appropriate.
• Lead development of presidential speeches, statements, and high-level communications.
• Serve as official College spokesperson and guide media strategy.
• Provide leadership in crisis communications planning and response.
• Coordinate cross-divisional communications initiatives and special projects.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in communications, public administration, public policy, journalism, higher education leadership, or related field required; or a bachelor's degree with significant senior-level professional experience demonstrating comparable expertise.
• 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in public affairs, communications, governmental relations, or executive leadership support.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior executives.
• Experience navigating legislative and public policy environments.
• Experience serving as an organizational spokesperson.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic judgment and political acumen.
• Exceptional writing and executive communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex issues into clear and compelling narratives.
• High discretion and professional integrity.
• Strong relationship-building skills across internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience in higher education or the public sector preferred.

Additional Information:
Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Applications Due by: April 16, 2026
Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as noted above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience has prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

Please note that as a condition of employment, the final candidate will undergo Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background screenings in accordance with state regulations. The results of these screenings may impact the hiring decision.

Application Instructions:
To be considered for this position please upload the following documents to your account:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Please be sure to address the Required Qualifications in your documents.