Associate Vice Chancellor Government & Community Relations, Chancellor's Office

Associate Vice Chancellor for Government & Community Relations, Chancellor's Office (5995U) #89316

At the University of California, Berkeley , we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Mac Arthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond.

Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth . We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and providing space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

The Office of Government and Community Relations (GCR) advances the University’s mission by developing and maintaining strong relationships with governmental agencies, elected officials, Tribal governments and organizations, community stakeholders, and advocacy partners. The office supports institutional priorities through legislative advocacy, public policy analysis, strategic communications, and community engagement. As part of the Chancellor’s office, GCR works to demonstrate the value of UC Berkeley as the nation’s leading public research University to elected officials, government agencies, the local community, and public at large.

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Government & Community Relations (AVC GCR) serves as a senior strategic advisor and relationship manager responsible for advancing institutional priorities through engagement with local, state, federal, and Tribal governmental entities, community organizations, and external stakeholders. Reporting directly to the Chancellor at UC Berkeley, this position develops and implements government and community relations strategies, provides policy analysis and advocacy support, and represents the institution before governmental and public bodies.

The position manages complex governmental, legislative, regulatory, and community engagement activities that support the University’s mission, strategic priorities, research agenda, and public service objectives. The incumbent manages high-profile and sensitive issues, cultivates strategic partnerships, and provides executive-level guidance regarding political, legislative, and policy matters affecting the institution. This role requires substantial political acumen, exceptional communication and relationship management skills, and extensive knowledge of governmental processes and higher education policy.

UC Berkeley and UC System stakeholders described the role as a strategic, collaborative, and relationship-driven executive with nuanced political judgment and organizational leadership to serve as a trusted advisor to the Chancellor and the Chancellor's Cabinet plus other executives. The person will demonstrate the ability to build and sustain trusted partnerships across government, the university, and surrounding communities while navigating Berkeley's complex, decentralized, and shared-governance environment.

Stakeholders emphasized the importance of strategic thinking, strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, sound judgment, resilience, and the ability to lead and develop a high-performing team effectively. Stakeholders also emphasized a commitment to Berkeley's public mission and the ability to position Government & Community Relations as a proactive, coordinated, and strategic partner…