Director of Government and Community Relations

Job Details

Job Location:

Las Vegas , NM 87701

Position Type:
Full Time
-Reg

Education Level: Masters Degree

Salary Range: $

Job Category:
Staff

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive governmental relations strategy aligned with institutional priorities.
• Serve as the University's primary liaison to elected officials, governmental agencies, tribal governments, and higher education organizations.
• Develop and coordinate the University's annual legislative agenda in partnership with the President and institutional leadership.
• Monitor legislative activity, regulatory developments, and public policy trends affecting higher education.
• Lead the University's advocacy efforts during legislative sessions and interim committee meetings.
• Coordinate legislative visits, campus tours, policy briefings, testimony, and meetings with policymakers.
• Ensure compliance with applicable lobbying, ethics, reporting, and governmental disclosure requirements.

• Advise the President and senior leadership regarding governmental relations strategy, legislative priorities, emerging policy issues, and political developments.
• Prepare executive briefings, testimony, speeches, talking points, correspondence, and policy analyses.
• Identify opportunities to advance University priorities through legislation, appropriations, grants, public-private partnerships, and strategic collaborations.
• Anticipate emerging issues and recommend proactive strategies that position the University for long-term success.

• Develop and sustain productive relationships with municipalities, counties, tribal governments, school districts, nonprofit organizations, business leaders, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Foster respectful government-to-government relationships with tribal nations that support educational access, collaboration, and shared priorities.
• Represent the University at governmental, civic, community, and regional events.
• Promote NMHU's mission, accomplishments, and contributions throughout northern New Mexico and across the state.

• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, Advancement, Marketing & Communications, Athletics, Finance, and other divisions to ensure coordinated external engagement and consistent institutional messaging.
• Support institutional crisis response efforts involving governmental or public policy issues.
• Coordinate external advocacy initiatives that advance institutional funding, student success, research, workforce development, capital projects, and community engagement.

• Cultivate partnerships that expand educational opportunity, workforce development, economic vitality, and community impact.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen NMHU's role as a regional leader serving northern New Mexico.
• Advance initiatives that enhance the University's visibility, influence, and public trust.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, legislative affairs, public affairs, public policy, higher education administration, governmental affairs, communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building collaborative relationships with governmental officials, community leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Higher Education Administration, Law, Communications, or a closely related field.
• Experience working in or with a public institution of higher education.
• Experience working with the New Mexico Legislature or other governmental entities.
• Experience working collaboratively with tribal governments.
• Demonstrated success securing legislative appropriations, governmental funding, or strategic public partnerships.

• Successful completion of a background investigation.
• Valid driver's license and ability to maintain insurability under the University's vehicle insurance policy.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout New Mexico and occasionally outside the state.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during legislative sessions and other periods of institutional need.
• Compliance with all applicable…