Assoc. Vice President, Government Affair

Assoc. Vice President, Government Affairs – Marquette University

Position Overview:

The Associate Vice President, Government Affairs is responsible for developing, executing, and evolving a comprehensive, long‑term advocacy strategy that advances Marquette University’s interests at the federal, state, and local levels. The person designs innovative approaches to strengthen relationships with policymakers, community leaders, and key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the university’s mission and strategic priorities.

• Job Number: NA01534
• Employment Status:
  Full Time
• Job Family:
  External – Relations, Communications, and Marketing
• Posting Date: 12/17/2025
• Closing Date:  

• Advocacy and Policy Influence:
  Understand how Marquette’s students, faculty, staff, researchers, alumni, and friends contribute to communities and communicate these insights to key decision‑makers. Analyze high‑school, state, and federal legislation, anticipate impacts, and help determine university responses to shape or mitigate legislation.
• Develop, recommend, and execute advocacy strategies to advance institutional priorities and represent the university in policy discussions, hearings, and coalitions.
• Relationship Building:
  Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, government agencies, community and thought leaders, and build a statewide network of business and other leaders in collaboration with University Advancement.
• Strategic Planning:
  Assess trends in public opinion and policy toward higher education, build internal relationships to educate and advise Marquette colleagues, and establish metrics and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of public affairs efforts.
• Coalition & Partnership Development:
  Lead leadership and partnership with Wisconsin and national higher education organizations, engage alumni and stakeholders to raise Marquette’s brand profile among policymakers, and expand strategic partnerships to maximize university impact.
• Community Engagement:
  Expand partnerships to maximize Marquette’s ability to contribute to the world, lead initiatives to invest university resources that advance economic growth and social well‑being, and provide access to unique resources through students, faculty, and research.
• Strategic Communication:
  Craft messaging with the Office of Marketing and Communication, prepare briefing materials, testimony, reports, internal summaries and presentations, and keep stakeholders informed.
• Supervision of Staff:
  Oversee hiring, terming, performance management, and professional development of staff.

• Required:
  
  Bachelor’s degree; at least 10 years of related experience; supervisory experience; ability to inspire confidence and create an aligned working environment; drive for results; ability to challenge status quo; demonstrated strategic vision and allocation of resources; adaptability, composure, diplomacy, and tact; strong collaboration across constituencies; history of success in creating and managing policy initiatives; well‑developed network of key leaders; strong written, verbal, and negotiating skills.
• Preferred:
  Master’s degree; previous higher education experience.

Marquette University offers a competitive Total Rewards package that includes medical, dental, vision, 403(b) with up to 8% university match, generous time‑off package, and tuition benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents with no payback requirement. For more information, view https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Apply Online:  Qualified females, minorities, and special disabled veterans and other veterans are encouraged to apply.