Director of Government Affairs; Communications Government Relations Director

Job Title

Director of Government Affairs (Communications Government Relations Director)

31322

LaGuardia Community College

Full-Time

Regular

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens, LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States;

they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.

Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility – moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond – in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020).

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The Director of Government Affairs leads the college’s engagement with local, state, and federal government officials and agencies. The Director is responsible for advancing institutional priorities and securing funding through legislative advocacy, policy analysis, and strategic coordination with elected officials. The Director will oversee the Government Relations manager and ensure alignment of advocacy efforts with the college's mission and strategic plan.

The following duties and responsibilities are not exhaustive but illustrate the general requirement of the position. The position reports to the College’s Chief of Staff, who may direct the Director to perform duties in addition to those listed below.

• Develop and lead the college’s government relations strategy, ensuring proactive, year-round engagement with elected officials and policymakers.
• Serve as the primary liaison to government offices and legislative bodies, representing the college’s interests at public hearings, policy meetings, and budget discussions.
• Serve as a CUNY Legislative Council Member (CLAC), coordinating state and city funding opportunities and higher education advocacy with CUNY and the College.
• Track and analyze proposed legislation and public policies that affect higher education, and provide regular briefings and recommendations to college leadership.
• Partner with the President’s Office, senior staff, and institutional stakeholders to identify funding opportunities and policy initiatives that support the college’s academic, capital, and workforce development goals.
• Coordinate legislative advocacy efforts in collaboration with CUNY’s Office of Government Relations.
• Prepare materials (e.g., briefing documents, legislative testimony, and funding proposals) that support the college’s priorities.
• Lead the planning and execution of advocacy events, site visits, and campus tours for government officials.
• Represent the College through participation on key boards and committees of organizations, agencies, and government entities whose work is related to priorities of the college
• Oversee compliance with City/State/Federal lobbying regulations, ensuring timely submission of required reports.
• Supervise and support the work of the Government Relations manager and other staff, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance oversight.
• Facilitate internal awareness of key government-related developments and ensure a unified institutional voice in public policy discussions.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with legislative aides, policy analysts, and public agency staff to stay informed and to position LaGuardia appropriately before government officials.

Bachelor's…