careers

Associate Vice President for Government Relations

Apply now Job no: 557743
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Stanislaus - Turlock
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)
Position Description

    • Position Summary
    • Full-time position under the Management Personnel Plan (MPP) available on or after September 1, 2026 in the Office of the President.



      This position’s responsibilities are carried out independently under general direction. Provides strategic leadership for the University’s government relations and public policy functions. Serves as the chief government relations officer and principal advisor to the President and Cabinet on legislative, regulatory, and political matters affecting the University. Supports executive leadership and campus stakeholders in advancing student success, workforce development, research, and the acquisition of public resources essential to the University’s long-term vitality through effective governmental engagement.

      Develops and advances advocacy strategies aligned with institutional and CSU priorities; represents the University with local, state, and federal officials; and supports efforts to secure public funding and strengthen external partnerships. Ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations and aligns government relations activities with University Advancement and external affairs.



    • Job Duties
    • Duties include but are not limited to:
      • Serve as the primary liaison to local, state, and federal elected officials and government agencies.
      • Represent the University in governmental, community, and systemwide forums.
      • Coordinate campus visits, briefings, and events involving public officials.
      • Build and sustain strategic relationships with policymakers, community leaders, and external partners.
      • Coordinate University participation in CSU systemwide advocacy efforts.
      • Lead and coordinate advocacy visits to Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
      • Engage external stakeholders to advance workforce development and regional priorities.
      • Support collaboration with internal stakeholders to align advocacy with institutional priorities.
      • Coordinate and facilitate engagement between University leadership and government officials, including meetings, briefings, and communications.
      • Facilitate engagement with CSU leadership, including the Chancellor’s Office and Board of Trustees.
      • Represent the University at community forums, public events, and regional convenings.
      • Provide strategic leadership for the University’s government relations and advocacy functions.
      • Serve as principal advisor to the President and Cabinet on legislative, regulatory, and public policy matters.
      • Develop and implement comprehensive advocacy strategies aligned with institutional and CSU priorities.
      • Advise senior leadership on political dynamics, risk assessment, and policy implications.
      • Lead institution-wide initiatives in support of governmental and public policy priorities.
      • Establish frameworks to assess effectiveness of advocacy and government relations efforts.
      • Provide counsel to senior leadership on emerging legislative trends, policy developments, and potential impacts to the University.
      • Contribute to institutional positioning, external engagement strategy, and long-term planning efforts.
      • Identify, pursue, and advance public funding opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels.
      • Coordinate development of legislative proposals, budget requests, and policy positions.
      • Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory activity impacting the University.
      • Ensure compliance with all applicable lobbying, ethics, and reporting requirements.
      • Align government relations efforts with University Advancement and institutional resource strategies.
      • Develop tracking and reporting tools for legislative activity and advocacy outcomes.
      • Utilize data and analytics to inform advocacy strategy and decision-making.
      • Support coordination of advocacy-related travel, briefings, and engagement activities.
      • Prepare and coordinate development of issue briefs, funding proposals, and advocacy materials.
      • Establish metrics and reporting mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of government relations efforts.
      • Other duties as assigned.
    • Minimum Qualifications
    • Education:  Bachelor’s degree required in related field.  (Additional progressively responsible experience directly related to the duties of the position may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

      Experience:  Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, public affairs, policy advocacy, or a related field.

    • Preferred Qualifications

      • Master’s degree or terminal degree from an accredited institution strongly preferred.
      • Experience working in a higher education or complex public-sector environment, preferably within the California State University system.
      • Experience securing public funding or advancing legislative or policy initiatives at the local, state, or federal level.
      • Experience supporting institutions serving diverse student populations, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
      • Familiarity with issues affecting regional universities, including workforce development and economic mobility.
      • Experience aligning government relations with advancement, communications, or external affairs functions.
      • Experience representing an organization in systemwide, governmental, or external forums.
      • Experience managing or coordinating complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
    • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

      • Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and standards within government relations, public affairs, and legislative processes.
      • Knowledge of strategic planning, organizational development, and institutional policy implementation.
      • Knowledge of public policy development, governmental budgeting, and regulatory environments affecting higher education.
      • Ability to develop and implement divisional policies and procedures.
      • Ability to align operational objectives with institutional and systemwide strategic goals.
      • Ability to oversee complex programs and integrate multiple initiatives related to governmental relations and advocacy.
      • Ability to manage financial, human, and organizational resources in support of programmatic goals.
      • Ability to lead initiatives and guide staff or cross-functional teams.
      • Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and advance strategic advocacy initiatives.
      • Ability to analyze legislative, regulatory, and institutional data and apply findings to strategic decision-making.
      • Skill in executive-level communication, presentations, and reporting.
      • Ability to build effective partnerships across divisions and with elected officials, government agencies, and external entities.
      • Ability to exercise broad discretion and sound judgment in high-impact and politically sensitive situations.
    • Physical Requirements
    • The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
      • Position will be required to travel.
    • Salary Range
    • Anticipated starting salary will be $12,750 - $16,675 per month plus excellent paid benefits.  Salary will depend on the qualifications of the successful finalist.  

    • Compensation & Benefits
    • Commensurate with qualifications and experience.  As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, outstanding vacation, health, dental, and vision plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year. Link to Benefits Summary: CSU Employee Benefit Summary

    • How to Apply
    • To be considered, qualified candidates must submit a completed Stanislaus State online employment application, cover letter, and resumé. Applications are accepted electronically only.  Please note that failure to completely fill out each section of the online application may result in your application not receiving consideration.  To apply online, please click the “Apply Now” button on this page.
    • Application Deadline
    • OPEN UNTIL FILLED; SCREENING TO BEGIN ON OR AFTER JUNE 5, 2026. (Applications received after the screening date will be considered at the discretion of the university.)

    • Background Clearance Notice
    • Satisfactory completion of a background check (which includes checks of employment records, education records, criminal records, civil records; and may include motor vehicle records, professional licenses, and sex offender registries, as position requires) is required for employment.  CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

      Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

    • Additional Information
    • Campus & Area

      California State University, Stanislaus serves the San Joaquin Valley and is a critical educational resource for a six-county region of approximately 1.5 million people. The University is fully committed to creating a culture of diversity and inclusion – one in which every person in the University community feels safe to express their views without fear of reprisal. Widely recognized for its quality academic programs, the University has 10 nationally accredited programs and 662 faculty members. 94 percent of full-time faculty holds doctorates or terminal degrees in their fields. The University offers 43 undergraduate majors, 16 master's programs, 7 post-graduate credentials, a doctorate in education and serves more than 10,000 students. New instructional facilities have been built for the unique pedagogy of professional programs, laboratory sciences and performing arts.

      Stanislaus State continues to receive national recognition with its ranking as one of the best 384 colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review. The University was one of 12 public universities in the nation to be recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for demonstrating exceptional performance in retention and graduation rates. In addition, U.S. News and World Report ranks Stanislaus State in its top 10 among public universities in the West, while Washington Monthly honored Stanislaus State as the West’s No. 1 university for the money. Stanislaus State also is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.

      Clery Act Disclosure

      Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the annual security report (ASR), is now available for viewing at https://www.csustan.edu/annual-campus-security-report. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Stanislaus State for the previous three years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the office of the Clery Director located at One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382.

      Equal Employment Opportunity

      The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.  The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised 7/21/17, as a condition of employment.

      Applicants requiring necessary accommodations to the application process may contact the Human Resources Department at (209) 667-3351.  California Relay Service is available at (800) 735-2922 voice and (800) 735-2929 TDD.  As a federal contractor, we are committed to attracting a diverse applicant pool.  Please consider completing the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form (your response will not be shared with the search committee) at:  Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability PDF Form.

      CSU Stanislaus hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

      The CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. The CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.

    •  

    • The individuals who appear to be the best qualified for this position will be contacted by telephone or email for an interview.

      INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

       

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