Director of Government and Community Relations (52386)

The Director of Government and Community Relations serves as New Mexico Highlands University's chief strategist for governmental and community engagement. Reporting directly to the President, this position develops and advances the University's legislative, governmental, tribal, and community relations strategy in support of NMHU's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term institutional success.

The Director serves as the University's primary liaison to local, state, tribal, and federal government entities and cultivates collaborative partnerships that strengthen the University's impact across New Mexico. Working closely with the President, Cabinet, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners, the Director advances public policy priorities, identifies strategic opportunities, and promotes the University's visibility, reputation, and public value.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Government & Legislative Relations

• 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. ---

Strategic Advising

• 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.

Community & External Relations

• 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.

Institutional Collaboration

• 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

Strategic Partnership Development

• 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

Required

• 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

• 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.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• 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 University policies, state ethics requirements, lobbying regulations, and reporting obligations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of New Mexico governmental, legislative, and regulatory processes.
• Strong understanding of higher education policy, finance, governance, and public funding.
• Exceptional political judgment, diplomacy, professionalism, and discretion.
• Ability to build productive relationships across diverse political, governmental, tribal, educational, and community constituencies.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex policy issues to diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Commitment to ethical leadership, collaboration, and public service.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, communicate verbally, operate standard office equipment, and occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 25 pounds. Frequent travel throughout New Mexico is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a professional office environment with frequent travel to governmental offices, community meetings, legislative sessions, conferences, and other external events.