Director of Government Relations & Partnerships

Position Summary

Department: Office of the Superintendent

Reports To: Superintendent of Schools

Classification: Executive / Cabinet-level, exempt

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Year: 12 months

Bernalillo Public Schools (BPS) serves seven Pueblo communities and is home to the Spartans. The Director of Government Relations & Partnerships is a cabinet-level position responsible for connecting BPS to funding opportunities through government, philanthropy, and other sources, and for spearheading strategic partnerships with private and government entities to advance district goals. The Director works closely with the Superintendent and executive leadership team to build BPS's capacity for external funding, government engagement, and institutional marketing.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as BPS's primary liaison to federal, state, county, and municipal government offices and agencies, and to the Pueblo governments served by the district.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue funding opportunities through government grants, philanthropy, and other sources aligned with district priorities.
• Lead or coordinate grant proposal development in partnership with relevant departments, including Curriculum & Instruction, Indian Education, and Finance.
• Track secured funding and support compliance and reporting obligations in coordination with the Finance office.
• Develop and formalize partnerships with private companies, nonprofit organizations, and government entities to advance district goals such as facilities, programming, workforce development, and student opportunity.
• Negotiate and manage Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and other partnership agreements in coordination with district legal counsel.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting BPS funding and operations, and advise the Superintendent and Board accordingly.
• Lead institutional marketing and communication strategy, including the development of materials such as proposals, one-pagers, and presentations that communicate BPS's mission, needs, and impact to external audiences.
• Coordinate with district communications staff to ensure funding announcements and partnership news are integrated into district messaging.
• Use data analysis to track organizational and programmatic trends, and prepare reports that support funding proposals, legislative strategy, and capital planning.
• Provide regular updates to the Superintendent and Board of Education on funding pipeline status, government relations activity, and partnership outcomes.
• Represent BPS at government, philanthropic, and community meetings and events as directed by the Superintendent.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience working alongside executive leadership in government relations and institutional marketing.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with government agencies, philanthropic organizations, or private-sector partners.
• Experience working within New Mexico public institutions (state government, higher education, or public schools) and familiarity with the state's policy and regulatory environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare proposals, presentations, and public-facing materials.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and relationships simultaneously with a high degree of independence and sound judgment.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally, regionally, and occasionally out of state.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a senior institutional role spanning government affairs, marketing, and communications within a New Mexico public institution.
• Experience working with Tribal governments and Pueblo communities, or demonstrated cultural competency in Native/Indigenous community engagement.
• Track record of securing government or foundation grant funding.
• Experience in K-12 public education, higher education, or another public-sector setting.
• Experience navigating personnel and employee-relations matters, including familiarity with collective bargaining frameworks within a unionized public workforce.
• Experience using data analysis to inform strategic decisions and to support legislative or capital-planning reports.
• Familiarity with New Mexico state government, legislative processes, and public school funding formulas.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of government relations practices at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Knowledge of grant-seeking, grant management, and philanthropic funding processes.
• Skill in relationship-building and negotiation with diverse public, private, and Tribal stakeholders.
• Skill in institutional marketing, proposal writing, and public communication.
• Skill in leveraging data tools and analysis to identify trends and inform strategic decisions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership, the Board of Education, and district departments.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality on sensitive matters.
• Ability to represent BPS professionally and effectively to external partners and the community.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Primarily an office environment with regular local and regional travel to meetings, government offices, and community events.
• Occasional evening or weekend work required for Board meetings, community events, or partner engagements.
• Ability to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry materials (e.g., presentation materials, event supplies) up to 25 pounds as needed.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position may supervise support staff assigned to government relations, grants, or partnership functions as the office grows, subject to Board-approved staffing.

Application Requirements

• Completed BPS application
• Current resume/CV
• Letter of interest addressing relevant government relations and institutional marketing experience
• Official transcripts confirming Bachelor's degree
• Three professional references

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bernalillo Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities.