Director, Government Relations

Position Title

Director, Government Relations

Requisition Number

SCA00888

General Description

Reporting to the Chief of Staff and Vice President of Partnerships, the Director, Government Relations provides leadership in the development and execution of comprehensive legislative and governmental relations strategies that advance the College’s mission, strategic plan, and institutional priorities. This role serves as the College’s primary point of contact for federal, state (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania), regional, and local government entities and works collaboratively across the College to promote public policy initiatives that support student success, workforce development, and community engagement.

Consistent with government affairs roles across higher education institutions in Pennsylvania, the Director monitors legislative and regulatory activity, manages advocacy efforts, supports public funding and appropriations initiatives, builds relationships with elected officials and agencies, and ensures the College’s interests are effectively represented before governmental bodies.

#ID23

College Intro

Success starts at Community College of Philadelphia. Innovators and difference makers work at Community College of Philadelphia. Diversity thrives at Community College of Philadelphia. We are a college that is committed to promoting a work environment that attracts and retains talented and diverse faculty and staff. We challenge each other and ourselves to achieve at the highest level while contributing to the mission of the College and the betterment of Philadelphia. We value and support an intellectually dynamic community to prepare our students for global citizenship. Join us and become a part of a community that has long been and will continue to be generators of generational chance in this city and beyond.

Community College of Philadelphia is an open-admission, associate-degree-granting institution which provides access to higher education for all who may benefit. Its programs of study in the liberal arts and sciences, career technologies, and basic academic skills provide a coherent foundation for college transfer, employment and lifelong learning. The College serves Philadelphia by preparing its students to be informed and concerned citizens, active participants in the cultural life of the city, and enabled to meet the changing needs of business, industry and the professions. To help address broad economic, cultural and political concerns in the city and beyond, the College draws together students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds and seeks to provide the programs and support they need to achieve their goals.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of legislative and governmental relations strategies aligned with the College’s mission, strategic direction, and priorities as established by the President and Executive Leadership.
• Advance the College’s priorities at the federal, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, regional, county, and municipal levels by cultivating relationships with elected officials, appointed leaders, regulatory agencies, and their staff.
• Serve as the College’s primary liaison to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Governor’s Office, state agencies (including the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Department of Labor & Industry), and local governmental entities.
• Advocate for public funding, appropriations, grants, and policy initiatives that support higher education, workforce development, and community-based programming.
• Monitor, analyze, and interpret legislation, regulations, and public policy trends at the federal, state, and local levels, and assess potential impacts on College operations, finances, and programs.
• Provide timely briefings and strategic guidance to the President, Chief of Staff, and Executive Team regarding legislative developments, risks, and opportunities.
• Represent the College, as directed by leadership, with members of Congress, state legislators, governors’ offices, county executives, mayors, regulatory agencies, and relevant government organizations.
• Coordinate and manage the College’s advocacy efforts, including lobbying activities, legislative visits, campus tours for elected officials, and participation in coalitions and higher education associations.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop policy briefs, legislative testimony, talking points, and rapid-response communications targeted to policymakers and community stakeholders.
• Serve as a liaison between legislative bodies and the College, responding to inquiries, coordinating information requests, and ensuring consistent messaging.
• In collaboration with the office of Events and Community Relations, plan and execute events, forums, and advocacy initiatives that support government relations goals and promote the College’s visibility with policymakers.
• Participate actively in relevant state and national associations related to higher education, workforce development, and public policy.
• Review internal policies, programs, and initiatives to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and laws.
• Collaborate with academic departments, workforce development, student services, and community partners to align institutional initiatives with government funding opportunities and policy priorities.
• Maintain awareness of economic development, workforce, and education trends across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to position the College as a key public partner.
• Perform duties in a manner consistent with the mission, goals, and core values of the College.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Five (5) or more years of experience in government relations, public policy, legislative affairs, or advocacy required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Pennsylvania legislative and regulatory processes required.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and strategic planning skills required.
• Experience working with appropriations, public funding, or policy advocacy required.
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills required.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required.
• Ability to travel, as needed, required.
• An understanding of, and sensitivity to, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college staff and students required.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, law, political science, or related field preferred.
• Higher education or public sector experience strongly preferred.
  
  

Work Location:

Main Campus

Benefits

Benefits Summary:

“Success Starts Here” at Community College of Philadelphia. We recognize that our success as a college and the success of our students starts with our employees. Our employees are vital to our success. Our total compensation package includes a comprehensive offer of benefits that are unrivaled by most.

Full-time Faculty And Staff Benefits Include

• College-paid medical, dental, drug, life and disability insurance
• Tuition remission (for classes at the college)
• Forgivable tuition loan (for classes at any accredited academic institution)
• 403(b) retirement plan with 10% College contribution with employee contribution 5%
• Flexible spending accounts
• Paid vacation, holiday and personal time
• Partial remote work schedule for remote work eligible positions
  
  

Additional College Benefits

• Winter break: 1 week around the third week in December and New Years
• Spring Break: 1 week in March
• Summer Hours: 4-day work week (closed on Fridays) from the 2nd week in May through the 3rd week in August
  
  

For More information about the College benefits and eligibility based on employee class, please visit:https://www.myccp.online/human-resources/benefits-eligibility

Salary Grade Or Rank

6

Min Salary/Hourly Rate

$ 82,884

Max Salary/Hourly Rate

$ 136,760

Job Posting Open Date

02/27/2026

Type Of Position

Administrator

Employment Status

Full-Time

Special Instructions To Applicants

Interested candidates should complete an online application.

• Cover Letter of interest and resume required.
• Name and contact information of 3 references required.
• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of background checks in accordance with PA Child Protective Services Law.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the U.S.
  
  

Community College of Philadelphia is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran or any other status protected by law, in matters pertaining to employment.