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Job description
Vice President for Government and Community Affairs
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
The Opportunity
Georgia State University (GSU) seeks a dynamic, politicallysophisticated, and highly strategic leader to serve as VicePresident for Government and Community Affairs. This is a rareopportunity to shape the policy, funding, and civic engagementagenda of one of the nation's most innovative public researchuniversities, nationally recognized for pioneering student success,advancing social mobility, and driving research and communityimpact.
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, just blocks from theGeorgia State Capitol, GSU occupies a uniquely influential positionat the intersection of higher education, government, and economicdevelopment. The university's proximity to the center of stategovernment, combined with its deep integration into the fabric ofAtlanta's business and civic ecosystem, enables it to play anoutsized role in shaping policy and advancing initiatives thatimpact the state of Georgia and beyond.
The university's downtown campus, five Perimeter College campuses,and Buckhead Executive Education Center enable a broad regionalimpact and strong connections to the state's civic and policylandscape.
Reporting directly to the President and serving on the President'sCabinet, the Vice President will serve as the university's chiefstrategist and advocate for all government relations and communityengagement efforts. This leader will help amplify GSU's voice,strengthen its influence, and advance its mission as a leadingresearch university committed to opportunity, innovation, andimpact. This role will work collaboratively with our Vice Presidentfor Research and Economic Development, as well as all cabinetmembers and college deans, to support the work of economicdevelopment in state government and local municipalities.
About Georgia State University
Georgia State University is a nationally recognized leader intransforming higher education through innovation. With one of themost diverse student bodies in the country and a proven model forimproving graduation rates and closing achievement gaps, GSU hasbecome a national model for promoting student success atscale.
With our new strategic plan, Blueprint to 2033 , we havea renewed focus on identity and placemaking, student success,research and creative excellence, and preparing students formeaningful careers and civic leadership.
As a public research university located in the heart of downtown,GSU plays a central role in Atlanta's continued growth as a globalcity. Its students, faculty, and research enterprise contributedirectly to workforce development, economic mobility, and solutionsto complex city challenges—from public health to education accessto economic development.
Georgia State plays a significant role in populating the workforcein our region, with nearly 80% of our graduates remaining in ourstate to work. Finally, our momentum is propelled by extraordinarycommunity support, including an unprecedented transformational $80Mgift from the Woodruff Family Foundation and a historic $600Mcapital campaign with most of the dollars already committed.
The Role
The Vice President for Government and Community Affairs will lead acomprehensive, high-impact strategy that integrates governmentrelations, community engagement, and external advocacy in supportof the university's strategic priorities. The role requires asophisticated understanding of the policy landscape, strongpolitical acumen, and the ability to operate effectively at theintersection of higher education, state government, and municipalleadership.
This executive will serve as the principal liaison to the GeorgiaGeneral Assembly, the Governor's Office, the state's congressionaldelegation, and key federal agencies, while also cultivating deeprelationships across Atlanta's civic and businesscommunities.
The Vice President works closely with University System of Georgiaand the Board of Regents to advance shared advocacy efforts,including operating and capital funding priorities, and ensureconsistent, unified representation of system priorities beforestate and federal policymakers.
The Vice President will also serve as the university's seniorleader for community engagement, cultivating strategic partnershipswith civic organizations, neighborhood leaders, nonprofitinstitutions, economic development entities, and corporatepartners. This leader will strengthen Georgia State's role as ananchor institution and trusted partner in addressing regionalchallenges and advancing opportunities for economic mobility andcommunity impact.
The Vice President will coordinate and advance federal advocacyefforts through strategic engagement with Georgia's congressionaldelegation, federal agencies, national higher educationassociations, and the university's federal lobbyist partners inWashington, D.C.
Equally important, the Vice President will serve as a trustedadvisor to the President and senior leadership, providing strategicinsight on legislative and regulatory developments, shapinginstitutional priorities, and ensuring that GSU is well-positionedto achieve its short- and long-term goals.
Key Priorities and Impact Areas
Elevate GSU's Policy Influence
Advance a proactive, coordinated advocacy strategy thatstrengthens GSU's position with state and federal policymakers
Secure and sustain public investment aligned with GSU'spriorities in student success, research, and infrastructure
Shape policy conversations related to higher education,workforce development, and city innovation
Leverage Location and Relationships
Maximize GSU's unique positioning to deepen engagement withstate leaders and policymakers
Expand and strengthen relationships with influentialstakeholders across government, business, and the nonprofitsector
Serve as a visible and respected voice representing GSU'sinterests and contributions
Advance the Mission
Position GSU as a central partner in addressing Atlanta's andGeorgia's most pressing challenges, including economic mobility,educational access, and workforce readiness
Build partnerships that connect university expertise withcommunity needs and public priorities
Partner closely with University Advancement and institutionalleaders to support fundraising priorities, strengthen donorrelationships, and identify opportunities for public-privatepartnerships
Support GSU's BluePrint to 2033 Strategic Plan
Align advocacy, policy engagement, and external partnershipswith the four Presidential Pillars
Secure public investment
Shape statewide priorities
Expand the university's impact on Georgia's economy andcommunities
Strengthen Institutional Alignment
Lead an integrated approach across government relations,communications, and campus leadership to ensure clarity of messageand purpose
Provide timely, actionable intelligence on legislative andpolicy developments
Align advocacy and engagement strategies with institutionalpriorities and measurable outcomes
Build and Lead a High-Performing Function
Provide strong, effective leadership to the Office ofGovernment and Community Affairs
Develop a cohesive, high-performing team capable of executing asophisticated, multi-level strategy
Establish clear performance measures and assess theeffectiveness of advocacy, engagement, and partnership initiativesthrough measurable outcomes
The Ideal Candidate
Georgia State seeks a leader who combines political sophisticationwith a deep appreciation for the transformative power of highereducation. The successful candidate will be both a strategist and arelationship builder - someone who understands how to navigatecomplex governmental environments while advancing an ambitiousinstitutional vision.
Key Attributes
Demonstrated success influencing public policy and securinggovernmental support at the state and/or federal level
Deep knowledge of Georgia's political landscape and thelegislative process, with established relationships stronglypreferred
Strong alignment with Georgia State's mission as a publicresearch university and its national leadership in student success,social mobility, access, and community impact
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with theability to engage credibly across diverse constituencies
Executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to advisesenior leaders in a complex, high-profile environment
Experience leading teams and managing sophisticated externalaffairs operations
This is a compelling opportunity to join a forward-lookinginstitution at a pivotal time—one that is redefining what it meansto be a public research university in a large metropolitan cityenvironment. The Vice President for Government and CommunityAffairs will play a critical role in ensuring that Georgia StateUniversity continues to expand its influence, deepen itspartnerships, and deliver impact for the state of Georgia and thecommunities it serves.
Leadership Competencies
Strategic thinking and systems-level leadership
Exceptional relationship-building and coalition-developmentskills
Sound political judgment and professional integrity
Strong communication and public-facing leadershipabilities
The ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments andcompeting priorities
A collaborative leadership style that fosters trust andalignment across the institution
Qualifications :
Minimum Hiring Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and ten years of progressively responsibleexperience including five years or more of leadership experience;or a combination of education and related experience
Preferred Hiring Requirements:
Recent progressive experience in government relations, publicpolicy, or external affairs
Master's degree in a related field
Experience in higher education, public systems, or complexorganizations
Knowledge of Georgia's legislative and policy environment
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Worksite address
atlanta, GA, 30383, US
Who can apply
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