Position Information
Position Title: Vice President for Community and Government
Relations
Department: The University at Buffalo
Posting Link: https://apptrkr.com/9911204"">
https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/65419
Job Type: Full-Time
Posting Detail Information
Position Summary
Job SummaryThe State University of New York at
Buffalo (UB) seeks a highly proactive, energetic, and
advocacy-minded individual to lead community and government
relations. Reporting directly to the President and serving on the
university's senior leadership team, the Vice President for
Community and Government Relations leads UB's engagement with
government officials, community partners and advocacy
organizations. As UB's chief community and government relations
officer and chief lobbyist, the vice president advances the
university's legislative, budgetary and community engagement
priorities. The vice president advances UB's reputation, influence
and strategic impact through external engagement and partnerships.
The vice president promotes a coordinated “one university” approach
that aligns advocacy and messaging, communicates UB's contributions
and strengthens relationships with external partners and
surrounding communities.
About the State University of New York at
BuffaloThe University at Buffalo is entering a defining
era under President Caroline A. Genco. A New York State flagship
and premier public research university, UB enrolls approximately
30,000 students in more than 500 undergraduate, graduate and
professional degree programs and sponsors 16 NCAA Division I teams.
Founded in 1846, UB is the largest and most comprehensive
institution in the State University of New York system and a member
of the Association of American Universities. UB is consistently
recognized for academic excellence, research impact and
affordability.
Job DescriptionKey Priorities and Impact Areas
will include, but are not limited to:
Strengthening Institutional Alignment and
Relationships
- Ensures that UB's state, federal, and local government
relations strategy and long-term advocacy initiatives align with
the university's strategic priorities.
Represents UB with senior government officials and community
leaders.
Coordinates with SUNY System Administration Office of
Government Relations, the Research Foundation of New York, and the
University at Buffalo Foundation on government and community
relations matters.
Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships with higher
education associations, business organizations, civic groups,
community organizations, and advocacy coalitions to advance
university mission and priorities.
Advancing the Mission
- Shapes policy conversations related to higher education,
workforce development and regional and state innovation.
- Leads advocacy efforts to further UB's priorities, which
results in securing funding and sustaining investment aligned with
UB's priorities in student success, research and
infrastructure.
Leveraging Location and University Relationships
- Advises the President and President's executive team on matters
relating to the government, political, and community issues
impacting the university.
- Develops strong relationships and communication networks with
university leaders and within the university community and partners
to achieve shared understanding of issues impacting the university
and develop effective advocacy strategies.
- Strengthens and sustains UB's relationships within the Western
New York community by developing and implementing a comprehensive
stakeholder engagement strategy that strengthen relationships with
community leaders, nonprofit organizations, economic development
entities, neighborhood organizations, business leaders, and
regional partners.
- Coordinates with University Communications to align
communications strategies with government and community relations
priorities.
Supporting the University's President and Strategic
Plan
- Prepares briefings and talking points for the President and
university leaders regarding government relations priorities.
- Coordinates and arranges meetings with elected officials for
faculty, staff, senior university leadership, and the President and
advises the President on any potential risks, opportunities, and
response strategies.
- Positions UB as a central partner in addressing the region's
and state's most pressing challenges including economic mobility,
educational access and workforce readiness.
- Serves as a visible and respected voice presenting UB's
interests and contributions.
Building and Leading a High-Performing Function
- Develops a cohesive, high-performing team that executes
coordinated strategies across university units and levels of
government.
- Establishes clear performance measures and assess the
effectiveness of advocacy, engagement and partnership initiatives
with measurable outcomes.
The successful candidate will:
- Build Networks — Develops internal and
external relationships that advance institutional priorities,
visibility and impact.
- Exercise Sound Judgment — Builds productive
relationships at all levels; remains discreet, collaborative and
composed under pressure.
- Build Stakeholder Alignment — Navigates
competing priorities and perspectives while building alignment
among university, government, community and SUNY partners.
- Instill Trust — Demonstrates integrity,
credibility and transparency, earning the confidence of the
President and key stakeholders.
- Communicate Effectively — Delivers clear,
compelling and audience-centered communications that inform and
inspire action.
- Build Collaborative Relationships — Navigates
complex political, governmental, institutional and community
environments while advancing UB's objectives.
- Deliver Results — Leads cross-functional
initiatives that achieve goals, improve processes and strengthen
collaboration with sound political judgment and professional
integrity.
UB is distinguished by—and committed to maintaining—a vibrant
culture of collaboration in which all constituents value the
perspectives of others and feel secure in sharing their own with
dignity and respect. It is the policy of the University at Buffalo
and its affiliated organizations to provide and promote merit-based
equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants
without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color,
religion, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual
orientation, national origin, disability, genetics, marital or
familial status, military or veteran status, arrest and/or criminal
conviction record (unless based on a bona fide occupational
qualification or other lawful exception), or any other
characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. This
commitment applies to hiring, compensation, promotion and all other
terms and conditions of employment.
Minimum Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree
- At least 10 years of experience in government and community
relations, state government, or legislative experience in large,
matrixed organizations.
- Expertise in the NYS legislative and budget process.
- Expertise in the NYS political landscape and/or federal
political issues impacting higher education.
- Competency in the federal legislative and appropriations
processes.
- Demonstrated working experience with elected officials, staff,
and government and all levels of employee categories as colleagues
and partners.
- Experience with policy analysis and lobbying compliance.
- At least five years of experience supervising staff.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in a related field, or law degree.
- Demonstrated commitment to supporting and developing a
collaborative team.
Other Requirements:
- This position will require evening and weekend work hours as
needed.
- This position will include lobby days in Albany and Washington,
D.C., creating opportunities for engagement with elected officials,
alumni in elected office, and area representatives in compliance
with state and federal lobbying laws.
- This role serves at the pleasure of the university and is an
“at will” position.
Preferred Qualifications
Physical Demands
Salary Range
Competitive
Special Instructions Summary
Is a background check required for this posting?
Yes
Contact Information
Contact's Name: Christopher Delello
Contact's Pronouns:
Contact's Title: Associate Vice President for Human
Resources
Contact's Email: cdelello@buffalo.edu
Contact's Phone: 716-645-8155
Posting Dates
Posted: 10/20/2026
Deadline for Applicants:
Date to be filled:
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