Associate Vice President for Government Relations and Community Engagement in Worcester, Massachusetts at Clark University

Clark University

Location: Worcester, MA Category: Staff and Administrators Job Type: Full-time - Exempt Posted On: Thu May 28 2026 Job Description:

The Associate Vice President for Government Relations and Community Engagement leads the University's outreach with local, regional, and state partners and serves as a senior advisor on matters involving community relations and public affairs. The AVP strengthens the University's relationships with municipal and state officials, community organizations, civic leaders, and partner institutions, ensuring that the University is a constructive, trusted, and visible presence in the communities it serves.

This role emphasizes collaboration, relationship-building, and practical leadership across community engagement and state and local government affairs. The position also provides support and guidance for educational initiatives that advance civic participation and democratic learning.

Primary Responsibilities

Community Engagement

• Serve as the University's principal liaison to the City of Worcester, surrounding communities, and key civic and nonprofit organizations.
• Strengthen and coordinate institutional relationships with neighborhood organizations, community development partners, and local service agencies.
• Support and advance mutually beneficial community partnerships that align with the University's academic, educational, and civic priorities.
• Represent the University at community meetings, civic events, regional forums, and in federal and state higher education briefings.
• Ensure that community impacts are considered in institutional planning and decision-making.

Government Relations

• Lead engagement with municipal and Massachusetts state officials and agencies on issues affecting the University.
• Monitor local, state, and federal public policy developments relevant to higher education and institutional operations.
• Coordinate institutional responses to local, state and federal policy initiatives as appropriate.
• Support advocacy efforts at the state level, including collaboration with higher education associations and peer institutions.
• Work closely with the Dean of Research to align faculty expertise with government funding mechanisms, helping position the University competitively for public research investments and partnership?based grants.
• Federal engagement is often coordinated with professional associations and elected officials and their offices

Institutional Coordination and Advising

• Advise the President and senior leadership on community, city, state, and federal matters affecting the University.
• Work closely with academic leaders, student affairs, advancement, communications, and operations to ensure coordinated external engagement.
• Support faculty, staff, and students engaged in community-based initiatives or civic engagement consistent with University goals.
• Serve as a resource on community-sensitive issues and help manage relationships during periods of institutional change or challenge.

Partnerships and Visibility

• Help identify and support strategic partnerships with regional institutions, public agencies, and community organizations.
• Promote the University's role as an engaged anchor institution and responsible civic partner.
• Elevate awareness of the University's contributions to the city and region through collaboration and visibility, in coordination with communications staff as well as academic leaders.
• Partner with the Dean of Research and the Dean of the College to strengthen opportunities for community-engaged research, support faculty collaborations, and amplify scholarship.
• Serve as a senior resource and representative for the President in advancing institutional commitments to civic participation and community engagement.
• Support presidential engagement with civic-focused coalitions, foundations, and national initiatives.

Job Requirements:

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant experience in community engagement, government relations, public affairs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success working with city, regional, and state stakeholders.
• Strong relationship-building, judgment, and diplomacy skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage a diverse portfolio of responsibilities independently, without reliance on extensive infrastructure or staff.
• Experience designing, leading, or supporting educational initiatives related to civics, citizenship, or democratic participation highly desirable.

Key Attributes

• Collaborative and approachable leadership style
• Strong commitment to community partnership and public service that also benefits the University and its students.
• Working knowledge of higher education.
• Practical, solutions-oriented mindset
• Sound institutional judgment and integrity

Additional Information:

Expected Hiring Range: $150,000 to $185,000

Pay Transparency Disclosure:
The compensation for this position will be determined based on factors that include available budget, internal equity, and the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, education, and other job-related credentials. This range represents Clark University's good-faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting consistent with Clark's compensation philosophy and internal alignment.

At Clark University we believe that diversity of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to a more innovative and productive work environment. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to join our team and contribute their unique ideas to help us achieve our goals.

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part-time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here.

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