Director for Advocacy and Engagement

Company:

Mid-Atlantic Region Commission on Higher Education

Job Location:

Remote (with some travel required)

Category:

Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs

Type:

Full-Time

Position Title:

Director for Advocacy and Engagement

Department/Unit:

Chief of Staff and Strategic Advocacy

Reports to (Title):

Chief of Staff

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director for Advocacy and Engagement is responsible for developing a comprehensive advocacy and engagement program that aligns with the Commission’s strategic initiatives and role within the regulatory triad. The incumbent will work with the President to engage with federal and state partners and other stakeholders to advocate for Commission priorities and other issues important to higher education and the Commission’s member institutions. In addition, the incumbent will monitor federal regulations for changes in requirements and expectations for institutions and work collaboratively with the Legal and Regulatory Affairs Unit staff in regulatory engagement and government relations activities. The Director for Advocacy and Engagement is charged with working collaboratively with Commission staff and other stakeholders to consider the impact of federal, state, and international regulatory and policy initiatives that impact accreditation policies, procedures, and guidelines and institutions of higher education.

The Director for Advocacy and Engagement will prepare reports, guidance, and informational resources for the Commission, the Executive Leadership Team and other Commission staff, institutions, and peer evaluators on all federal, state, and international regulatory and policy initiatives. The incumbent will also develop communications and communication strategies related to federal, state, and international regulations and affairs that further the Commission’s advocacy and other priorities. This position includes the development, implementation, and publication of strategic communications including news releases, e-blasts, social media content, website content, public comments on regulatory matters, and other strategic communications.

This position requires energetic and positive interactions with staff, Commissioners, member institutions, peer evaluators, and all constituents through exceptional customer service and communication skills.

This is a full-time exempt, remote teleworking position but does require some travel. This includes onsite presence at the Commission’s annual conference and travel to represent the Commission at regional, national, and international events and conferences, funding permitting.

Description of Duties and Responsibility

50% Develop a Comprehensive Engagement and Advocacy Resource Program

• Establish a resource program with critical elements for engagement and advocacy.
• Develop and maintain critical resource materials for timely and regular engagement and advocacy for the Commission, institutions, members of the public, and staff that are appropriately tailored to each constituent group.
• Propose and support educational opportunities, including the Commission’s events and podcast, that increase regulatory awareness and the Commission’s thought leadership for all constituent groups.
• Develop monthly advocacy alerts on a range of topics, including but not limited to political and regulatory shifts.
• Develop a strategy of engagement with other accreditors, higher education organizations, and other regulatory organizations.
• Develop and regularly update talking points and other communication strategies for the President and other Commission representatives around engagement and advocacy.
• Support strategic partnerships through information gathering regarding potential partnerships and engagement activities related to legal and regulatory advocacy measures.
• Collect and report key performance indicators as identified by unit goals and in collaboration with others to fulfill the Commission’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Utilize key data points and performance indicators related to communications with the other members of the regulatory triad to develop communications and strategic messaging that aligns with the mission and strategic priorities.
• Maintain documents and files in alignment with Maintenance and Retention of Commission Records Policy and Procedures.
• Collect and report key performance indicators as identified by unit goals and in collaboration with others to fulfill the Commission’s mission and strategic priorities.

40% Government Relations and Strategic Partnership Development

• Engage in substantive analysis of federal, state, and international regulatory and policy initiatives to support the Commission’s strategic vision, including any engagement and advocacy efforts.
• Propose and generate new communications, advocacy initiatives, strategic partnerships, and thought leadership related to regulatory matters in jurisdictions where the Commission, its member institutions, or applicant institutions operate and that align with the Commission’s Accreditation Advocacy strategic priority.
• Promote communications, advocacy initiatives, strategic partnerships, thought leadership, and events related to regulatory matters through the development of news releases, e-blasts, social media content, website content, podcast content, and other strategic communications.
• Serve as a resource for tracking regulatory requirements related to strategic partnership grants.
• Engage in substantive regulatory analysis for the corporation, for advocacy efforts, as applied to institutions, and to serve the corporation’s own advocacy interests.
• Engage state and system partners by contributing to planning and resources for regular engagement in meetings and communications.
• Establish a communication strategy that includes critical engagement and advocacy efforts to ensure timely messages that encourage constituency participation at the local, federal, and state levels regarding higher education policy.
• Leverage emerging, new, or changing regulatory environments to develop guidance and resources for the Commission and relevant constituents.
• Provide connections to the Commission’s policies, procedures, and Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation when developing thought leadership strategies and communications for constituents.

5% Legislative and Regulatory Tracking

• Identify, analyze, and track legislative and regulatory proposals at the local, state, and federal levels to determine impact on institutions and the Commission.
• Communicate updates and impact analysis to Commission President, Executive Leadership Team, Commission, and other staff as appropriate.
• Develop and ensure timely submission of Commission public comments and advocacy initiatives of other accreditors and higher education organizations.

5% Other Duties as Assigned

% of total effort may vary.

Scope of Responsibility

1. Supervision Exercised: None.
2. Other Measure of Scope: None.

Minimum Education and Experience Required:

• Master’s degree in communications, higher education administration, public policy and administration, or similar field from an institution with accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education.
• At least three (3) years of demonstrated experience in communications with increasing levels of responsibility and budget management experience in regulatory or non-profit environments appropriate for a director level position.
• Significant experience in government relations, or a related industry, with considerable experience in the areas of accreditation, federal or state regulation, and/or educational policy.
• Significant experience developing strategic partnerships and government relations communications to a wide variety of constituent groups.
• Significant, direct experience tracking and interpreting state, federal, or international regulations/codes, policy documents, and other agency guidance documentation.
• Experience working with a broad range of constituents in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Ability to represent the Commission to a broad range of constituents in a professional manner.
• Strong written and verbal communication and editing skills through a variety of channels, demonstrating correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and demonstrated project planning skills through completion.
• The ability and willingness to learn and maintain knowledge of federal, state, and other accreditation requirements as they pertain to the organization.
• Demonstrated experience managing messages across several communications media, including news releases and marketing communications.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
• Exceptional analytical, research, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated technology skills needed for the position, with the flexibility to adapt to changing technology as needed.
• Demonstrated technological ability to rely on video conferencing tools to communicate and collaborate effectively with internal and external constituents while working remotely.
• Ability to identify legal risks and manage them appropriately internally as well as work with the Commission’s general counsel and outside legal counsel as may be necessary.
• Experience using a variety of presentation platforms.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a high level of discretion, sound judgment, and a commitment to confidentiality.
• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement and discretion, and balance competing demands.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products as well as professional e-mail and telephone protocols.
• Superior customer service focus with attention to detail.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with Salesforce or similar database.
• Experience with the development and delivery of training.

MSCHE offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits in a remote work environment. The salary range for this position is $73,400 – $85,000. Benefit offerings include health care, dental, 403(b), life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and generous paid time off. In the past, MSCHE has been a qualifying Public Service Organization under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

For best consideration, apply by August 21, 2025. To apply, visit https://www.msche.org/employment-opportunities/ and complete the application online. Submissions will require the following items in PDF format: a detailed letter of interest, not to exceed three (3) pages; a current Curriculum Vitae (CV); and a list of three (3) professional references with contact information. Note: References will not be contacted without explicit permission from finalists.