Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Grants

Job Description

The Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Grants provides leadership for the college's government relations, public policy engagement, and strategic grant development efforts. This position advances Great Basin College's mission by coordinating advocacy strategies, monitoring legislative developments, and identifying funding opportunities that support institutional priorities.

The Director serves as a key advisor to institutional leadership on federal and state policy matters affecting higher education and works collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and external partners to develop competitive grant proposals. The position cultivates relationships with elected officials, government agencies, foundations, and community partners to strengthen the college's visibility, influence, and access to external funding.

The Director works closely with the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and institutional leadership to coordinate legislative advocacy, pursue grant funding, and support initiatives that enhance educational access, workforce development, and community partnerships.

This position reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

This is a remote position, but the employee must live in Nevada. Considerable travel is required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in public policy, public administration, political science, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Progressively responsible experience in government relations, public policy, grant development, or related external affairs work.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state legislative, regulatory, and public policy processes.
• Experience researching funding opportunities and developing or supporting grant proposals.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, administrators, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in public administration, public policy, political science, higher education administration, law, or a related field.
• Experience working in higher education, preferably a community college, or a complex public organization.
• Experience writing or coordinating federal grant proposals.
• Working knowledge of the Nevada State Legislature, Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), and the Nevada Electronic Legislative Information System (NELIS).
• Experience working with or through federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, or Department of Labor.
• Experience coordinating multi-partner initiatives involving educational institutions, school districts, employers, or community organizations.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to align advocacy and funding strategies with institutional priorities.
• Policy Analysis: Ability to interpret legislative and regulatory developments affecting higher education.
• Grant Development: Ability to translate institutional initiatives into competitive funding proposals.
• Relationship Building: Ability to cultivate productive relationships with policymakers, funders, and community partners.
• Communication: Ability to present complex policy and funding information clearly and persuasively.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across institutional departments and with external partners.

Responsibilities

Government Relations Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive government relations and public affairs strategy that advances the college's priorities at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Advise institutional leadership on legislative developments, emerging public policy issues, and advocacy strategies.
• Monitor legislation, regulatory actions, budget proposals, and policy developments affecting higher education, workforce development, and student success.
• Prepare policy briefs, legislative summaries, talking points and strategic communications to support institutional decision-making and advocacy.
• Identify opportunities to advance institutional priorities through legislative, regulatory, appropriations, and funding initiatives.

Federal and State Government Affairs

• Coordinate the college's federal, state, and local advocacy efforts in collaboration with institutional leadership and the Nevada System of Higher Education.
• Support the development and advancement of federal and state legislative priorities, including funding and appropriations initiatives.
• Serve as liaison to federal contract lobbyists and coordinate related advocacy activities, follow-up, and provide strategic communication to leadership.
• Monitor and analyze federal and state legislation, budget actions, and regulatory developments affecting higher education and their implications for GBC.
• Prepare and coordinate legislative testimony, briefing materials, talking points, and policy statements to support GBC's priorities.
• Coordinate and support meetings with elected officials and policymakers, including visits with congressional and state legislative offices.

Grant Development and Funding Strategy

• Identify and research grant opportunities from federal, state, and private funding sources that align with institutional priorities.
• Serve as the primary writer or coordinator for select grant proposals, particularly federal grants and other strategic funding initiatives.
• Collaborate with faculty, administrators, finance personnel, and program staff to develop project concepts, goals, and measurable outcomes for grant proposals.
• Assist in the preparation, review, and refinement of proposal narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation in accordance with funding agency guidelines.
• Coordinate proposal submissions and ensure applications are complete, compliant, competitive and are submitted in accordance with institutional and funding agency requirements.

Institutional Collaboration and Communication

• Work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and institutional partners to support grant development and advocacy initiatives.
• Communicate grant opportunities and policy developments to campus stakeholders.
• Provide presentations and updates on legislative and funding initiatives to faculty, staff, and college leadership.
• Maintain organized records of grant proposals, funding opportunities, and advocacy activities.

Community and External Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, and business partners.
• Represent the college at government affairs meetings, policy forums, and community events.
• Foster partnerships that support the college's mission, workforce development initiatives, and service area communities.

Compensation Grade

Administrative Faculty - D

This is a 12 month "A" contract, 12 month contracts are used for year round programs.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $100,000 to $125,000. Salary is based on relatable education and experience, internal equity and budgets.

Required Attachment(s)

• Resume/CV - List a detailed description of the major duties that you performed as part of each job. You must demonstrate that you qualify for the position and your education and experience must be clearly documented.
• Cover Letter
• Three Supervisory References - Please make a note if you do not want your present employer contacted unless necessary to determine your qualifications for the position.