Executive Director, Strategic Engagement

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The student population at the college is diverse in ethnicity, gender, language, age and background. Joliet Junior College is an AA/EO employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance the diversity of its staff.

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Strategic Engagement reports to the President, is a member of the President's Cabinet, and serves in a significant advisory and liaison capacity to advance institutional priorities, legislative and government relations, community engagement, and Board relations.

Working in close collaboration with the President, Executive Vice President, Cabinet, and internal and external partners, the Executive Director provides strategic counsel, coordinates high-priority initiatives, cultivates key relationships, supervises a part-time Senior Administrative Assistant, and manages assigned budgetary responsibilities.

Essential Job Duties and Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Presidential Advisory Support

1. Serve as a strategic advisor and liaison to the President on legislative, governmental, community, and Board-related matters that advance the College’s mission and strategic priorities.
2. Provide executive-level analysis, recommendations, briefings, and follow-through on high-priority institutional initiatives.
3. Coordinate complex cross-functional initiatives involving executive leadership, Cabinet members, college stakeholders, and external partners.
4. Anticipate emerging opportunities, risks, and stakeholder concerns, providing proactive strategies and recommendations.
5. Prepare and oversee executive communications, presentations, briefings, correspondence, and materials supporting strategic engagement priorities.
6. Represent the College at governmental, community, educational, business, and civic events and initiatives.

Legislative, Governmental & Public Affairs

1. Develop and maintain strategic relationships with elected officials, governmental agencies, legislative representatives, and public-sector partners.
2. Monitor legislative and public policy developments and advise institutional leadership on potential impacts, opportunities, and recommended actions.
3. Lead governmental relations and advocacy efforts that support institutional priorities, funding objectives, workforce development, and student success.
4. Oversee legislative communications, advocacy materials, testimony, and the contractual relationship with external governmental affairs consultants.

Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships

1. Lead institutional community engagement and partnership strategies that strengthen relationships and advance student success, workforce development, and community impact.
2. Cultivate and manage key external relationships with community leaders, businesses, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, workforce partners, and elected officials.
3. Identify and coordinate strategic partnership opportunities that enhance the College’s visibility, reputation, and impact within the communities it serves.

Board Relations & Governance

1. Serve as the President’s strategic advisor on Board relations, governance matters, Board communications, and stakeholder engagement.
2. Provide executive oversight of Board governance processes, Board meeting preparation, communications, follow-up activities, and consolidation election coordination.
3. Support timely and consistent responses to Board requests in accordance with established policies, governance protocols, and legal requirements.

Administrative Leadership & Resource Management

1. Oversee assigned personnel, budgets, contracts, and resources in accordance with college policies, sound business practices, and institutional objectives.
2. Establish and maintain effective processes, reporting structures, and accountability measures to support the successful execution of strategic engagement responsibilities.
3. Promote a culture of collaboration, responsiveness, accountability, and service excellence within the areas of responsibility.
4. Provide strategic oversight and coordination of College sponsorships and sponsorship opportunities, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, community engagement goals, brand standards, and the responsible stewardship of College resources.
5. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Master’s degree or other advanced degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Government Relations, Higher Education Administration, Organizational Leadership, Communications, Public Affairs, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
2. Five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in legislative or government relations, community engagement, public affairs, executive administration, board relations, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
3. Demonstrated ability to advise senior leaders, support governance or Board-related work, coordinate complex priorities, and exercise sound judgment with confidential matters.
4. Demonstrated ability to cultivate effective relationships with elected officials, government agencies, community leaders, civic organizations, business partners, and internal stakeholders.
5. Strong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and executive communication skills.
6. Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative cross-functional work, supervise staff, and manage assigned budgets/resources.
7. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence.
8. Demonstrated commitment to the College's core values of respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation and quality.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Higher education, governmental, nonprofit, public-sector, or community-based leadership experience.
2. Experience working directly with a governing board, elected officials, legislative consultants, or senior executive leadership.
3. Experience managing community engagement, government relations, strategic partnerships, or presidential/executive office initiatives.
4. English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency.
5. Demonstrated multicultural competence.

Physical Demands

1. Normal office physical demands.
2. Ability to travel between campus locations and to and from community events.
3. Ability to travel in state and nationally.

Working Conditions

1. Duties are performed indoors in the usual office and/or outdoor environment.
2. Activities and events outside normal work hours

Benefits

Click on the link for information about JJC's Benefits: Non-Union Support Staff, Professional, Administrative

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

Union (If Applicable):

Scheduled Hours: 40

Organization

Working at Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College, the nation's first public community college, offers pre-baccalaureate programs for students planning to transfer to a four-year university. A comprehensive community college, JJC also provides occupational education leading directly to employment, adult education and literacy programs, workforce development services, and student support services.

Tucked in the middle of a wildlife preserve, bridging the banks of a lake and surrounded by its own Arboretum, Joliet Junior College is an educational community that embraces diversity and promotes personal growth. Each year, more than 35,000 students find the diverse, comprehensive high quality educational experience they are looking for at JJC. We hope that you will take a few minutes to explore the job opportunities we have available and consider becoming a part of this experience.

The recruitment of qualified and diverse personnel is the cornerstone of JJC's commitment to an innovative, collaborative and inclusive educational community. At JJC, we respect the wealth of knowledge and experience each of our employees brings to the workplace. The College supports this commitment by providing personnel with excellent terms and conditions of employment, outstanding health and welfare benefits and programs for a secure retirement.

JJC employees work in a wide variety of roles within the college, including faculty, support staff, and administrative positions. With such a diverse range of professions, JJC ensures that a wealth of development opportunities is available to employees. From personal growth, career advancement, and a dynamic and rewarding work atmosphere, employees have the resources they need to achieve a successful and fulfilling career at JJC.

Joliet Junior College's open search procedures allow us to find the best available candidates for positions and to provide a balanced workforce to reflect the ethnic composition of the District we serve.