Government Relations Manager
Class: Management | Exempt status: Exempt | Grade: J
Reporting to the Chief of Staff and Executive Director of College Relations, the Government Relations Manager serves as a key member of the College Relations Team and works to enhance internal and external engagement in the development of public policy and budget advocacy at city, county, state, and federal levels. This position is a relationship-oriented role that requires building connections with faculty, staff, lobbyists, and external partners to help advance institutional goals.
Key Responsibilities
Supports the implementation and performance of PCC’s legislative and advocacy operations, internship programs, and related events and meetings. Provides other support and coordination for outreach and advocacy efforts including preparing and disseminating communications, monitoring legislative developments, and liaising with government officials. Represents the College and helps to build and sustain relationships with government officials. Serves as point of contact for inquiries and related requests. Creates new opportunities with internal and external partners to advance PCC’s mission and vision.
Essential Functions
This position is responsible for a range of matters and activities, including but not limited to:
Outreach and Advocacy
- Building and stewarding relationships with elected officials and staff.
- Plans and coordinates events and meetings, including outreach and recruitment, staff/volunteer/intern training, communications, logistics, speaker recruitment, content development and presenting. Provides support during critical events to manage the experiences of participants and elected officials.
Legislative Reporting and Analysis
- Monitors, researches, analyzes, and summarizes legislative and regulatory developments pertinent to PCC.
- Conducts background research and drafts remarks, testimony, and briefings related to government relations efforts.
- Supports legislative and public policy changes that promote equitable student success.
Leadership and Communication
- Leads or participates in/on a variety of meetings, committees, task forces, and/or other related groups to communicate information regarding services, programs, areas of opportunity, and/or other pertinent information. Communicates meeting outcomes and action plans as appropriate, and follows up and reports on expected results.
- Assists leadership with strategic planning and developing a list of target issues, relationships, and funding priorities at the city and county level.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Public Affairs/Relations, Political Science, Business Administration, Communications or related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Three (3) years of professional experience in government relations, legislative analysis, or communications. Two years (2) of lead, supervisory, or project management experience. Successful completion of PCC LEAD Academy or a comparable external leadership training may substitute for up to 6 months of lead, supervisory, or project management experience.
OR seven (7) years of progressively responsible, professional experience in government relations, legislative analysis, or communications. Two years (2) of lead, supervisory, or project management experience. Successful completion of PCC LEAD Academy or a comparable external leadership training may substitute for up to 6 months of lead, supervisory, or project management experience.
Required Competencies
- Equitable Student Success Focus: Make decisions that support a student-first culture.
- Strategic Planning: Develop a vision for the future and create a culture in which long-range goals can be achieved.
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Demonstrated growth in cultural competence; awareness of societal and structural inequities; and proven experience in effectively establishing relationships and positive communications with students and other constituents across multiple dimensions of diversity.
- Change Catalyst: Ability to encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches when addressing problems and opportunities.
- Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with many types of individuals and the ability to write clearly and persuasively.
- Decisive: Ability to make quick decisions while keeping policy and regulations at the forefront of all decisions.
- Team Motivation: Ability to influence and mobilize a group of individuals to work toward a common goal and positively represent the mission of PCC
New: 5/2023
Portland Community College is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.