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Office of Government Relations & Community Affairs

A member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President for Government Relations and External Affairs develops and implements the university’s governmental and political engagement strategy with federal, state and local elected officials, key policymakers, and university neighbors. The vice president serves as a trusted, strategic advisor to the president and represents the president and university with internal and external stakeholders.

UMBC offers competitive compensation.  This role starts at $275,000 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

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For 16 years in a row UMBC has been recognized as a Great College to Work For! 

A hybrid telework schedule may be available. 

• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with key government officials and policymakers.
• Connect university leaders with policymakers, decision makers, and key influencers at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Enhance the university’s reputation statewide by identifying opportunities and challenges, successfully developing and guiding targeted initiatives and responses, and creating a strong positive and substantive image for the university among public officials.
• Communicate and advocate for university priorities to governmental officials, local and national organizations and other government entities on key legislative issues.
• Direct the collaborative work of developing communications to and for key stakeholders, including the president and senior leadership team, regarding pertinent legislative issues; directs and leads the development of materials in support of the government relations agenda, such as talking points, legislative summaries, factsheets, testimony, reports and letters.
• Lead and supervise the government relations, external affairs, and neighbor relations team.

• Requires a Master’s degree in business, accounting, public policy, public health, education, or a related field or a law degree.

• Demonstrated success in an equivalent setting with a minimum of ten years senior management level experience, including managing and supervising staffing of staff.

• Substantial experience working with and building relationships with public officials and their teams including those in Congress, the Maryland General Assembly, and County/Baltimore City elected leaders.

A background check will be required. 

Upload a cover letter and a resume.  

UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave  
• 15 Days of Sick Leave  
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more 

Salary: $275,000 - $322,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.