NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas.
As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers.
NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.
The Executive Director of Governmental & Public Relation/Chief of Staff collaborates with the President and President's Cabinet on a wide variety of administrative and institutional priorities and assists the President in implementing Cabinet-level action items. The Executive Director of Governmental & Public Relation/Chief of Staff assists with the administrative, operational, and budgetary functions of the Office of the President and serves as a liaison to a variety of internal and external constituencies. This position serves as a key advisor to the President, offering strategic insights and guidance on communication, policy, and government as well as public affairs.
Completed applications received by 09/08/2024 will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Communication
Serve as the principal liaison for the President's Office for internal and external constituents.
Assist the President with official communication and work with the Communications and Marketing Offices to coordinate informational releases.
Prepare reports, presentations, executive summaries, talking points, and other materials as needed.
Anticipate, identify, and troubleshoot issues of concern or significance; exercise discretion to provide timely information and necessary updates across multiple stakeholders; serve as the college's primary spokesperson.
Respond to inquiries as delegated by the President; may resolve complaints that come to the President's Office using conflict management skills and involving appropriate campus resources.
Build relationships with faculty and staff for effective responsiveness to evolving issues.
Build and maintain relationships with external partners, including government agencies, educational organizations, and community and civic groups, to support the college's mission and initiatives.
Research, Planning, and Preparation
Ensure that matters requiring the attention of the President are thoroughly researched and evaluated; ensure that the President is fully prepared for meetings with constituents, committees, and boards.
Collaborate with the President and Executive Assistant to plan, schedule, and manage meetings with the Board of Trustees.
Participate with the leadership team in strategic planning and problem resolution for goals and priorities of the institution; follow up on Cabinet action items.
Analyze data to inform strategic decisions and improve organizational performance.
Project Management
Serve as project manager for assigned projects that cross divisions and require executive level oversight; serve as member of committees, task forces, and project teams as needed.
Collaborate with Executive Assistant and appropriate campus entities to coordinate the President's participation in events; oversee events planned by President's Office.
Administration
Assist in the administrative, operational, and budgetary functions of the Office of the President.
Recommend and implement improvements to organizational structure and practices.
Represent the President at meetings and events as needed.
Maintain confidentiality as appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Salary $95,319 - $105,405 annually
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Excellent interpersonal skills as demonstrated by the ability to engage in active listening, to facilitate productive discussion, and to build collaborative relationships at all levels in a diverse community; ability to interact in a positive manner that engenders confidence and trust.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to compose and edit professional correspondence, announcements, speeches, reports, and other written materials.
Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret diverse types of data and information, and to produce reports, summaries, and presentations based on research.
Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects.
Meticulous attention to detail.
Demonstrated skill in project management, including event management.
Ability to analyze and solve problems.
Broad working knowledge of policies and procedures in a complex academic institution or similar complex organization.
Institutional perspective that recognizes and prioritizes institutional mission and strategic goals.
Strong customer service orientation, motivated to work with constituents to answer questions and address needs or concerns.
Supervisory and personnel management skills.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive or legally protected information.
Demonstrated computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is:
Frequently manipulating items with fingers, including keyboarding
Sitting
Standing
Walking
Constantly:
Hearing
Repetitive motion
Talking
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes.
Environmental Conditions
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's degree in communications, public relations, business administration, political science, or a related field; Note: equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a master's degree
At least three years of significant experience in public relations, governmental relations, communications, or executive management
Demonstrated proficiency in professional writing
Preferred Qualifications
Five years of significant experience in public relations, governmental relations, communications, or executive management
Work experience in an institution of higher education
Successful experience in a similar role in a changing and complex environment
NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.
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