Director, Government & Community Affairs, SMCC Project - 3 Year Fixed-Term

Main Work Location: Historic Stanford Campus

Work Schedule: Hybrid work schedule (at least 2 days per week on-site). May require working flexible hours, including occasional nights and weekends. Some travel may be required.

Budgeted Salary: The expected pay range for this position is $183,000 - $208,000 per annum.

This opportunity is a fixed-term position for three years.

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The Office of Government Affairs (OGA) coordinates and facilitates Stanford University's interactions with all levels of government, as well as its relationship with neighboring communities. The work of OGA supports the university's academic mission of teaching and research by serving as the primary point of contact between the university and our partners in federal, state and local governments.

Position Summary: Stanford University is seeking a new team member to direct government and community affairs for the Stanford Medicine Cancer Center (SMCC) vision project in Redwood City, CA. This role would partner with a variety of internal partners and external stakeholders to advance the vision for a cancer center in Redwood City. Ideal candidates bring strong public affairs experience, exceptional communication skills, and knowledge of local government and community engagement. This is a 3 year Fixed-Term role.

In this role you will:

• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies that effectively convey Stanford's initiatives to government officials, community stakeholders, and regulatory agencies, ensuring engagement is clear, strategic, and tailored to specific audiences.
• Draft core materials including talking points, briefing memos, presentations, fact sheets, FAQs, and project narratives that distill complex land use and infrastructure projects into accessible content for public hearings, community meetings, and stakeholder briefings that resonate with diverse audiences from elected officials to neighborhood residents.
• Design outreach campaign materials including door-knocking scripts, town hall presentations, and informational mailers that that articulate Stanford Medicine Cancer Center: Redwood City project's interests in land use entitlements and inspire community involvement while ensuring Stanford's vision and initiatives are well-understood and supported.
• Develop proactive materials that anticipate and address regulatory and community concerns related to land use entitlements, campus operations, and development proposals, including response documents and mitigation strategies.
• Manage the tracking and reporting of economic and social impact reports.
• Collaborate with cross-functional internal teams and external consultants to align efforts that support organizational goals, regulatory compliance, and positive external affairs.

Core Duties:

• Execute all aspects of external relations programs, projects, and events, including coordinating special programs and overseeing production of audio/visual or written and visual materials. Projects include government and/or industry lobbying efforts, including working with university officials and third-party interest groups to affect positive change.
• May advocate before public officials to advance and/or defend the university's mission.
• Identify, enhance and maintain positive working relationships with legislative and agency officials and bodies and member associations in the higher education sector to assist in developing and implementing strategies to achieve stated legislative and regulatory objectives.
• Research and analyze issues of moderate complexity for the university.
• Draft position papers, statements, testimony, and presentations on these issues for review and communication to both internal and external audiences.
• Help identify, address, and mitigate unforeseen and/or rapidly unfolding events that may negatively impact relationships between the campus and other constituencies.
• Assist with curation of selected, proactive, and timely information about university positions, accomplishments, and interests for federal and state audiences. Follow-through on appointments and attend briefings and hearings as instructed by senior members and management.
• Monitor and interpret federal and state legislation and/or proposed actions by city and/or state government and advise senior management of potential campus and constituent impact.
• Respond to constituent inquiries.
• May direct and/or supervise staff.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor''s degree and seven years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in a government relations environment, focusing on federal and/or state level.
• Demonstrated advanced judgment and knowledge of the political process at the federal and/or state level.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact effectively and diplomatically with policymakers.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to diplomatically solve problems and build key relationships.
• Skilled lobbyist or prior experience as an aide/advisor to an elected or appointed government official with working knowledge of the political system and political process at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Ability to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and address, resolve and/or mitigate problems or issues.
• Proficient skills to read, interpret, understand, and respond to pending and proposed legislation, including skills to write effective position statements and draft proposed legislation.
• Proficient computer skills and demonstrated experience with office software, email applications, and presentation programs such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver and/or Keynote.

Core Duties:

• Execute all aspects of external relations programs, projects, and events, including coordinating special programs and overseeing production of audio/visual or written and visual materials. Projects include government and/or industry lobbying efforts, including working with university officials and third-party interest groups to affect positive change.
• May advocate before public officials to advance and/or defend the university's mission.
• Identify, enhance and maintain positive working relationships with legislative and agency officials and bodies and member associations in the higher education sector to assist in developing and implementing strategies to achieve stated legislative and regulatory objectives.
• Research and analyze issues of moderate complexity for the university.
• Draft position papers, statements, testimony, and presentations on these issues for review and communication to both internal and external audiences.
• Help identify, address, and mitigate unforeseen and/or rapidly unfolding events that may negatively impact relationships between the campus and other constituencies.
• Assist with curation of selected, proactive, and timely information about university positions, accomplishments, and interests for federal and state audiences. Follow-through on appointments and attend briefings and hearings as instructed by senior members and management.
• Monitor and interpret federal and state legislation and/or proposed actions by city and/or state government and advise senior management of potential campus and constituent impact.
• Respond to constituent inquiries.
• May direct and/or supervise staff.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor''s degree and seven years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in a government relations environment, focusing on federal and/or state level.
• Demonstrated advanced judgment and knowledge of the political process at the federal and/or state level.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact effectively and diplomatically with policymakers.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to diplomatically solve problems and build key relationships.
• Skilled lobbyist or prior experience as an aide/advisor to an elected or appointed government official with working knowledge of the political system and political process at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Ability to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and address, resolve and/or mitigate problems or issues.
• Proficient skills to read, interpret, understand, and respond to pending and proposed legislation, including skills to write effective position statements and draft proposed legislation.
• Proficient computer skills and demonstrated experience with office software, email applications, and presentation programs such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver and/or Keynote.