The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) seeks nominations for and expressions of interest in the position of vice chancellor for government relations and public affairs.
With a growing reputation for innovative research addressing complex urban issues, UMass Boston—metropolitan Boston’s only public research university—offers its diverse student population both an intimate learning environment and the rich experience of a great American city. UMass Boston’s nine colleges and graduate schools serve nearly 16,000 students while engaging local, national, and international constituents through academic programs, research centers, and public service activities. One of five campuses in the University of Massachusetts System, UMass Boston is seeking—and beginning to earn—national recognition as a public, urban, student-centered university. A well-developed strategic planning process guides its efforts to strengthen and enlarge its faculty and student body, transform its physical campus, enhance its global reach and reputation, increase its research funding, and gain support through an upcoming capital campaign. More information on UMass Boston can be found on our web site: www.umb.edu [6]
Reporting directly to the chancellor, the vice chancellor serves as a highly visible advocate for the university with the full complement of UMass Boston’s constituents and strategic audiences, among them the citizens of Massachusetts, government officials and entities, the business community, and social and news media. The vice chancellor contributes leadership to the university’s efforts to achieve the goals defined in its recently established strategic plan, “Fulfilling the Promise.” These include advancing student success and development, enriching and expanding academic programs and research, improving the learning, teaching, and working environment, and enhancing infrastructure and financial resources to support these activities. Complementing “Fulfilling the Promise” is a 25-year master plan, launched four years ago, that calls for more than $750 million in new facilities and infrastructure, including the first new academic buildings in 40 years. These plans together reflect UMass Boston’s highest academic ambitions, its urban mission, and its commitment to enhancing the experience of its students, strengthening connections with its community, and serving its state, nation, and world.
The new vice chancellor will be expected to work collaboratively with other members of the university’s senior leadership team to support the university’s strategic objectives. Additional responsibilities include:
• Working collaboratively to advance the university’s interests in local, state, and federal legislation, regulations, and policy, and to secure government support for major initiatives
• Serving as UMass Boston’s primary liaison with elected and appointed representatives of city, state, and federal governments, businesses, and community groups
• Leading and supporting efforts to expand and integrate university communication and marketing efforts
• Working to extend partnerships through which university research supports community and economic development
• Collaborating with peers on other UMass System campuses
• Providing general oversight of the activities and 17 staff members in the division’s six offices: Communications, Community Partnerships, Community Relations, Creative Services, Economic Development, and Government Relations
The successful candidate will demonstrate evidence of successful leadership, including budget management and staff oversight, in progressively responsible positions in communications, public affairs, and/or government relations, preferably in higher education or health care, preferably in large, complex institutions. The capacity to understand and embrace the mission, purpose, and culture of a public research university is essential. The candidate must have experience with effective deployment of marketing and media relations techniques. Experience with local, state, and/or federal relations is required; experience in Massachusetts is essential. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree preferred.
A search committee has been appointed to develop a nationally competitive pool of candidates, assisted by Witt/Kieffer, the executive search firm working with UMass Boston on this effort. Credential review will begin on December 1, 2012, and continue until the position is filled.
Nominations, applications, and requests for the full leadership profile may be sent to Lucy Leske and Jennifer Ott at Witt/Kieffer; electronic submissions are required and may be sent to UMassBostonVC@wittkieffer.com [7].
UMass Boston is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, Title IX Employer.