Associate Vice President – External Relations and Executive Director of East Campus Foundation

The Associate Vice President for External Relations and Executive Director of East Campus Foundation is responsible for providing visionary leadership and strategic direction in advancing Black Hawk College’s reputation, securing external funding, and fostering relationships with governmental entities.

This role oversees the development and implementation of comprehensive communication and marketing strategies, manages College Foundation activities to secure philanthropic support, and directs Black Hawk College’s government relations efforts.

The AVP will work collaboratively with Black Hawk College’s leadership, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to align marketing and public relations, fundraising, and legislative priorities with Black Hawk College’s mission and long-term strategic goals.

The AVP will ensure Black Hawk College’s interests are effectively represented in the public sphere, and lead initiatives that enhance engagement with media, donors, alumni, government officials, and the broader community.

The AVP holds the responsibility for fostering institutional innovation, and overseeing various critical functions including marketing, legislative affairs and the efficient operation of the Office of the President.

DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES :

• Lead the development and execution of a strategic communication plan that advances Black Hawk College’s academic and research reputation, and community engagement while assisting student recruitment efforts.
• Oversee all public relations and marketing activities, ensuring they align with Black Hawk College’s mission and values while targeting key higher education audiences such as prospective students, faculty, alumni, and educational partners.
• Manage Black Hawk College’s digital presence, including social media, website content, and multimedia communications, to engage prospective students, current students, faculty, and donors.
• Oversee Black Hawk College’s branding efforts to ensure consistency in messaging across all print and digital communications, adhering to Black Hawk College standards.
• Cultivate relationships with local and regional media outlets to secure coverage that highlights Black Hawk College’s academic programs and contributions to the community.
• Coordinate crisis communications in higher education specific contexts (e.g., campus safety, student and community activism, or policy changes) to safeguard Black Hawk College’s reputation.
• Coordinate with college departments to grow the college’s student enrollment market share.
• Develop targeted fundraising campaigns to support key higher education areas, including student scholarships, endowed chairs, relationships, and other strategic initiatives.
• Build and strengthen relations with the Black Hawk College East Foundation Board, major donors, and Black Hawk College leadership to align fundraising priorities with institutional needs, ensuring the philanthropic efforts directly support student success.
• Lead Black Hawk College East Foundation and coordinate with Black Hawk College Foundation initiatives, directing effort to secure private support for scholarships, academic programs, and capital projects from individuals, alumni, corporations, and foundations.
• Coordinate annual giving programs, special events, and recognition initiatives that cultivate relationships with current and prospective donors, showcasing the impact of their contributions on the student and faculty experience.
• Manage Black Hawk College East Foundation endowment portfolio, ensuring sound investment strategies that support long-term financial sustainability for academic scholarships, research funds, and student services.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations governing the East Campus Foundation, including, but not limited to the areas of fiduciary responsibility, donor reporting, and financial stewardship.
• Ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations governing employee and public official ethics, political activity, legislative activity, solicitation and / or receipt of gifts and political activity.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, legislators, policymakers, and education advocacy organizations exclusively to advance Black Hawk College’s legislative priorities.
• Monitor new and upcoming legislation and public policy trends affecting higher education, providing strategic advice to the President, senior leadership or others as identified on legislative opportunities and challenges.
• Lead government relations efforts, representing Black Hawk College’s interests with local, state, and federal lawmakers, as well as regulatory agencies that impact higher education policy, funding, and compliance.
• Develop outreach and partnership strategies with local and regional government entities, enhancing Black Hawk College’s role as a community and economic development partner through workforce training, internships, and other strategic collaborations.
• Facilitate Black Hawk College’s appropriate involvement or participation in public hearings, policy forums or other activities, ensuring Black Hawk College’s exclusive interests are represented in discussions including, but not limited to, higher education, reform, student financial aid, and other initiatives.

Make sure to read the full description below, and please apply immediately if you are confident you meet all the requirements.

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER DUTIES :

• Overall responsibility to organize and conduct news conferences / events and distribute news releases to area media regarding the College.
• Oversees participation in on-campus events and serves as a representative of Black Hawk College at meetings, community events, and other public functions.
• Acts as and / or oversees College Freedom of Information Officer for all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, working closely with College departments and outside legal counsel to comply with all aspects of the Act.
• Maintains State of Illinois FOIA certification through the Attorney General’s office.
• Serves on President’s Cabinet.
• Serves as Campus Security Authority.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

OVERALL ACCOUNTABILITIES :

• Demonstrates Black Hawk College core values.
• Accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness of work.
• Ability to work cooperatively with co-workers.
• Communicates in a professional and pleasant manner with others.

PRINCIPAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS :

• Works directly with the College President and senior leadership.
• Works cooperatively with Black Hawk College Foundation, Student Services, and academic areas to implement a strategic marketing and recruitment plan.
• Works cooperatively with the administration, faculty, staff, and students.
• Works directly with government officials and policy makers, legal and compliance offices, external media and communications partners, and community leaders and organizations.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.)

• Master’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Political Science, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, Business or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in public relations, government relations, or advancement / fundraising, with a significant portion of time spent in a higher education or non-profit environment.
• Deep understanding of the higher education landscape, including trends in public policy, media relations, and fundraising best practices specific to community colleges.
• Demonstrated ability to secure major gifts, foundation funding, and governmental support for academic, research, and capital priorities.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with experience working across academic and administrative departments within a community college setting.
• Demonstrated history of collaboration with campus and community involvement in higher education setting.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the described job; it is not an all-encompassing statement of all the work requirements that may be necessary to perform the job.

Black Hawk College does not sponsor employment visas.

Black Hawk College is an AA / EEO employer.

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