NEOGOV · 1 month ago
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & External Affairs
Milwaukee, WI
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$143K/yr - $193K/yr
7+ years expMilwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is Wisconsin's largest and most diverse technical college, offering over 170 high-quality programs. They are seeking a Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & External Affairs to serve as the President's principal strategic advisor, overseeing governmental and legislative affairs, strategic communications, and institutional research.
GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware
Responsibilities
Serve as the President's principal strategic advisor and senior confidant on all institutional matters
Manage the President's priorities, strategic initiatives, and key relationships to maximize presidential effectiveness
Coordinate and facilitate senior leadership team meetings and strategic planning sessions
Serve as primary liaison between the President and Board of Directors, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders
In the absence of the President, or when strategically beneficial, serve as the institution's official representative and spokesperson
Represent the institution at high-level external meetings and events when designated by the President
Lead and coordinate high-priority presidential initiatives and cross-divisional projects
Ensure alignment of institutional activities with presidential priorities and strategic goals
Manage special assignments and sensitive institutional matters on behalf of the President
Serve as the college's principal government relations officer and chief advocate
Lead comprehensive government relations strategy and execution at local, state, and federal levels
Build and maintain strategic relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, regulators, policy makers, and government agency leaders
Serve as primary liaison with Wisconsin Technical College System on all legislative and policy matters
Monitor, analyze, and respond to legislative and regulatory developments affecting technical colleges, workforce development, and higher education
Develop and implement advocacy strategies to advance institutional priorities and secure favorable policy outcomes
Coordinate institutional positions on pending legislation and regulatory proposals
Testify before legislative committees and regulatory bodies as needed
Monitor regulatory changes affecting the institution
Coordinate institutional responses to proposed regulations
Maintain relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies
Ensure compliance with governmental reporting and accountability requirements
Develop and implement comprehensive strategic communication plans to advance MATC's brand identity, reputation, enrollment goals, and institutional priorities
Create integrated marketing and public relations strategies that amplify MATC's mission, value proposition, and impact
Serve as primary institutional spokesperson and media contact
Oversee presidential communications including speeches, presentations, statements, and key messaging
Develop communication strategies for sensitive issues, crisis situations, and high-stakes institutional matters
Ensure consistent, compelling messaging across all institutional communications
Lead institutional crisis communication and reputation management
Coordinate responses to emergencies, controversies, and sensitive situations
Develop crisis communication protocols and train leadership in crisis response
Build and maintain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders including media, community leaders, industry partners, and advocacy groups
Foster relationships with community organizations to enhance college presence and impact
Manage college advisory committee relationships ensuring meaningful input into program development
Develop and maintain partnerships with business and industry leaders to support program development and student success
Coordinate with industry partners to evaluate programs and implement changes
Build strategic alliances that advance institutional priorities and student outcomes
Lead development and implementation of institutional strategic planning processes
Facilitate strategic planning sessions and ensure alignment with presidential priorities
Coordinate strategic plan implementation across all divisions and departments
Monitor progress toward strategic goals and provide regular updates to leadership
Coordinate activities and initiatives across all institutional divisions
Facilitate communication and collaboration between departments and divisions
Resolve cross-functional challenges and ensure seamless operations
Lead institutional committees and task forces as assigned by the President
Lead organizational change initiatives and transformation projects
Facilitate adoption of new policies, procedures, and strategic directions
Manage institutional responses to internal and external challenges
Ensure effective communication of changes throughout the organization
Establishes, maintains, and enhances positive work relationships with staff, faculty, and administrators
Develops and manages high performing team highly skilled and motivated staff focused on the delivery of quality and value-added services, and allocates cross-functional responsibilities and work processes
Responsibilities include hiring, coaching/mentoring, performance management, and progressive discipline as needed
Maintains current knowledge of best practices and standards in higher education with an emphasis on community Colleges
Actively organizes and/or participates in applicable workgroups, trainings, workshops, seminars, committees and professional associations or conferences to promote continuous learning
Qualification
Required
Master's degree in relevant field (public affairs, public policy, government relations, public relations, communications, marketing, higher education administration, business administration, political science, or related field)
Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible senior management experience, preferably in higher education
Five (5) years of administrative supervision experience including supervision of various position levels including manager positions and above
Demonstrated experience serving in senior advisory capacity to executive leadership
Experience in strategic planning and organizational management
Experience with external stakeholder management and strategic communications
Preferred
Doctorate (PhD/EdD) in relevant field
Minimum five (5) years of experience in government relations, legislative affairs, or public policy roles
Minimum three (3) years executive leadership experience or more years of relevant senior leadership experience
Experience as senior advisor or principal deputy in higher education or similar complex organization
Direct experience managing lobbyists and external advocacy consultants
Experience in strategic communications, marketing, or public relations leadership
Experience in strategic planning, institutional research and effectiveness
Experience working with governing boards and elected officials
Experience in Wisconsin Technical College System or similar systems
Background in higher education policy or workforce development policy
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Group Life Insurance
Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Retirement Savings
Sick Leave
Vacation
Paid & Flexible (Floating) Holidays
Tuition Benefits
Company
NEOGOV
NEOGOV is the leading provider of workforce management software uniquely designed for the public sector, education, and public safety.
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
NEOGOV has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (13)
2024 (10)
2023 (10)
2022 (18)
2021 (14)
2020 (16)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$700MKey Investors
Warburg Pincus
2025-07-28Secondary Market· $700M
2025-07-28Acquired
2021-06-02Private Equity
Leadership Team
Shane Evangelist
CEO
Brandon McDonald
Head Of Marketing
Recent News
Canada NewsWire
2025-11-14
2025-11-14
Government Technology US
2025-10-31
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