Milwaukee Area Technical College
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & External Affairs
Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 53244
Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is Wisconsin's largest and most diverse technical college, offering 170+ high‑quality programs that connect students to a career in as little as one to two years. MATC also offers a less expensive path to a four‑year degree. The college is transforming lives, industry and our community by preparing students today for the careers of tomorrow. Together, we are meeting the needs of the community we share and are focused on students with the greatest needs. We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team who share the same passion in serving this purpose.
Presidential Support and Executive Operations
Senior Advisory Role:
Serve as the President's principal strategic advisor and senior confidant on all institutional matters. Manage the President's priorities and strategic initiatives.
Presidential Liaison:
Serve as primary liaison between the President and Board of Directors, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. Represent the institution at high‑level external meetings and events when designated by the President.
Strategic Project Management:
Lead and coordinate high‑priority presidential initiatives and cross‑divisional projects. Ensure alignment of institutional activities with presidential priorities and strategic goals.
Government and Legislative Affairs
Government Relations Leadership:
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.
Legislative Strategy and Advocacy:
Monitor, analyze, and respond to legislative and regulatory developments. Develop and implement advocacy strategies to advance institutional priorities and secure favorable policy outcomes.
Regulatory Affairs:
Monitor regulatory changes affecting the institution. Coordinate institutional responses to proposed regulations and maintain relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies.
Strategic Communications and Marketing
Strategic Communications Leadership:
Develop and implement comprehensive strategic communication plans to advance MATC's brand identity, reputation, enrollment goals, and institutional priorities.
Executive Communications:
Oversee presidential communications including speeches, presentations, statements, and key messaging. Develop communication strategies for sensitive issues, crisis situations, and high‑stakes institutional matters.
Crisis Communication:
Lead institutional crisis communication and reputation management. Coordinate responses to emergencies, controversies, and sensitive situations.
External Relationships and Partnerships
Strategic Stakeholder Management:
Build and maintain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders, including media, community leaders, industry partners, and advocacy groups.
Industry and Business Partnerships:
Develop and maintain partnerships with business and industry leaders to support program development and student success.
Strategic Planning and Institutional Research & Effectiveness
Strategic Planning Leadership:
Lead development and implementation of institutional strategic planning processes. Facilitate strategic planning sessions and ensure alignment with presidential priorities.
Performance Management:
Monitor institutional key performance indicators and present findings to leadership. Support data‑informed decision making processes throughout the organization.
Organizational Coordination and Operations
Cross‑Divisional Leadership:
Coordinate activities and initiatives across all institutional divisions. Resolve cross‑functional challenges and ensure seamless operations.
Change Management:
Lead organizational change initiatives and transformation projects. Facilitate adoption of new policies, procedures, and strategic directions.
Leadership and Supervision:
Develop and manage a high‑performing team focused on quality and value‑added services. Responsibilities include hiring, coaching, performance management, and progressive discipline.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Deep knowledge of governmental processes, legislative procedures, and policy development at local, state, and federal levels.
Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, and regulatory agencies.
Exceptional leadership and management skills with thorough understanding of higher education administration.
Strong organizational and project management capabilities with ability to manage multiple high‑priority initiatives.
Advanced expertise in strategic communications planning and execution.
Experience in crisis communication and sensitive issue management.
Proven ability to manage media relations and serve as primary institutional spokesperson.
Advanced strategic thinking and planning capabilities with ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Knowledge of institutional effectiveness principles and practices.
Experience in change management and organizational transformation.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
Core Competencies
Business insight, Decision quality, Resourcefulness, Plans and aligns, Drives results, Manages conflict
Develops talent, Builds effective teams, Demonstrates self‑awareness, Instills trust, Customer focus
Action oriented, Values differences, Self‑development, Compassion
Required Education & Experience
Master's degree in a relevant field (public affairs, public policy, government relations, communications, higher education administration, etc.).
Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible senior management experience in higher education.
Five (5) years of administrative supervision experience including management of various position levels.
Experience serving in senior advisory capacity to executive leadership.
Experience with strategic planning and organizational management.
Experience with external stakeholder management and strategic communications.
Preferred Education & Experience
Doctorate (PhD/EdD) in a relevant field.
Minimum five (5) years of experience in government relations, legislative affairs, or public policy roles.
Minimum three (3) years of 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.
Start Date : Tentative start date March 2, 2026.
Hours : Minimum commitment of 40 hours per week. Standard work schedule Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; occasional overtime may be necessary.
Salary Information : Salary is listed to the midpoint of the range and placement is determined based on experience, internal salary equity, and a review of the applicant’s background.
Application Materials
Completed job application.
Cover letter or CV.
Resume.
Interviews
One‑way video interview through Spark Hire, January 19 – January 23.
In‑person or virtual panel interviews, around January 29.
Final in‑person interviews, around February 4 or February 5.
Candidates from out of state will be reimbursed for travel.
EEO Statement
Milwaukee Area Technical College will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law. Milwaukee Area Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Access Educator/Employer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need special accommodation for the application process, please contact our office at 414‑297‑6529 or email jobs@matc.edu.
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Presidential Support and Executive Operations
Senior Advisory Role:
Serve as the President's principal strategic advisor and senior confidant on all institutional matters. Manage the President's priorities and strategic initiatives.
Presidential Liaison:
Serve as primary liaison between the President and Board of Directors, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. Represent the institution at high‑level external meetings and events when designated by the President.
Strategic Project Management:
Lead and coordinate high‑priority presidential initiatives and cross‑divisional projects. Ensure alignment of institutional activities with presidential priorities and strategic goals.
Government and Legislative Affairs
Government Relations Leadership:
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.
Legislative Strategy and Advocacy:
Monitor, analyze, and respond to legislative and regulatory developments. Develop and implement advocacy strategies to advance institutional priorities and secure favorable policy outcomes.
Regulatory Affairs:
Monitor regulatory changes affecting the institution. Coordinate institutional responses to proposed regulations and maintain relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies.
Strategic Communications and Marketing
Strategic Communications Leadership:
Develop and implement comprehensive strategic communication plans to advance MATC's brand identity, reputation, enrollment goals, and institutional priorities.
Executive Communications:
Oversee presidential communications including speeches, presentations, statements, and key messaging. Develop communication strategies for sensitive issues, crisis situations, and high‑stakes institutional matters.
Crisis Communication:
Lead institutional crisis communication and reputation management. Coordinate responses to emergencies, controversies, and sensitive situations.
External Relationships and Partnerships
Strategic Stakeholder Management:
Build and maintain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders, including media, community leaders, industry partners, and advocacy groups.
Industry and Business Partnerships:
Develop and maintain partnerships with business and industry leaders to support program development and student success.
Strategic Planning and Institutional Research & Effectiveness
Strategic Planning Leadership:
Lead development and implementation of institutional strategic planning processes. Facilitate strategic planning sessions and ensure alignment with presidential priorities.
Performance Management:
Monitor institutional key performance indicators and present findings to leadership. Support data‑informed decision making processes throughout the organization.
Organizational Coordination and Operations
Cross‑Divisional Leadership:
Coordinate activities and initiatives across all institutional divisions. Resolve cross‑functional challenges and ensure seamless operations.
Change Management:
Lead organizational change initiatives and transformation projects. Facilitate adoption of new policies, procedures, and strategic directions.
Leadership and Supervision:
Develop and manage a high‑performing team focused on quality and value‑added services. Responsibilities include hiring, coaching, performance management, and progressive discipline.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Deep knowledge of governmental processes, legislative procedures, and policy development at local, state, and federal levels.
Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, and regulatory agencies.
Exceptional leadership and management skills with thorough understanding of higher education administration.
Strong organizational and project management capabilities with ability to manage multiple high‑priority initiatives.
Advanced expertise in strategic communications planning and execution.
Experience in crisis communication and sensitive issue management.
Proven ability to manage media relations and serve as primary institutional spokesperson.
Advanced strategic thinking and planning capabilities with ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Knowledge of institutional effectiveness principles and practices.
Experience in change management and organizational transformation.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
Core Competencies
Business insight, Decision quality, Resourcefulness, Plans and aligns, Drives results, Manages conflict
Develops talent, Builds effective teams, Demonstrates self‑awareness, Instills trust, Customer focus
Action oriented, Values differences, Self‑development, Compassion
Required Education & Experience
Master's degree in a relevant field (public affairs, public policy, government relations, communications, higher education administration, etc.).
Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible senior management experience in higher education.
Five (5) years of administrative supervision experience including management of various position levels.
Experience serving in senior advisory capacity to executive leadership.
Experience with strategic planning and organizational management.
Experience with external stakeholder management and strategic communications.
Preferred Education & Experience
Doctorate (PhD/EdD) in a relevant field.
Minimum five (5) years of experience in government relations, legislative affairs, or public policy roles.
Minimum three (3) years of 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.
Start Date : Tentative start date March 2, 2026.
Hours : Minimum commitment of 40 hours per week. Standard work schedule Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; occasional overtime may be necessary.
Salary Information : Salary is listed to the midpoint of the range and placement is determined based on experience, internal salary equity, and a review of the applicant’s background.
Application Materials
Completed job application.
Cover letter or CV.
Resume.
Interviews
One‑way video interview through Spark Hire, January 19 – January 23.
In‑person or virtual panel interviews, around January 29.
Final in‑person interviews, around February 4 or February 5.
Candidates from out of state will be reimbursed for travel.
EEO Statement
Milwaukee Area Technical College will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law. Milwaukee Area Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Access Educator/Employer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need special accommodation for the application process, please contact our office at 414‑297‑6529 or email jobs@matc.edu.
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