The University of the District of Columbia is a public, comprehensive university with an urban land-grant distinction. It is the District of Columbia’s only public institution of higher education. It has historically been a minority serving institution. The University services approximately 5,000 students across its two-year baccalaureate, masters, and professional programs. The Washington metropolitan community provides an exceptional learning laboratory for faculty, staff, and students. The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) seeks an experienced Executive Director for External Affairs to join our team as we strive to become an “Advanced Public System of Higher Learning that Serves the Community of the District”.

Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: open to the public

Position Status: full-time, regular

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058,2B

Salary Range: up to $123,146.00

Closing Date: Open until filled

Location: Van Ness Campus, Washington, DC

Brief Description of Duties

The Executive Director for External Affairs will be responsible for the supervision and administrative management of the University’s integrated marketing communications plan and fundraising. The Departments of the Office of External Affairs responsible for making this a reality are: Media Relations and Communications, including the Cable TV Station; Governmental Relations at the federal and local levels; and Alumni and Constituency Relations/Event Planning. The Executive Director for External Affairs reports to the Chief of Staff, and will work closely with the President and the Executive Cabinet.

1. Monitor the exchange of information between the University and its stakeholders in order to build support for its mission while providing information of the University’s objectives, goals and programs.
2. Maintain a relationship with the University’s Foundation Association to provide financial assistance to UDC for the purpose of establishing or strengthening its financial management, academic resources and endowment building capacity and infrastructure.
3. Create a program to provide financial assistance to students especially with regard to student scholarship, indebtedness and assistance programs.
4. Initiate and engage alumni, community, businesses and other stakeholders in programs that will encourage financial support for the UDC mission and purpose.
5. Create an integrated marketing communications strategy with goal of expanding University’s brand and identity awareness.
6. Responsible for meeting with and overseeing all forms of communications released by departmental and schools’ media relations staff.
7. Supervise the following units:
   • Media Relations and Communications - Involves working with various media for the purpose of informing the public of the UDC’s mission, policies and practices in a positive, consistent and credible manner.  This unit coordinates directly with the media professionals responsible for producing the news and features in mass media to maximize as much positive coverage as possible. Provides news and information of UDC activities, teaching, research and service to local, state, national, international and social media.  This unit also prepares and distributes news releases, responds to reporters seeking expert commentary on matters of public interest, writes and edits various internal and external communications including, but not limited to our LEGACY magazine.  Media Relations also serves as the UDC official press liaison during emergencies or crises.
   • Governmental and Constituency Relations - Federal Relations-represents UDC by advancing its priorities with Members of Congress, their staff and federal agency administrators, and by monitoring legislation and pointing out ways UDC can benefit from federal legislation or programs.
   • Local Relations - works with Mayor’s Office, District Council Members, ANC members, and other agency officials to advance UDC academic and legislative agenda.
   • Community Relations-serves as a link between UDC and the surrounding neighborhoods and civic groups to build relationships between UDC and these groups by the exchange of information and coordinating the UDC response to community issues.
   • Alumni Relations Constituency and Event Planning - Works closely with the Alumni Associations Board of Directors for the planning and implementation of programs and projects that strategically engage alumni in strengthening programs and provide tangible benefits to alumni and current students. Ensures accurate and complete alumni database records, and assists in creating alumni chapters in various locales.Responsible for working with University personnel in planning and executing university-wide events, i.e. Founders’ Day, Commencement,Convocation, conferences, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, banquets, luncheons, etc.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree in communications, public relations or a related field, Masters preferred
2. Minimum 5 years’ experience  in Executive level position
3. Proven fundraising experience
4. Exceptional writing and verbal communications skills
5. Public speaking experience

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is not part of the collective bargaining unit.  

Employment Benefits
Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA-CREF).

Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business,  or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business,  or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Residency Preference: The Residency Preference Amendment Act of 1988, D.C. Law 7-203, created a system in which provides that any applicant for employment in the Career or Educational Services who is a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia may claim a residency reference at the time of application. An applicant selected for an appointment based on District residency will be required to submit no less than eight (8) proofs of bona fide District residency. Bona fide District residency must be maintained from the date of appointment to the position for seven (7) consecutive years. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the (7) year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia.  The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources Only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-5020.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: http://www.udc.edu/equal opportunity/.