SEARCH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Assistant Vice Chancellor for City and Community Relations (“AVC”) plays a critical role in defining and distinguishing UMMS’s community relations strategy statewide, as well as leading the institution’s government relations efforts in the City of Worcester. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Government Relations, the AVC is a highly visible position that serves as a trusted representative of and compelling ambassador for UMMS in Worcester, the Central Massachusetts region and throughout the Commonwealth.

The AVC contributes to the advancement of the institution’s unique public mission and strategic objectives by interacting and collaborating with a diverse and wide array of individuals and constituent groups. The AVC develops, nurtures and sustains productive working relationships and strategic partnerships with elected and appointed officials at the municipal level and with community and civic-based organizations at the state level, with a particular focus on the greater Worcester region. Further, the AVC manages and promotes UMMS’s community and civic engagement by spearheading the institution’s annual community and charitable campaigns, representing UMMS at various community, civic and public events and acting as the primary conduit between UMMS and statewide community partners.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Identify strategically community constituencies and organizations with whom UMMS should establish or strengthen its relationships, evaluating priorities based upon factors such as community-identified need, potential for mission-consistent endeavors, and opportunity to demonstrate institutional commitment to the community
• Create and implement strategy to consistently publicize UMMS’s community-engagement, community impact and economic impact, including direct external outreach by the Office of Community and Government Relations and coordinated outreach with UMMS’s Office of Communications
• Build alliances with leadership of the City of Worcester Division of Public Health (“the DPH”) and Worcester Public Schools to identify mutually beneficial opportunities consistent with the missions of DPH and WPS and the educational, research,  health care and public service missions of UMMS
• Convene and lead an Academic Health Partnership Working Group consisting of UMMS faculty and staff, to evaluate mutually beneficial opportunities and coordinate implementation of initiatives in concert with the DPH, as envisioned in an MOU with the DPH
• Communicate and understand UMMS’s governmental policy and budgetary priorities and represent UMMS in strategic advocacy with city and state government officials
• Collaborate with UMMS Community Engagement Committee to identify and evaluate mission-consistent community-engagement opportunities, provide information and advice for faculty and students interested in establishing or improving community partnerships, and provide information to community groups interested in collaborating with UMMS
• Communicate with a variety of internal UMMS constituencies – including faculty, staff, students and committees – to continually stay informed of community efforts across the spectrum of UMMS and to assist in their efforts where appropriate
• Collaborate across UMMS departments and centers to organize and implement the medical school’s annual employee charitable campaign
• Organize community relations / community volunteerism events, including promotional efforts to encourage community volunteerism by members of the UMMS community (faculty, staff and students)
• Lead UMMS’s Collaboratory initiative to track, analyze and report on community-engagement and volunteerism efforts  
• Monitor UMMS’s progress in upholding its Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement classification.
• Review and make decisions on funding requests from community organizations. Responsibilities include creating and implementing decision-making criteria, managing budget and communicating directly with requesting agencies / entities.
• Foster and maintain relationships with key elected officials, particularly at the city level. Responsibilities include advocating for UMMS on policy matters, educating city officials on UMMS’s local engagement and impacts, leading dialogue with city officials and exploring opportunities for cooperative efforts consistent with UMMS’s mission and the responsibilities of city government.
• Support Vice Chancellor in engagement and dialogue with key state and federal officials and their staff. Responsibilities include strategic policy research and analysis relating to UMMS priorities.
• Represent and speak on behalf of UMMS in meetings and presentations with community and government stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as required. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Level Degree or equivalent
• 5 years of experience in community and/or government relations
• Ability to seek out and build organizational relationships with external institutions and constituencies
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including ability to collaboratively lead initiatives involving multiple departments in a complex organization
• Strong general knowledge of the health care and higher education sectors
• Well-rounded understanding of the Worcester area community, including its higher education, health care, non-profit and government sectors
• Ability to analyze complex materials, extract key messages and succinctly communicate to a broad audience
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to travel to offsite locations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Level Degree or equivalent
• Recognized as leader within the Worcester region
• Experience in advocating with municipal governments and familiarity with municipal lawmaking