Assistant Vice President Community Benefit & Government Affairs

Job Summary

The Assistant Vice President for Community Benefit & Government Affairs (AVP) will advance Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) priorities through strategy development and implementation, including ensuring strategies align with WesternU’s commitment to improving the health of our community.

Essential Job Duties

• Develop and execute multi-faceted external affairs or community impact strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
• Build, manage, and sustain cross-sector partnerships (e.g., nonprofit, public sector, healthcare systems, philanthropy).
• Oversee or collaborate with government relations functions, including policy strategy, legislative engagement, or contract development at the local, state, or federal level.
• Secure, manage, or influence funding streams, including grants, public-sector funding, or philanthropic investments.
• Lead complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders, with evidence of measurable community or organizational impact.
• Advising senior leadership and contributing to institutional strategy, with experience presenting to executive leadership or governing boards.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of community engagement practices, community benefit frameworks, and population health strategies, including social determinants of health and health equity principles.
• Government relations processes, including legislative and regulatory environments at local, state, and federal levels.
• Higher education and academic health system environments, including mission alignment and stakeholder engagement dynamics.
• Public-private partnerships, philanthropy, and external funding mechanisms, including grants and government contracts.
• Cross-sector collaboration models involving nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, government entities, and community-based partners.
• Strategic planning methodologies, program evaluation techniques, and impact measurement frameworks.
• Exceptional strategic planning and execution skills, with the ability to translate institutional priorities into measurable external initiatives.
• Advanced relationship management and partnership development skills, with demonstrated success engaging diverse stakeholders and building trust across sectors.
• Strong communication skills, including executive-level writing, public speaking, and the ability to tailor messaging to varied audiences (community, policymakers, board members, etc.).
• Skilled in policy analysis and advocacy, including synthesizing complex legislative issues into actionable strategies.
• Financial and resource development acumen, including identifying, securing, and stewarding funding opportunities.
• Advanced leadership and team management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex systems and identify leverage points for change.
• Proficiency in project and program management, including managing multiple high-impact initiatives simultaneously.

Posting Date: 07/01/2026

Closing Date: 7/1/2027

For more information, visit https://jobs.westernu.edu/postings/36665