Public Affairs Manager

About the role

The Public Affairs Manager supports the university’s government relations, community engagement and external partnership efforts. This role helps build and maintain relationships with elected officials, community organizations, business groups and civic partners.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining relationships with local, state and federal elected officials and government agencies.
• Maintain databases of government, community and business contacts.
• Track outreach activities, meetings and follow-up actions.
• Support budget tracking, consultant coordination and project management for public affairs initiatives.
• Monitor legislative activity, regulatory changes, and policy trends; prepare summaries and briefings for internal stakeholders; attend meetings and events at city hall and the State House, as necessary.
• Coordinate logistics for legislative meetings, campus visits, advocacy days and policy-related events.
• Draft correspondence, briefing materials and talking points for government engagement.
• Represent the university at community meetings and events as appropriate.
• Identify and support community engagement initiatives that align with university priorities and local needs.
• Manage community concerns and opportunities and communicate them to the vice president and campus leadership.
• Engage university neighbors with regular updates and information about the university to keep them informed.
• Support outreach to local chambers of commerce, industry associations and regional employers.
• Represent the university at business community events and regional economic development meetings when appropriate.
• Create annual economic impact report that explains the value of the university to the local community.
• Provide research, coordination and communication support during issues management or crisis situations.
• Help maintain preparedness plans and stakeholder contact lists.
• Write public affairs content including talking points, stakeholder updates, newsletters, and web content, as needed.
• Help draft public affairs content including talking points, stakeholder updates, newsletters, and web content, as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of related professional experience.
• Strong relationship building skills and comfort interacting with diverse stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of legislative processes and community dynamics.
• Excellent writing, research and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and work collaboratively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, communications or public administration preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in government relations, community engagement or public affairs preferred.

Skills

• Strong relationship building skills and comfort interacting with diverse stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of legislative processes and community dynamics.
• Excellent writing, research and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and work collaboratively.

Benefits

At Bentley we offer a “total rewards” package designed to attract, motivate, retain, and reward our employees. This includes competitive compensation, robust benefits, career development and opportunities, generous paid time off, workplace flexibility and a positive, engaging employee experience.

Pay

Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening. Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.