College of Charleston
Director of Governmental Affairs
🇺🇸 Hybrid - Columbia, SC
🕑 Full-Time
💰 TBD
💻 Other
🗓️ August 18th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
College of Charleston is hiring a Director of Governmental Affairs. The Director coordinates activities with government officials across federal, state, and local levels, builds strategic communications, and develops an annual legislative agenda in collaboration with the President, Executive Team, and Board of Trustees. The role includes managing relationships with elected officials and working with external lobbying firms as needed.
Highlights
- Represent the College with South Carolina General Assembly members, state and federal officials, and local governments.
- Develop and implement an annual legislative agenda and strategy in collaboration with college leadership.
- Attend legislative committee meetings to monitor and analyze legislation impacting the College.
- Advise the President, Board of Trustees, and Executive Team on legislative priorities and community issues.
- Lead special projects assigned by the President or Board of Trustees.
- Must have established relationships with SC House and Senate members and their staffs, and understand federal, state, and local government relations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills required; experience working with executive teams and boards expected.
- Bachelor’s degree and five years of high-level government relations experience required; higher education issues knowledge preferred.
- Position requires regular travel and afterhours work; ideally based in Columbia.
- Compensation is commensurate with education and experience; full benefits package included (health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave, and more).
Director of Governmental Affairs Full Description
Director of Governmental Affairs
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Please complete the application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
*Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements.
*Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements.
Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check.
All applications must be submitted online https://jobs.cofc.edu.
Internal Title | Director of Governmental Affairs
Position Type | Unclassified
Faculty / Non-Faculty / Administration | Administration
Pay Band |
Level |
Department | President
Job Purpose | Director of Governmental Affairs works closely with the President and his Executive Team to coordinate activities related to the College of Charleston with members of the South Carolina General Assembly and other government officials at the federal, state, and local levels. Director builds strategic and proactive communications across the state, establishes and maintains relationships with elected and appointed officials, and serves as a liaison between the College, relevant government organizations, and their staff. Director is responsible for developing an annual legislative agenda and strategy in close collaboration with the President, Executive Team, and Board of Trustees and will work with internal and external partners to implement that strategy. Will work closely with external lobbying firms as necessary and appropriate.
Minimum Requirements | Bachelor’s degree and five years of high-level experience working with government officials are required. A demonstrated understanding of issues related to higher education is highly preferred. Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities | Established relationships with current members of the South Carolina House and Senate and their respective staff. Understanding of federal legislative relations, community relations and how local and federal government relations efforts work closely with state relationships and strategies. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and a demonstrated history as a team player. Proven ability to work closely with leadership/executive teams in establishing and strengthening legislative relationships. Experience working with board leadership structures.
Additional Comments Regarding Position | Position will ideally be based in Columbia.
Regular travel and afterhours work during peak times is required.
Special Instructions to Applicants | Please complete the application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
*Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements.
Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check.
All applications must be submitted online https://jobs.cofc.edu.
Salary | *Commensurate with education and experience
Posting Date | 08/15/2025
Closing Date | 08/29/2025
Benefits | Insurance: Health/Dental/Vision Life Insurance Paid Leave: Sick/Annual/Parental Retirement Long Term Disability Paid Holidays Free CARTA Bus Service Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Full Benefits Package – Click Here
Open Until Filled | No
Posting Number | 2025116
EEO Statement | The College of Charleston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of sex, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, and other classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information, please visit eop.cofc.edu.
Quicklink for Posting | https://jobs.cofc.edu/postings/17047
Position Type | Unclassified
Faculty / Non-Faculty / Administration | Administration
Pay Band |
Level |
Department | President
Job Purpose | Director of Governmental Affairs works closely with the President and his Executive Team to coordinate activities related to the College of Charleston with members of the South Carolina General Assembly and other government officials at the federal, state, and local levels. Director builds strategic and proactive communications across the state, establishes and maintains relationships with elected and appointed officials, and serves as a liaison between the College, relevant government organizations, and their staff. Director is responsible for developing an annual legislative agenda and strategy in close collaboration with the President, Executive Team, and Board of Trustees and will work with internal and external partners to implement that strategy. Will work closely with external lobbying firms as necessary and appropriate.
Minimum Requirements | Bachelor’s degree and five years of high-level experience working with government officials are required. A demonstrated understanding of issues related to higher education is highly preferred. Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities | Established relationships with current members of the South Carolina House and Senate and their respective staff. Understanding of federal legislative relations, community relations and how local and federal government relations efforts work closely with state relationships and strategies. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and a demonstrated history as a team player. Proven ability to work closely with leadership/executive teams in establishing and strengthening legislative relationships. Experience working with board leadership structures.
Additional Comments Regarding Position | Position will ideally be based in Columbia.
Regular travel and afterhours work during peak times is required.
Special Instructions to Applicants | Please complete the application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
*Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements.
Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check.
All applications must be submitted online https://jobs.cofc.edu.
Salary | *Commensurate with education and experience
Posting Date | 08/15/2025
Closing Date | 08/29/2025
Benefits | Insurance: Health/Dental/Vision Life Insurance Paid Leave: Sick/Annual/Parental Retirement Long Term Disability Paid Holidays Free CARTA Bus Service Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Full Benefits Package – Click Here
Open Until Filled | No
Posting Number | 2025116
EEO Statement | The College of Charleston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of sex, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, and other classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information, please visit eop.cofc.edu.
Quicklink for Posting | https://jobs.cofc.edu/postings/17047
Job Duties
Activity | Represents the interests of the College of Charleston with elected representatives of the South Carolina General Assembly and members of their staff, as well as the Office of the Governor, state constitutional officers, federal legislative and executive partners and local elected officials and governments. Leads, counsels, and coordinates federal, state, and local government relations matters on behalf of the College. Builds relationships with lawmakers and officials at all levels and monitors and routinely reports on any impactful legislation from start to finish.
Essential or Marginal | Essential
Percent of Time | 30Activity | Advises and counsels the President, Board of Trustees, and Executive Team of the College to identify legislative priorities, strategies, and opportunities. Provides regular, comprehensive updates and assessments in anticipation of legislative efforts and initiatives.
Essential or Marginal | Essential
Percent of Time | 30Activity | Attends state and local legislative committee meetings to monitor progress of impactful legislation, and provides comprehensive analysis of effects and impacts to College officials.
Essential or Marginal | Essential
Percent of Time | 15Activity | Provides support to legislators in formulating responses to constituent inquiries concerning the College of Charleston. Keeps elected officials and their respective staffs informed and aware of key College of Charleston activities. Advises President and Executive Team on community issues that concern or interest legislators, and work with appropriate members of the College’s leadership and Board to facilitate resolutions.
Essential or Marginal | Essential
Percent of Time | 15Activity | Leads special projects as assigned by the President or Board of Trustees.
Essential or Marginal | Essential
Percent of Time | 10
Essential or Marginal | Essential
Percent of Time | 30Activity | Advises and counsels the President, Board of Trustees, and Executive Team of the College to identify legislative priorities, strategies, and opportunities. Provides regular, comprehensive updates and assessments in anticipation of legislative efforts and initiatives.
Essential or Marginal | Essential
Percent of Time | 30Activity | Attends state and local legislative committee meetings to monitor progress of impactful legislation, and provides comprehensive analysis of effects and impacts to College officials.
Essential or Marginal | Essential
Percent of Time | 15Activity | Provides support to legislators in formulating responses to constituent inquiries concerning the College of Charleston. Keeps elected officials and their respective staffs informed and aware of key College of Charleston activities. Advises President and Executive Team on community issues that concern or interest legislators, and work with appropriate members of the College’s leadership and Board to facilitate resolutions.
Essential or Marginal | Essential
Percent of Time | 15Activity | Leads special projects as assigned by the President or Board of Trustees.
Essential or Marginal | Essential
Percent of Time | 10
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- CofC - Alumni Career Services
- College of Charleston Website
- Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
- Glassdoor
- Handshake
- HigherEdJobs
- Indeed.com
- Internal Job Posting
- jbcjobs (Joint Base Charleston Military & Family Readiness)
- Job Fair
- Monster.com
- Personal Referral
- Post and Courier
- Public Job Posting
- SC Works (SC Department of Employment and Workforce)
- Word of mouth
- Other
- National Labor Exchange
- CareerBuilder
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter / Letter of Application
Optional Documents
- Other Document
- Other Document 2
- Other Document 3
- Form DD 214
Email: jobs@cofc.edu
General Information: 843.953.5512
Mailing Address: 66 George St.
Charleston, SC 29424
General Information: 843.953.5512
Mailing Address: 66 George St.
Charleston, SC 29424
HR Office 160 Calhoun St.
Lightsey Building B36
Charleston, SC 29424
Campus Maps
©2020 All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
Lightsey Building B36
Charleston, SC 29424
Campus Maps
©2020 All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
Similar Jobs
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
🇺🇸 Harlingen, TX
STEPS Administrative Support Associate
University of Kentucky
🇺🇸 Lexington, KY
PROGRAM COORDINATOR (DOCTORAL PROGRAM)
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
🇺🇸 Hybrid - Rio Grande Valley, TX
Educational Consultant
North Carolina State University
🇺🇸 Raleigh, NC
Instructional Technology Assistant
Kentucky Community & Technical College System
🇺🇸 Paducah, KY
