Date Posted:
November 3, 2026
Position Title:
Associate Vice Chancellor for Government & Community Relations, Chancellor’s Office (5995U) #89316
Office/Company:
University of California, Berkeley
Party:
N/A
Office Code:
Job Number:
HC-13896
Reports To:
Location:
Berkeley, CA
Contact:
Salary:
The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $220,000.00 – $260,000.00. The full range associated with this job classification is broader and includes up to $280,000.00.
Primary Role
Secondary Role:
Job Type:
Full Time
Description:
Associate Vice Chancellor for Government & Community Relations, Chancellor’s Office (5995U) #89316 The Associate Vice Chancellor for Government & Community Relations (AVC GCR) serves as a senior strategic advisor and relationship manager responsible for advancing institutional priorities through engagement with local, state, federal, and Tribal governmental entities, community organizations, and external stakeholders. Reporting directly to the Chancellor at UC Berkeley, this position develops and implements government and community relations strategies, provides policy analysis and advocacy support, and represents the institution before governmental and public bodies. The position manages complex governmental, legislative, regulatory, and community engagement activities that support the University’s mission, strategic priorities, research agenda, and public service objectives. The incumbent manages high-profile and sensitive issues, cultivates strategic partnerships, and provides executive-level guidance regarding political, legislative, and policy matters affecting the institution. This role requires substantial political acumen, exceptional communication and relationship management skills, and extensive knowledge of governmental processes and higher education policy. UC Berkeley and UC System stakeholders described the role as a strategic, collaborative, and relationship-driven executive with nuanced political judgment and organizational leadership to serve as a trusted advisor to the Chancellor and the Chancellor’s Cabinet plus other executives. The person will demonstrate the ability to build and sustain trusted partnerships across government, the university, and surrounding communities while navigating Berkeley’s complex, decentralized, and shared-governance environment. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of strategic thinking, strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, sound judgment, resilience, and the ability to lead and develop a high-performing team effectively. Stakeholders also emphasized a commitment to Berkeley’s public mission and the ability to position Government & Community Relations as a proactive, coordinated, and strategic partner in advancing the university’s priorities. Application review will begin in early November. The position will be open until filled.
Responsibilities:
• Government Relations and Advocacy
• – Develops and implements comprehensive government relations strategies that support institutional priorities and initiatives.
• – Represents and manages a team that represents the University before local, state, federal, and Tribal governmental entities and community organizations.
• – Monitors legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments impacting higher education and advises campus leadership regarding implications and recommended actions.
• – Builds and maintains productive relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, governmental agencies, Tribal leaders, community organizations, and advocacy groups.
• – Coordinates institutional advocacy efforts related to legislative, budgetary, and regulatory matters.
• – Partners with UCOP Government Relations on issues as appropriate.
• – Assists academic, research and administrative units in identifying and pursuing governmental funding opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• – Develops briefing materials, talking points, position papers, correspondence, and policy recommendations for senior leadership.
• – Coordinates institutional responses to governmental inquiries, hearings, and public policy initiatives.
• Strategic Advising and Policy Analysis
• – Serves as a strategic advisor to senior leadership regarding governmental, political, and community relations matters.
Qualifications:
• – Advanced knowledge of local, state, federal, and/or Tribal governmental structures, legislative processes, and public policy development.
• – Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic government or public affairs initiatives.
• – Strong political acumen and ability to navigate sensitive and evolving complex issues.
• – Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• – Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with diverse constituencies and senior stakeholders.
• – Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess complex policy issues and develop strategic recommendations.
• – Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment.
• – Ability to exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality.
• – Experience preparing executive-level briefings, policy analyses, and strategic communications.
• – Strong organizational and project management skills. Strong skills in collaboration, delegation, and executive advising.
• – Supervisory or people leadership experience.
• – Strong people and resource leadership skills to motivate others, set goals for teams, and assess, mentor, or coach staff.
Instructions:
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter through jobs.berkeley.edu.
This search is being managed by Berkeley Executive Search (BES).
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Mandated Reporter
This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.
Misconduct Disclosure
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000701/AbusiveConduct
Equal Employment Opportunity
To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/9922646
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Other:
About Berkeley
At the https://www.berkeley.edu/, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation – driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.
At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and https://hr.berkeley.edu/grow. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and providing space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.
We invite applicants who are inspired by our https://chancellor.berkeley.edu/about/principles-community and who are eager to be part of our exciting https://strategicplan.berkeley.edu/n, which charts Berkeley’s next era of excellence.
Learn more about some of our accomplishments at https://inspire.berkeley.edu/o/pointsofpride/
Departmental Overview
The Office of Government and Community Relations (GCR) advances the University’s mission by developing and maintaining strong relationships with governmental agencies, elected officials, Tribal governments and organizations, community stakeholders, and advocacy partners. The office supports institutional priorities through legislative advocacy, public policy analysis, strategic communications, and community engagement. As part of the Chancellor’s office, GCR works to demonstrate the value of UC Berkeley as the nation’s leading public research University to elected officials, government agencies, the local community, and public at large.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
