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Description
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Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is Wisconsin's largest and most diverse technical college, offering 170+ high-quality programs that connect students to a career in as little as one to two years. The college also offers a less expensive path to a four-year degree. MATC is transforming lives, industry and our community by preparing students today for the careers of tomorrow. Together, we are meeting the needs of the community we share and are focused on students with the greatest needs. We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team who shares the same passion in serving this purpose. Learn more about MATC at www.matc.edu. Serves as the President's principal strategic advisor and senior confidant, functioning as the primary liaison between the President and all internal and external stakeholders. Provides executive leadership and oversight for governmental and legislative affairs, strategic communications and marketing, institutional research and effectiveness, and strategic planning. Acts as the President's senior deputy, coordinating cross-divisional initiatives, managing high-priority presidential projects, and ensuring seamless execution of institutional priorities. Represents the President and institution at high-level meetings, events, and functions while serving as primary spokesperson for the college. Leads comprehensive government relations strategy and external relationship building with elected officials at all levels, regulatory agencies, community leaders, industry partners, and media. Directs strategic communications, public affairs initiatives, and advocacy efforts while ensuring institutional effectiveness and strategic planning processes support organizational goals and student success.
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Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
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Presidential Support and Executive Operations
- Senior Advisory Role: Serve as the President's principal strategic advisor and senior confidant on all institutional matters. Manage the President's priorities, strategic initiatives, and key relationships to maximize presidential effectiveness. Coordinate and facilitate senior leadership team meetings and strategic planning sessions.
- Presidential Liaison: Serve as primary liaison between the President and Board of Directors, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. In the absence of the President, or when strategically beneficial, serve as the institution's official representative and spokesperson. Represent the institution at high-level external meetings and events when designated by the President.
- Strategic Project Management: Lead and coordinate high-priority presidential initiatives and cross-divisional projects. Ensure alignment of institutional activities with presidential priorities and strategic goals. Manage special assignments and sensitive institutional matters on behalf of the President.
Government and Legislative Affairs
- Government Relations Leadership: Serve as the college's principal government relations officer and chief advocate. Lead comprehensive government relations strategy and execution at local, state, and federal levels. Build and maintain strategic relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, regulators, policy makers, and government agency leaders. Serve as primary liaison with Wisconsin Technical College System on all legislative and policy matters.
- Legislative Strategy and Advocacy: Monitor, analyze, and respond to legislative and regulatory developments affecting technical colleges, workforce development, and higher education. Develop and implement advocacy strategies to advance institutional priorities and secure favorable policy outcomes. Coordinate institutional positions on pending legislation and regulatory proposals. Testify before legislative committees and regulatory bodies as needed.
- Regulatory Affairs: Monitor regulatory changes affecting the institution. Coordinate institutional responses to proposed regulations. Maintain relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies. Ensure compliance with governmental reporting and accountability requirements.
Strategic Communications and Marketing
- Strategic Communications Leadership: Develop and implement comprehensive strategic communication plans to advance MATC's brand identity, reputation, enrollment goals, and institutional priorities. Create integrated marketing and public relations strategies that amplify MATC's mission, value proposition, and impact. Serve as primary institutional spokesperson and media contact.
- Executive Communications: Oversee presidential communications including speeches, presentations, statements, and key messaging. Develop communication strategies for sensitive issues, crisis situations, and high-stakes institutional matters. Ensure consistent, compelling messaging across all institutional communications.
- Crisis Communication: Lead institutional crisis communication and reputation management. Coordinate responses to emergencies, controversies, and sensitive situations. Develop crisis communication protocols and train leadership in crisis response. Serve as the primary institutional voice during crises.
External Relationships and Partnerships
- Strategic Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders including media, community leaders, industry partners, and advocacy groups. Foster relationships with community organizations to enhance college presence and impact. Manage college advisory committee relationships ensuring meaningful input into program development.
- Industry and Business Partnerships: Develop and maintain partnerships with business and industry leaders to support program development and student success. Coordinate with industry partners to evaluate programs and implement changes. Build strategic alliances that advance institutional priorities and student outcomes.
Strategic Planning and Institutional Research & Effectiveness
- Strategic Planning Leadership: Lead development and implementation of institutional strategic planning processes. Facilitate strategic planning sessions and ensure alignment with presidential priorities. Coordinate strategic plan implementation across all divisions and departments. Monitor progress toward strategic goals and provide regular updates to leadership.
- Performance Management: Monitor institutional key performance indicators and present findings to leadership. Support data-informed decision making processes throughout the organization. Coordinate institutional reporting requirements for internal and external stakeholders.
Organizational Coordination and Operations
- Cross-Divisional Leadership: Coordinate activities and initiatives across all institutional divisions. Facilitate communication and collaboration between departments and divisions. Resolve cross-functional challenges and ensure seamless operations. Lead institutional committees and task forces as assigned by the President.
- Change Management: Lead organizational change initiatives and transformation projects. Facilitate adoption of new policies, procedures, and strategic directions. Manage institutional responses to internal and external challenges. Ensure effective communication of changes throughout the organization.
- Cross Functional Relationships and Collaborative Teamwork: Establishes, maintains, and enhances positive work relationships with staff, faculty, and administrators.
- Leadership and Supervision: Develops and manages high performing team highly skilled and motivated staff focused on the delivery of quality and value-added services, and allocates cross-functional responsibilities and work processes. Responsibilities include hiring, coaching/mentoring, performance management, and progressive discipline as needed.
- Continuous Learning & Professional Development: Maintains current knowledge of best practices and standards in higher education with an emphasis on community Colleges. Actively organizes and/or participates in applicable workgroups, trainings, workshops, seminars, committees and professional associations or conferences to promote continuous learning.
- Other duties: Perform other related duties within the scope of the position as required for the efficient operation of the division and to support institutional objectives.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Deep knowledge of governmental processes, legislative procedures, and policy development at local, state, and federal levels
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing comprehensive government relations strategies
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, and regulatory agencies
- Experience managing external lobbyists and advocacy consultants
- Knowledge of higher education policy, workforce development policy, and technical education funding mechanisms
- Exceptional leadership and management skills with thorough understanding of higher education administration
- Demonstrated ability to serve effectively as senior advisor and confidant to executive leadership
- Strong organizational and project management capabilities with ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives
- Proven ability to represent organization at highest levels and serve as institutional spokesperson
- Advanced expertise in strategic communications planning and execution
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with ability to craft compelling messaging for diverse audiences
- Knowledge of marketing, branding, and public relations best practices
- Experience in crisis communication and sensitive issue management
- Proven ability to manage media relations and serve as primary institutional spokesperson
- Advanced strategic thinking and planning capabilities with ability to translate vision into actionable plans
- Knowledge of institutional effectiveness principles and practices
- Ability to think systemically and understand complex organizational dynamic
- Experience in change management and organizational transformation
- Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills across diverse stakeholder groups
- Proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with external partners and stakeholders
- Experience in community engagement and partnership development
- Ability to represent institution at high-level external events and functions
- Knowledge of budgeting and financial management practices
- Proficiency in data analysis and institutional research methods
- Advanced proficiency in technology platforms and information systems
- Understanding of accreditation and regulatory compliance requirements
- High degree of personal integrity, discretion, and confidentiality
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities
- Strong emotional intelligence and cultural competency
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles
Core Competencies:
- Business insight
- Decision quality
- Resourcefulness
- Plans and aligns
- Drives results
- Manages conflict
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- Develops talent
- Builds effective teams
- Demonstrates self-awareness
- Instills trust
- Customer focus
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- Action oriented
- Values differences
- Self-development
- Compassion
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Qualifications
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Compliance with all state, federal, and accreditation standards/requirement, as well as all MATC policies and procedures. Required Education & Experience: Master's degree in relevant field (public affairs, public policy, government relations, public relations, communications, marketing, higher education administration, business administration, political science, or related field). Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible senior management experience, preferably in higher education; Five (5) years of administrative supervision experience including supervision of various position levels including manager positions and above.
- Demonstrated experience serving in senior advisory capacity to executive leadership
- Experience in strategic planning and organizational management
- Experience with external stakeholder management and strategic communications
Preferred Education & Experience:
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Supplemental Information
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Start Date: This position supports the Institutional Strategy Division and reports directly to the President, Dr. Cruz. Tentative start date March 2, 2026
Hours: This position requires a minimum commitment of 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional overtime may be necessary based on business needs.
Salary Information: Salary is listed to the midpoint of the range and placement is determined based on years of experience, internal salary equity, and a review of the applicant's employment and educational background as listed on the fully completed job application.
Application Materials:
Interviews: Selected qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the following activities
- One way video interview through Spark Hire, January 19 - January 23
- In-Person or Virtual Panel Interviews, on or around January 29
- Final in-person interviews, on or around February 4 or February 5
- Candidates from out of state will be reimbursed for travel
EEO: Milwaukee Area Technical College will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law.
Milwaukee Area Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Access Educator/Employer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need special accommodation for the application process, please contact our office at 414-297-6529 (Wisconsin Relay System: 711) or email jobs@matc.edu
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Milwaukee Area Technical College
$142,662.00 - $192,599.00 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, flexible benefit account, vacation time, paid holidays, sick time, tuition reimbursement, 403(b), retirement plan, pension
Dec 10, 2025