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Vice President for Government and Community Relations

Vice President for Government and Community Relations

Tulane University

New Orleans, LA - United States

Tulane University – one of the nation’s most distinguished and ambitious institutions of higher learning – is seeking a seasoned executive to lead its Office of Government and Community Relations.

Reporting to Tulane’s Vice President for Public Affairs and Chief Communications Officer, the Vice President for Government and Community Relations (VPGCR) is responsible for collaborating with university leaders to develop and successfully advance Tulane’s public policy priorities. The Vice President cultivates and sustains meaningful relationships with policymakers in federal, state, and local government, develops and implements strategies to identify and secure government funding for higher education, health care, and academic medicine, educates key constituencies, and advocates for policies that support the University’s mission and higher education interests. The Vice President leads a team of government and community relations professionals who interface daily with a broad group of stakeholders.

This executive also advances the interests of the Tulane community by managing external resources and working in partnership with other colleges and universities, medical research and science organizations, and higher education associations and coalitions, including the Association of American Universities (AAU) of which Tulane is a distinguished member.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess a wealth of experience working for or in complex organizations that influence public policymakers by effectively designing and executing advocacy strategies through relationship building and in partnership with other University colleagues, especially in the Office of Communications and Marketing. This executive will bring finely tuned “street smarts” about Louisiana’s local, federal, and state governmental decision-making processes, players, and politics. Finally, this individual will have a keen appreciation for the mission of a major research university and the work of navigating stakeholder needs and expectations to build and sustain relevance and credibility.

The new VPGCR will be presented with the opportunity to:

Serve as a senior leader in a university known for its growth, momentum, audacity, creativity, and openness to new ideas, and its emphasis on leveraging its strengths on behalf of the state, city, and surrounding communities.
Engineer and implement breakthrough strategies that positively position Tulane’s reputation and appreciation for its added value to the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans.
Engage with a broad and diverse mix of public officials and leaders at the local, state, and national levels to help define and gain support for key university priorities.
Partner with community and private sector partners to further enhance Tulane’s connection with – and contributions to – the local and state economies.
Join and collaborate with an outstanding senior leadership team led by a dynamic President.
Engage with dedicated governance groups at all levels of the organization.
Reside in a historic region that has been recognized for its high quality of life, richness of culture, and diversity of its residents.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the leadership themes presented in the leadership profile.

WittKieffer is assisting Tulane University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by June 1, 2025. All interested individuals and formal candidates will be provided with full confidentiality during and after the search process.

Application materials should be submitted using the buttons below. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: John K. Thornburgh and Lauren Bruce-Stets at [email protected].

Tulane University is located in New Orleans—a city with a rich history of vibrant cultures, communities, and languages—and is committed to fostering a welcoming environment for all. Equal Opportunity Notice Tulane University is an equal opportunity educator and employer committed to providing an education and employment environment free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Legally protected demographic classifications (such as a person’s race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, shared ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws) are not relied upon as an eligibility, selection, or participation criteria for Tulane’s employment or educational programs or activities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. We are actively seeking candidates who are committed to supporting Tulane’s Core Values. Tulane University is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the Office of Human Resources by phone at 504-865-4748 or by email at [email protected].

Vice President for Government and Community Relations

Tulane University

New Orleans, LA - United States

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