Los Angeles Community College District

Serves as the key advisor to the Chancellor to translate goals and vision into plans of action; provides counsel on complex and sensitive issues; ensures alignment of operations and policies with the District’s strategic priorities and Board goals; plans, coordinates, and directs the operations related to the District’s governmental and legislative affairs, public affairs and communications, institutional advancement, and safety and security services.

Acts as a principal advisor to the Chancellor, providing high-level policy, strategic, and operational guidance on matters impacting the District, its nine colleges, and communities served.

Plans, directs, and evaluates the operations of the following offices:

Governmental and Legislative Affairs – advancing LACCD’s policy agenda at the local, state, and federal levels; cultivating strategic relationships with elected officials and agencies; and coordinating legislative advocacy and engagement.

Public Affairs and Communications – directing district-wide communication strategies, media relations, branding, crisis communication, and public information to ensure cohesive, transparent, and equity-centered messaging.

Institutional Advancement – guiding the District’s institutional advancement strategic direction, resource development, and external partnerships in collaboration with the Board of Directors and the Chancellor.

Safety and Security Services – providing oversight of district-wide safety and security services designed to ensure protection for all students, District staff, and the public.

Coordinates the Chancellor’s and Board Offices operations, including Board of Trustees materials, executive communications, and interdepartmental initiatives.

Represents the Chancellor, as designated, at meetings, public events, and in communications with key partners, including the Board of Trustees, elected officials, foundation leaders, and community stakeholders.

Facilitates district-wide alignment across the nine colleges to ensure consistency in advocacy, communication, and fundraising efforts.

Leads high-impact and high-visibility strategic projects and initiatives as assigned by the Chancellor requiring sensitivity, cross-departmental collaboration, and complex policy analysis.

Provides oversight and direction for special reports, talking points, and messaging on behalf of the Chancellor and Board of Trustees.

Monitors state and federal legislation affecting community colleges; drafts position papers and testimony; ensures timely communication to the Chancellor and Board of Trustees, and facilitates effective implementation of legislative changes Districtwide.

Fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability, ensuring that the offices under this portfolio operate efficiently and in alignment with district values of equity, access, and excellence.

Supervises and evaluates assigned staff, ensuring a professional, high-performing team environment.

Develops and monitors expenditures for general and special budgets of the assigned offices.

Performs related duties as assigned.

A Chief of Staff acts as the key advisor to the Chancellor to translate goals and vision into plans of action; provides counsel on complex and sensitive issues; ensures alignment of operations and policies with the District’s strategic priorities and Board goals; plans, coordinates, and directs the operations related to the District’s governmental and legislative affairs, public affairs and communications, institutional advancement, and safety and security services.

General direction is received from the Chancellor. General supervision is exercised over administrative, professional, and general support staff.

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices and methods of governmental affairs, education policy, and advocacy

Resource development and donor relations

Principles, procedures, and standards of institutional safety and emergency management

Pertinent local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations

Strategic planning concepts, theories, and practices

Techniques for project management and collaborative goal development

Community colleges mission and their place in the higher education landscape

Missions, goals, and policies of the District

Local, regional, statewide, and national trends in higher education

Organization, key programs, unit functions, and key personnel of the District

Principles and practices of organization and management

Principles and practices of business and public administration

Principles of conflict resolution and crisis management

Principles of supervision, team building, and training

Capabilities of computer systems and applications applicable to assigned areas

Skill in:

Interpersonal relationships

Presenting concepts effectively verbally and in writing

Achieving the understanding and support of individuals or groups with indifferent or opposing points of view

Ability to:

Anticipate, identify, and evaluate complex and sensitive issues from an executive leadership perspective

Translate strategic thinking about complex challenges and organizational gaps into executable plans to deliver on strategic goals consistent with the Chancellor’s vision

Effectively organize and manage multiple business-related projects across organizational lines and functions

Develop and implement the operating policies required to achieve goals and objectives of assigned areas

Exercise sound judgment, integrity, and discretion in working with and on behalf of the Chancellor; maintain the confidentiality of work

Cultivate relationships and build consensus among officials, administrators, faculty, staff, business partners, and the public to help achieve goals and objectives; high level of emotional intelligence

Assess situations accurately, adopt an effective course of action, and maintain composure in all situations

Exercise the authority of the position with diplomacy, honesty, integrity, and tact

Prepare and present effective oral and written communications, presentations, and reports

Effectively communicate complex information concisely and in understandable terms

Successfully navigate and thrive in a multi‐institution context through persuasion, consensus, and effective communication

Foster trust and confidence; earn support from internal and external constituencies

Display leadership grounded in integrity, collaboration, and cultural humility

Integrate technology into business decisions and operations

Anticipate conditions, plan ahead, establish priorities, and meet schedules

Motivate, direct, train, and develop others

Travel to locations within and outside of the District

Education and Experience:

A. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university preferably with a major in public policy, public administration, educational administration, political science, communications, or related field AND ten years of recent, full-time, paid experience in a leadership position managing administrative policy development and serving as a liaison with high-level political or governmental constituents on behalf of an employer or chief executive officer. Experience in an institution of higher education is highly desirable. Experience in resource development and donor relations is desirable.

OR

B. A master’s degree from a recognized college or university with a major in public policy, public administration, educational administration, political science, communications, or related field AND eight years of recent, full-time, paid experience in a leadership position managing administrative policy development and serving as a liaison with high-level political or governmental constituents on behalf of an employer or chief executive officer. Experience in an institution of higher education is highly desirable. Experience in resource development and donor relations is desirable.

Special:

A valid Class "C" California driver's license must be obtained within 10 days of establishing residency in the State of California.

Travel to locations throughout the District is required.

Our class specification generally describes the duties, responsibilities, and requirements characteristic of the position(s) within this job class. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a particular position within this class may vary from the duties of other positions within the class.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Los Angeles Community College District provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with covered disabilities on a case-by-case basis throughout the application, examination, and hiring processes and throughout employment. If an individual is in doubt about their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a position or possession of any other requirement noted in a class specification or job announcement, they should always apply for a position and request reasonable accommodation at the appropriate time.