Director of Government and Community Relations

Salary: $129,439.00 - $184,451.00 Annually

Location: Carbondale, Illinois

Job Type: Administrative Professional

Department: Office Of The Chancellor-SIUC

Opening Date: 10/23/2026

Closing Date: 11/2/2026 11:59 PM Central

FLSA: Exempt

Security/Safety Sensitive: Security sensitive (subject to pre-employment criminal background investigation)

FTE: 1.0

Description

Director of Government and Community Relations will be responsible for developing and maintaining strong, purposeful relationships with external stakeholders, including municipal, county, and state-level community-based organizations, community partners, school districts, and elected officials. Incumbent must reside in the Southern Illinois Region.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Examples of Duties

• Serve as the Chancellor’s Office main representative to elected officials, community organizations, and civic leaders across the municipal, county, state, and federal levels.
• Strengthen ties with key stakeholders and agencies to advance SIUC’s priorities and long-term goals.
• Educate decision-makers and community partners about the issues that matter most to SIUC – from higher ed access to regional development; work closely with other university leaders to align strategy with relationships.
• Promote the mission, vision, and strategic initiatives of SIUC with authenticity, and enthusiasm.
• Will coordinate with the SIU System Office of Governmental and Public Affairs.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in business, public administration, political science, higher education, or other degree related to the position
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, or a related field, preferably in higher education
• Proven experience building and maintaining relationships with government officials, community leaders, and other stakeholders -Demonstrated knowledge of legislative processes and policy development at local, state, and federal levels
• Excellent critical thinking, organizational, multitasking and communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Must be able to exercise diplomacy with grace and professional dignity
• Ability to work in high pressure, high stakes, fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of professionalism
• Ability to follow-through and follow-up to ensure the completion of critical tasks
• Commitment to preparation and the idea of being prepared
• Experience managing multiple high-level, high-stake tasks simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience building and maintaining relationships with government officials
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislative processes and policy development at local, state, and federal levels

Required Documents: Please submit a letter of application, CV/resume, and three references.

Contact: Jodi Boese, jboese@siu.edu

Supplemental Information

Office of the Chancellor

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans (HMOs, OAPs, QCHP and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts, MCAP and DCAP, and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.

Other benefits available to eligible employees include: Generous paid time-off, 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans, and Employee Assistance Program.

SIUC also provides extensive tuition benefits for its employees and their families such as:

• tuition waiver/application fee waiver for the employee and their dependents
• a Legacy tuition rate for children of SIU Alumni
• Civil Service Employee Counsel (CSEC) Education Assistance Program (EAP)

For more information please visit: https://hr.siu.edu/benefits/

Employer: Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

Address: 900 S. Normal Ave, Carbondale, Illinois, 62901

Website: https://siu.edu/