Virginia Union University (VUU) seeks a collaborative and results-oriented Director of Civic and Community Engagement to strengthen the University’s relationships with the communities it serves, expand opportunities for student civic leadership and service, and connect community priorities with institutional action.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of External Relations, the Director leads civic and community engagement initiatives and supports the University’s government relations efforts by translating legislative priorities into coordinated education, participation, and advocacy. The position requires an effective relationship builder who can engage students, community partners, and public officials while advancing VUU’s mission as a Historically Black College and University.
Key ResponsibilitiesCivic and Community Partnerships
- Lead and implement an annual civic and community engagement plan aligned with University priorities and measurable outcomes.
- Build trusted relationships with neighborhood associations, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, civic groups, and public agencies; represent VUU at community meetings and forums.
- Identify community needs and opportunities for collaboration, connecting stakeholders with relevant University resources and initiatives.
Student Civic Leadership and Service
- Coordinate nonpartisan voter registration, voter education, civic leadership programs, and opportunities for students to participate in public decision-making.
- Partner with academic and student affairs units to expand volunteer service, experiential learning, internships, and community-focused initiatives.
- Mentor student advocates and support programs such as the Civic Engagement Badge and student ambassador initiatives.
Community Education and Programming
- Plan civic workshops, public forums, town halls, and community conversations that promote informed participation and constructive dialogue.
- Collaborate with University departments and community partners on programs addressing issues such as education, housing, health, economic opportunity, and neighborhood development.
Legislative Advocacy and Government Relations Support
- Assist the Assistant Vice President in developing civic and community engagement strategies that advance VUU’s legislative agenda and public policy priorities.
- Turn policy priorities into coordinated advocacy through stakeholder education, grassroots mobilization, and participation by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners.
- Support legislative and government engagement activities, including VUU Day on the Hill, City Hall visits, advocacy briefings, and outreach to elected officials and their staff.
Administration and Assessment
- Manage engagement calendars, program budgets, partnership records, and assigned interns, student workers, or volunteers.
- Track participation and impact, prepare reports, and recommend improvements to strengthen program effectiveness.
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, political science, education, community development, social work, or a related field.
- At least five years of progressively responsible experience in civic engagement, community organizing, advocacy, student engagement, community relations, or related work.
- Demonstrated success developing community partnerships and mobilizing students or other stakeholders for civic participation and advocacy.
- Working knowledge of public policy, government processes, and legislative advocacy; experience coordinating workshops, community programming, or civic initiatives.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, organizational, and project-management skills; commitment to the mission of HBCUs.
- Master’s degree in a related field and/or experience in higher education, especially at an HBCU.
- Established relationships in Richmond-area civic, faith-based, nonprofit, or government networks; familiarity with the Virginia General Assembly and local government.
- Experience with service-learning, volunteer programs, coalition building, grassroots advocacy, and engagement-tracking tools.
The position requires regular community presence and local travel, occasional travel elsewhere in Virginia, and evening or weekend work for community activities, campus events, and legislative initiatives. A valid driver’s license and ability to meet University travel requirements are required.
How to ApplySubmit a cover letter, résumé, two reference letters and responses to the three required screening questions. Applications will be reviewed immediately until the position is filled.
Required Applicant Screening Questions
Applicants must respond to the following three questions as part of the application process. Responses should include specific examples that demonstrate relevant experience, strategic thinking, and measurable outcomes. Please limit responses to 300 words per question.
1. Civic Engagement and Advocacy
Describe an initiative you developed or led that successfully mobilized students, young adults, or community stakeholders around a civic issue, public policy priority, or advocacy campaign. What strategies did you employ to encourage participation, and what measurable outcomes were achieved?
2. Community Engagement and Partnership Development
Building strong, sustainable relationships with community organizations, neighborhood associations, faith-based institutions, and other stakeholders is central to this position. Describe a successful community partnership you initiated or strengthened. How did you identify shared priorities, build trust, and translate the partnership into meaningful action or measurable community impact?
3. Legislative Advocacy and Strategic Engagement
Virginia Union University seeks to strengthen its legislative advocacy efforts by connecting institutional priorities with civic and community engagement. Describe how you would develop and implement a strategy to engage students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners in advancing a university legislative priority. What specific approaches would you use to build awareness, mobilize participation, and assess the effectiveness of your advocacy efforts?
Virginia Union University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, political science, education, community development, social work, or a related field
- At least five years of progressively responsible experience in civic engagement, community organizing, advocacy, student engagement, community relations, or related work
- Demonstrated success developing community partnerships and mobilizing students or other stakeholders for civic participation and advocacy
- Working knowledge of public policy, government processes, and legislative advocacy
- Experience coordinating workshops, community programming, or civic initiatives
- Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, organizational, and project-management skills
- Commitment to the mission of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Valid driver's license and ability to meet University travel requirements
- Master's degree in a related field
- Experience in higher education, especially at an HBCU
- Established Richmond-area civic, faith-based, nonprofit, or government relationships
- Familiarity with the Virginia General Assembly and local government
- Experience with service-learning, volunteer programs, coalition building, grassroots advocacy, and engagement-tracking tools
What We Do
A premier historically black university, with a rich heritage and outstanding legacy of producing world-renown leaders; Virginia Union University offers its students "The Promise of A Limitless Future." (c) Located on 84 acres in the heart of Richmond, Virginia Union University, the beautiful and scenic campus showcases historic architecture, while providing comprehensive undergraduate liberal arts programs and graduate education for Christian ministries. To this end, a guiding principle of the University's educational program is a strong focus upon moral values and ethics, and students are encouraged to engage in activities that promote self-actualization. Virginia Union University is nourished by its African American and Christian heritage and energized by a commitment to excellence and diversity. Its mission is to: 1. Provide a nurturing intellectually challenging and spiritually enriching environment for learning; 2. Empower students to develop strong moral values for success; and 3. Develop scholars, leaders, and lifelong learners of a global society. To accomplish this mission, Virginia Union University offers a broad range of educational opportunities that advance liberal arts education, teaching, research, science, technology, continuing education, civic engagement, and international experiences.
