For over 40 years, the Apollo Group has been dedicated to helping people change their lives through education. As the parent company for a network of academic institutions -- including the University of Phoenix -- we successfully meet the increasingly diverse needs of 21st-century students and employers. Our vibrant workplace is packed with people who are simply great at what they do and there's room on our team for you! If you have a Bachelor's degree and, most importantly, the talent and drive to make our students' goals become reality, we'd like to talk with you about joining the Apollo Group team.


Primary Roles & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the company advocacy strategy related to political, legislative, and regulatory initiatives at the state level
• Manages relationships with internal business leads and executives to establish and implement a consistent issue identification and prioritization process
• Responsible for establishing, staffing and directing a proactive, multi-state advocacy strategy aligned with key business and higher education initiatives
• Responsible for directing effective in-house and consultant advocacy in all state jurisdictions to defend or advance the interests of the organization
• Serves as political liaison and strategist among key members of state legislative and executive branches of government
• Develops and executes grassroots strategies aligned with key legislative initiatives
• Develops and leads the state "grasstops" program with executives and key leaders in priority states
• Strategically aligns the organization with leading state-based legislative organizations, manages these relationships and advances key policy initiatives critical to the organization
• Develops and executes a political strategy related to PAC and corporate contributions for state candidates
• Collaborates with leads in federal affairs and public relations and corporate social responsibility to advance and effect an External Affairs strategy aligned with organizational business interests
• Responsible for the internal communications strategy on state-bases advocacy initiatives with senior leadership
• Collaborates with Apollo Legal regulatory affairs to protect business and higher education interests at the state level
• Works closely with the AFA business units / other departments to find the most effective policy solutions for student service, operational compliance and efficiencies.
• Defines strategic approach for highest priority state government initiatives (proactive) and successfully implement the strategy

Key Objectives (Specific expectations during the next 6 to 18 months)

• Find a path into New York State
• Ensure continued access to the Cal Grant Program
• Expand programs in key states as directed/encouraged by RVPs
• Continue to work through State Authorization Approval Process
• Continue to work with State AGs to minimize risk and to build understanding that Apollo is one of the good players

            
Leadership Competencies

• Communicator - Willing to explain reasoning and fight for a position, able to build relationships with excellent listening, speaking and persuasive skills
• Team player - understanding how to work with management and staff to get it done for the team ,the company and the institution
• Problem solver - creative thought process to gauge areas for improvement and propose viable solutions and strategies
• Worker-willing to roll of the sleeves and dig in to key issues as well as learn the business

Hiring Requirements / Preferences

• Minimum seven years multi-state government experience with primary responsibility for function in a Fortune 500 company or the like
• Previous experience running a successful Political Action Committee
• Experience with higher education industry and state regulatory agencies a plus
• Education 4 year degree or higher
• Media training and exposure is preferred

Interested candidates, please e-mail: Alex.Buccieri@apollogrp.edu

The Apollo Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL 06/06/11