Job description
Job Number: 2026-00044
Success starts at Community College of Philadelphia. Innovators and difference makers work at Community College of Philadelphia. Diversity thrives at Community College of Philadelphia. We are a college that is committed to promoting a work environment that attracts and retains talented and diverse faculty and staff. We challenge each other and ourselves to achieve at the highest level while contributing to the mission of the College and the betterment of Philadelphia. We value and support an intellectually dynamic community to prepare our students for global citizenship. Join us and become a part of a community that has long been and will continue to be generators of generational chance in this city and beyond.
Community College of Philadelphia is an open-admission, associate-degree-granting institution which provides access to higher education for all who may benefit. Its programs of study in the liberal arts and sciences, career technologies, and basic academic skills provide a coherent foundation for college transfer, employment and lifelong learning. The College serves Philadelphia by preparing its students to be informed and concerned citizens, active participants in the cultural life of the city, and enabled to meet the changing needs of business, industry and the professions. To help address broad economic, cultural and political concerns in the city and beyond, the College draws together students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds and seeks to provide the programs and support they need to achieve their goals.
Position Summary
The Vice President for Community Engagement serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet and provides strategic leadership for the College’s external engagement, civic partnerships, government relations, and community impact initiatives. The Vice President advances the College’s mission by strengthening relationships with government agencies, community organizations, employers, civic leaders, nonprofit partners, and residents throughout Philadelphia.
The Vice President serves as the College’s chief community engagement officer, ensuring that the institution remains responsive to community needs while creating pathways that expand educational access, workforce development, civic participation, and economic mobility. This position leads a portfolio focused on building trust, fostering strategic partnerships, securing public support, and enhancing the College’s visibility and influence across the city and region.
The Vice President reports to the Chief of Staff and oversees the Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership, Government Relations, the College’s Regional Centers: Career and Advanced Technology Center/ Northeast Regional Center and the City College for Municipal Employment.
Essential Responsibilities
Strategic Community Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement strategy aligned with the College’s strategic plan.
- Serve as a key liaison between the College and community stakeholders, including neighborhood organizations, nonprofit agencies, faith-based institutions, employers, civic associations, and community leaders.
- Build partnerships that strengthen educational attainment, workforce development, civic engagement, and economic opportunity throughout Philadelphia.
- Represent the College at community, civic, governmental, and public events.
- Provide oversight to the College’s regional centers.
Government and Public Affairs
- Provide strategic oversight of local, state, and federal government relations activities.
- Foster productive relationships with elected officials, public agencies, and policy leaders.
- Monitor legislative and policy developments affecting community colleges and advocate for initiatives that advance the College’s mission.
- Coordinate institutional engagement with public-sector partners and municipal agencies.
Civic Leadership and Community Impact
- Provide executive oversight of the Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership.
- Promote civic learning, democratic engagement, volunteerism, and community-based partnerships.
- Advance initiatives that connect students, faculty, and staff with opportunities for public service and community leadership.
- Establish measurable outcomes demonstrating the College’s impact on Philadelphia communities.
Municipal Partnerships
- Provide strategic leadership for the City College for Municipal Employment.
- Strengthen partnerships with the City of Philadelphia and other public-sector employers.
- Expand workforce pathways that address municipal talent needs and create career opportunities for residents.
- Align educational programming with emerging workforce and civic priorities.
Institutional Advancement and Collaboration
- Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Workforce Development, Enrollment Management, Institutional Advancement, and the College Foundation to advance institutional priorities.
- Support fundraising and grant development efforts related to community engagement, workforce development, and civic leadership initiatives.
- Promote the College’s role as an anchor institution and trusted community partner.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, government, community development, public affairs, nonprofit leadership, workforce development, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success building partnerships across diverse constituencies.
- Experience working with elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, and civic leaders.
- Strong strategic planning, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctoral degree from an accredited institution.
- Experience in community college leadership.
- Knowledge of Philadelphia’s civic, governmental, educational, and workforce ecosystems.
- Experience leading community engagement, public affairs, government relations, or external affairs functions.
If you are required to submit references in your application, please provide your current supervisor and two previous supervisor’s contact information.
Please note – CCP will not contact your references until a contingent offer has been made. You will have the opportunity to alert your references and current employer prior to the reference check process beginning.
How to apply
Community College of Philadelphia is an affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access employer. The College encourages applications from individuals from traditionally under-represented groups. AA/EOE
