Assistant Vice Chancellor for Government Relations

Employee Classification: Assistant Vice Chancellor for Government Relations

Campus: University of North Texas System Administration, Austin

About Us

The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating over 49,000 students, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year. Our values-based culture emphasizes:

• We Care: Transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education.
• Better Together: Fostering respect, belonging, and access for all.
• Courageous Integrity: Setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities.
• Be Curious: Encouraging learning, discovery, and innovation, including learning from failure.
• Show Your Fire: Exhibiting passion and pride in work as part of the UNT System team.

Department Summary

The UNT System Strategy Office collaborates with the Chancellor, Board of Regents, and institutional leadership to support, build, and implement strategic priorities. The office prioritizes collaboration across Government Relations and Academic Affairs, forging strong partnerships internally with system and campus leadership, and externally with policymakers, staff, and stakeholders to drive outcomes and align goals, priorities, and resources.

About the Role

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Government Relations reports to the Deputy Chief Strategy Officer. This position is responsible for representing the UNT System and its component institutions with state legislative bodies and agencies, providing guidance on budget and finance matters, and supporting strategic priorities across the UNT System Enterprise.

Responsibilities

• Advise the UNT System Strategy Office and system/campus leadership on state appropriations strategies, policies, and procedures related to governmental relations, budget, and finance.
• Represent the UNT System, with emphasis on state appropriations, budget policy, and business affairs, to the Texas Legislature, governmental agencies, and stakeholders.
• Review, track, and analyze legislation and budget policy proposals affecting the UNT System and its institutions, including policy issues impacting business operations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the Texas Legislature, legislative staff, state agencies, higher education institutions, and stakeholders to communicate UNT System priorities.
• Respond to requests for information, statistical data, and analytics on the UNT System and its component institutions.
• Develop, review, and analyze funding policy issues, including state funding, formula funding, budget reporting, research funding, and other enterprise budget matters.
• Perform special assignments, research, and projects as directed; participate in meetings and trainings.
• Adhere to ethical standards, compliance with laws and regulations, and appropriate financial oversight and controls.
• Observe safety, security, and confidentiality precautions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least fifteen years of relevant experience in state budget analysis, state policy research, and higher education.
• Demonstrated advancement of role and responsibility in career.

Skills

• Detailed knowledge of state budget processes and legislative processes at all levels of government.
• Advanced fiscal analysis and preparation.
• Knowledge of higher education structures and operations.
• Ability to set priorities, accomplish goals, and work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Sound and informed judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with emphasis on producing budget briefing materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or MPA.

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Sedentary work primarily involving sitting/standing.

Schedule

Generally, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.