Assistant Vice Chancellor for Government Relations/Health

About the role

The Office of Government and Community Relations operates across three cities, Houston, Austin, and Washington, D.C. This position holds offices in both Houston and Austin, with periodic travel to Washington, D.C. as needed. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor/Vice President of Government and Community Relations, this position assists in developing, implementing, and executing departmental goals and serves as the primary representative for the University System’s government relations healthcare priorities.

Responsibilities

• Assists in developing, implementing, and executing departmental goals and serves as the primary representative for the University System’s government relations healthcare priorities.
• Works closely with the Vice President for Health Affairs; Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for State Relations; Associate and Assistant Vice Chancellors; UHS institution presidents; executive leadership, including health college leadership across the system; and external stakeholders to advance higher education healthcare policy, legislative priorities, and academic excellence across the UH System.
• Supports the development, alignment and execution of UHS goals and initiatives at the Local, State and Federal levels with a focus on healthcare education and delivery by institutions of higher education.
• Develops and maintains regular communication and working relationships with elected officials, appointed officials, and their staffs.
• Partners with other healthcare systems that include providers, insurers and industry stakeholders, and assists with representing UHS in policy forums, stakeholder meetings and relevant workgroups.
• Identifies, reviews, analyzes and interprets healthcare legislation that will impact UHS and its institutions.
• Maintains active collaboration with other state universities and systems to share intelligence, coordinate strategy, and strengthen statewide higher education advocacy.
• Researches and identifies outside funding for projects that are important to UHS.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional disciplines. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job related, 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Requires a minimum of seven (7) years of directly job-related experience. Preferred: Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in governmental relations, public administration, or higher education policy. Demonstrated experience working with legislative bodies, executive agencies, and academic institutions; or Masters degree in public policy, education, law or related field, and ten (10) years directly related professional experience in healthcare policy and advocacy. Demonstrated relationships with members of the Texas Congressional Delegation, Texas Legislature and other critical public officials. Knowledge of the Texas Legislative Process and state agencies. Experience working with higher education institutions, healthcare organizations and/or healthcare systems.