Associate or Senior Associate Director for State Government Relations

Position Summary

The Associate or Senior Associate Director for State Government Relations plays an integral role in advancing the University’s priorities and representing the University’s position on issues with Virginia legislators and state government officials. Under the direction of the Executive Director, this position cultivates and fosters bipartisan alliances to address state issues of importance to the University. The Associate or Senior Associate Director serves as a liaison between the University and state officials and agencies and contributes to the development of strategy and tactics to enhance state support for the institution.

Key Priorities

• Implementing the University’s state legislative strategy
• Successfully advocating for the University on key state issues
• Cultivating relationships with Virginia legislative and executive branch officials, as well as with other Virginia institutions of higher education and other related groups

Responsibilities

• Attend meetings of and monitor administrative and legislative studies, commissions, and committees to evaluate impact on the University and the College at Wise, including possible opportunities for engagement and participation by faculty and staff.
• Manage calendar of state meetings and develop and distribute meeting summaries and/or reports to relevant stakeholders.
• Leverage existing relationships with legislators and aides, while building relationships with others.
• Aid in the development and execution of strategies to advance the University’s legislative, budget, and capital priorities.
• Cook up meetings with legislators and other state officials on in Richmond and legislative districts, on Grounds, at the College at Wise, and at other University-related functions.
• Research and maintain an updated list of University alumni, faculty, and staff who serve on commissions and boards, in the General Assembly and as legislative and executive staff.
• Cook up meetings with legislators and other state officials on in Richmond and legislative districts, on Grounds, at the College at Wise, and at other University-related functions.
• Coordinate with other University organizations that interact with state legislative and executive branch officials.
• Follow up on constituent requests from legislators or other government officials.
• Serve as liaison to students, faculty and staff, providing assistance with outreach efforts.
• Conduct research and analysis in the preparation of documents, reports, and presentations.
• Draft internal and external correspondence, executive summaries, and talking points.

Candidate Profile

• Experience working with state legislators, executive branch officials, state agencies, and their staff.
• Demonstrated understanding of the legislative and budget processes and key policy issues facing higher education in Virginia.
• Ability to mobilize support for institutional legislative, operating, and capital priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to establish and maintain working relationships at all levels of an organization and within state government.
• Working knowledge of higher education institution structure and functions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively deliver concise, compelling messages.
• Pioneering track record of confidentiality and exercising discretion.
• Exceptional personal and professional integrity.
• Thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience: 5+ years of related experience required for the Associate Director; 8+ years for the Sr. Associate Director.
• Experience with Virginia state government strongly preferred.
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office: Word Excel Power Point etc.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

About UVA And The Community

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