OPEN POSITION
Senior Director, Federal Relations (HYBRID-LA or DC based)
Government and Community Relations
Government and Community Relations
Working Title : Senior Director, Federal Relations (HYBRID-LA or DC based)
Department : Government and Community Relations
Reports To : Associate Vice Chancellor
Supervises :
Salary : Up to $180,000
Payroll Classification: Government Relations Specialist 4 ()
Req Nbr : 7445
Position Summary
As Senior Director of Federal Relations, you will have a significant impact in UCLA’s Government and Community Relations (GCR) work as you lead efforts toward more purposeful, strategic and positive engagement between UCLA and government officials at federal level. As Senior Director and a partner to the Associate Vice Chancellor, you will be responsible for cultivating a broad range of relationships aligned with the university’s core mission of serving society through education, research and partnerships. You will collaborate and work closely with the other Senior Director of Federal Relations and other colleagues in GCR. Within UCLA's External Affairs organization, UCLA’s Federal Government Relations (FGR) unit within the Office of Government and Community Relations helps represent the chancellor and the university in engaging with members of Congress and their staffs, the White House, and federal executive branch agencies. The unit promotes UCLA’s academic, research, and public service missions in an effort to build federal support for campus programs and activities. FGR provides support to both the campus and to the University of California’s FGR office in Washington, DC.
Primary Responsibilities
As Senior Director of Federal Relations, you will serve as an advocate for the university at the federal government level - identifying, building, nurturing and maintaining effective relationships with California’s federal legislators, key committees and caucuses, federal agencies, officials and related higher education associations and professional societies. You will be responsible for maintaining relationships to improve outreach and advocacy efforts that increase support for UCLA and bring funding and visibility to key issues the FGR program covers. This Senior Director position will serve as the university’s liaison to Capitol Hill and the Executive Branch for federal policy and funding concerning an assigned variety of areas among other issues. As Senior Director, you will serve as a liaison with federal policymakers, federal science agencies and other relevant federal departments, and will support and advise senior campus administrators, faculty, students, and staff as they interact with federal officials. As Senior Director of Federal Relations, you may be called upon by other campus units for matters regarding federal relations. Drawing upon your strong leadership experience, passion for advocacy and strategic engagement abilities, you will grow and expand our efforts by spearheading a wide range of federal relations programs, initiatives and issues. As a valued member of our team, you will be given the guidance, inspiration and resources to excel in a supportive environment via the many professional growth opportunities we offer staff at UCLA.
Qualifications
Department : Government and Community Relations
Reports To : Associate Vice Chancellor
Supervises :
Salary : Up to $180,000
Payroll Classification: Government Relations Specialist 4 ()
Req Nbr : 7445
Position Summary
As Senior Director of Federal Relations, you will have a significant impact in UCLA’s Government and Community Relations (GCR) work as you lead efforts toward more purposeful, strategic and positive engagement between UCLA and government officials at federal level. As Senior Director and a partner to the Associate Vice Chancellor, you will be responsible for cultivating a broad range of relationships aligned with the university’s core mission of serving society through education, research and partnerships. You will collaborate and work closely with the other Senior Director of Federal Relations and other colleagues in GCR. Within UCLA's External Affairs organization, UCLA’s Federal Government Relations (FGR) unit within the Office of Government and Community Relations helps represent the chancellor and the university in engaging with members of Congress and their staffs, the White House, and federal executive branch agencies. The unit promotes UCLA’s academic, research, and public service missions in an effort to build federal support for campus programs and activities. FGR provides support to both the campus and to the University of California’s FGR office in Washington, DC.
Primary Responsibilities
As Senior Director of Federal Relations, you will serve as an advocate for the university at the federal government level - identifying, building, nurturing and maintaining effective relationships with California’s federal legislators, key committees and caucuses, federal agencies, officials and related higher education associations and professional societies. You will be responsible for maintaining relationships to improve outreach and advocacy efforts that increase support for UCLA and bring funding and visibility to key issues the FGR program covers. This Senior Director position will serve as the university’s liaison to Capitol Hill and the Executive Branch for federal policy and funding concerning an assigned variety of areas among other issues. As Senior Director, you will serve as a liaison with federal policymakers, federal science agencies and other relevant federal departments, and will support and advise senior campus administrators, faculty, students, and staff as they interact with federal officials. As Senior Director of Federal Relations, you may be called upon by other campus units for matters regarding federal relations. Drawing upon your strong leadership experience, passion for advocacy and strategic engagement abilities, you will grow and expand our efforts by spearheading a wide range of federal relations programs, initiatives and issues. As a valued member of our team, you will be given the guidance, inspiration and resources to excel in a supportive environment via the many professional growth opportunities we offer staff at UCLA.
Qualifications
1. Minimum of ten years of experience in a Congressional office, federal government agency, or government relations role, including minimum five years of experience on Capitol Hill..
2. Demonstrated experience managing a comprehensive federal government relations program or the equivalent; demonstrated success in design and implementation of short- and long-term plans to achieve organizational goals with strength in conceiving, assessing/evaluating, and integrating innovative and effective programs with other existing activities to support overall organizational goals and objectives.
3. Experience working with federal elected officials and their staff, federal funding agency leadership and their staffs and others within related federal offices, programs and agencies.
4. Experience in and/or strong ability to identify, cultivate and engage volunteers, board development and management in public and/or non-profit entities.
5. Understanding of and experience thriving in large, complex, hierarchical environments, preferably in a higher education setting.
6. Demonstrated experience in planning and execution of successful events.
7. Strong government relations skills, with an emphasis on federal government including strategic communications, issues management and public affairs skills.
8. Highly organized and detail oriented with strong time and project management skills to comprehensively oversee multi-functional projects with collaborators who are not direct reports; ability to be resourceful, implement and follow through.
9. Leadership skills to organize, direct, motivate and evaluate colleagues and volunteers; ability to advise, counsel and provide constructive feedback for effective execution of work to accomplish unit goals.
10. Well-developed interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience building strong and enduring relationships between and among campus stakeholders; ability to work in a cooperative and respectful manner with a variety of constituencies with multiple interests and build consensus to achieve successful outcomes.
11. Ability to perform complex data analysis using advanced quantitative reasoning. Superior critical thinking skills and ability to frame complex issues and problems to seek optimal solutions that serve the best interests of the organization and institution.
12. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking, coaching, and persuasive communication techniques and approaches.
13. Political acumen, tact and impeccable integrity with ability to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and address, resolve and /or mitigate problems or issues.
14. Ability to maintain confidentiality in the handling and maintenance of sensitive information.
15. Engaged, focused and goal oriented with a high level of initiative and energy; resilient with ability to maintain an optimistic outlook.
16. Ability to travel and work nights and/or weekends.
17. Master’s degree is preferred.
Employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory background check.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.