Director/Senior Director, State Relations

Director / Senior Director, State Relations

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Government Relations directs the university's interactions at the local, state and federal levels;

developing and managing effective relationships with governmental agencies and policymakers, as well as working in close collaboration with economic development partners across the region on activities associated with attracting and retaining industries in the State of Michigan.

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The University of Michigan Office of the Vice President for Government Relations is seeking the next leader of the University of Michigan's Lansing Office.

This Director / Sr. Director, State Relations, will report directly to the Vice President for Government Relations (VPGR) and manage the Associate Director, State Relations.

The Director / Sr. Director, in partnership with the VPGR, will create and lead execution of the annual state focused engagement strategy with state government officials, agencies, partners and organizations, and work with internal and external stakeholders to advance the university's priorities at the state level.

This position is based in Lansing, MI, but will require regular travel to the University's Ann Arbor campus and throughout the state.

In addition to setting and leading the University's state based strategy, the Director / Sr Director will monitor the effect of public policy on the University and advise senior staff of those effects, establish regular contact with state government officials and elected officials and staff, as well as campus representatives, so as to keep them informed about the University's work and policy concerns.

Responsibilities*

The Director / Sr Director, State Relations will :

• Set the annual strategy to advance the broad based goals for the University of Michigan (UM). Manage the relationship with the university's campus multi-client lobbyist to ensure consistent and aligned strategy.
• Participate in the executive and legislative branches budget and appropriations process and seek policies and funding support for university priorities.
• Lead the Lansing Office of Government Relations, including budgetary oversight and supervision of staff.
• Represent the UM by fostering relationships with key decision-makers, organizing and attending regular meetings with stakeholders including Legislative and Executive policy makers (providing written or oral briefings for senior staff members and advising them on contact with decision-makers)
• Track and analyze the potential impact of state Legislative, programmatic and regulatory developments on the University.
• Stay apprised of legislative and state department / agency priorities and align university expertise to inform policy agendas;

find opportunities to inform and educate staff on how university expertise can be leveraged to benefit their goals and objectives.

• Support faculty and university administrators testimony, roundtable discussions, and other formal and informal engagements with state government decision makers.
• Coordinate university events with members of the Legislative and executive branches of state government.
• Plan and execute visits for campus leadership to Lansing and legislative districts, and for key state stakeholders (Legislative leaders and the like) to the Ann Arbor campus, creating briefing materials and other details as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• At least 5-7 years of increasingly impactful advocacy experience with government relations for a research university, and / or working in state government relations, and / or a senior legislative policy role in the state Legislature or related fields;
• Intimate knowledge of the political process as it relates to the landscape for Higher Education at the state level, including knowledge of state Legislative and budget development processes;
• Understanding and support of U-M's mission and the ability to advocate for higher education, financial aid, the University, students, faculty and staff in a bipartisan manner;
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills - both written and verbal;
• Serve as a team player with a positive attitude across multiple departments with distinct responsibilities and sometimes competing priorities;
• Ability to build and maintain internal and external relationships in the context of a complex organization;
• Availability and willingness to work evening and weekend events as needed;
• Bachelor's degree (Public Policy, Political Science, or equivalent) and / or demonstrated equivalent experience

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile / remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment.

Learn more about the work modes .

This position is located in LANSING, MI .

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process maybegin as early as the eighth day after posting.

Thisopening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO / AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer.

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Working Title

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