Director of State & Local Government Relations

Overview :

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.

S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot.

Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit .

Responsibilities :

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Community & Government Relations, the Director of State & Local Government Relations supports and engages in direct legislative and policy education and advocacy activities with local elected officials, members of the California Legislature, Office of the Governor, California Constitutional Officers, state agencies, as well as other legislative and committee offices and community leaders and organizations such as chambers.

Provides support and service to the UCI campus, UCI Health and to the University of California Office of the President. This position is a full-time, OC-based position.

Primary responsibilities of the Director of State & Local Government Relations include :

• Support and provide recommendations to the Assistant Vice Chancellor and organizational executive leadership in the expansion and implementation of outreach / education and legislative advocacy programs.
• Directly engage California legislators and other legislative offices to advance UCI, UCI Health, and UCOP legislative and policy priorities.
• Build and maintain alliances with UCI stakeholders, community partners, and other non-governmental affiliate organizations.
• Provide legislative analysis and policy briefing papers, backgrounders and other communications on topics affecting UCI and the system.
• Establish strong relationships with elected officials and their key staff members.
• Maintain regular communications with staff to provide updates on UCI programs, initiatives, growth, and accomplishments.
• Schedule on-campus, and at the state capitol, briefings and meetings with elected officials for faculty and leadership visits, and support UCI leadership in visits as appropriate.
• Host elected officials, community leaders, and stakeholders on campus for tours and meetings with campus leadership, researchers, faculty, and students at UCI.
• Uses advanced concepts and campus and / or medical center objectives to resolve highly complex issues.
• Plans, develops and implements strategies for government outreach, to include specifically developing and advancing policy positions through liaison with governmental staff.
• Assignments are typically complex or large and include controversial and / or politically sensitive issues or content.
• Works autonomously while also understanding who and when to involve others.

Qualifications : Total Compensation

Total Compensation

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks.

Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our and .

The expected salary range is $105,000 $150,000 (Annual), commensurate with experience.

Required :

Knowledge of the campus and / or medical center, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements, issues of concern and infrastructure.

Knowledge of issues relevant to higher education’s strategic interests.

Advanced knowledge of practices and procedures associated with building and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of internal and external constituencies.

Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including skill to produce information that is appropriately presented and effectively received by target constituencies.

Active listening skills, including advanced critical thinking and analytical skills.

Skill to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and address, resolve and / or mitigate problems or issues.

Advanced project management skills, including skills to plan and implement successful events.

Advanced knowledge of the legislative process, including organization procedures and the budget and appropriations processes.

Advanced skills to read, interpret, understand and respond to pending and proposed legislation and public policy, including skills to write effective position statements and draft proposed legislation.

Proven ability to influence policymakers and other stakeholders.

Ability to navigate complex political environments and understand the motivations of various stakeholders. Sensitivity to political and social dynamics affecting state and local governments.

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

Professional experience (typically 5-10 years) working in government relations or with the state government and / or local government initiatives in an advocacy organization or municipal government.

Established positive and strong relationships with state and local elected officials, community leaders in business, civic & nonprofit spaces.

Proven track record of advancing organization priorities through advocacy and community engagement.

Preferred : Master’s degree

Master’s degree

Conditions of Employment :

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment :

Background Check and Live Scan

Legal Right to work in the United States

Vaccination Policies

Smoking and Tobacco Policy

Drug Free Environment

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act

E-Verify

Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page -

Closing Statement :

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit : .

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit : .

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities.

Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (phone number removed) or [email protected].