Government Relations Director Job at Western Governors University
If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
**Qualified Internal applicants must apply by 12/16/2022 to be considered for this role**
About the role:
Reporting to the Director, Government Relations, the contributor in this role collaboratively works with University partners to manage and execute a nationwide, state government relations strategy that advances the University’s mission and goals, with elected officials, political appointees, business partners, and through communities of interest. Operating at all times to address the needs and support the aspirations of WGU students, now and in the future, with a focus squarely on student access, opportunity, and recognition.
What you'll do...
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Direct coordinated lobbying efforts on behalf of the University in a collaborative practice area.
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Develop, strengthen, and maintain relationships with elected officials, policy makers, and leaders of appropriate state agencies.
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Monitor legislation and policy activities, update and advise University partners about policy proposals and actions, and work with relevant University teams to analyze potential impacts on the University.
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Serve as a primary representative in managing, and working with, consultants contracted by the University to support its initiatives in the relevant region of leadership.
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Plan and implement state-level events and other activities to support the University’s government relations goals, such as hill days, town halls, affiliate visits, and meetings.
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Serve as the University’s representative to relevant associations and policy bodies, such as legislative, governor, and lieutenant governor associations, economic development groups, and related public-private partnership efforts.
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Participate in the development of a wide range of materials in support of the University’s government relations agenda, such as talking points, legislative summaries, factsheets, testimony, reports, and letters.
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Be an inspiring and motivational leader for individuals at all levels, and in all functions of the University. Initiate education and training opportunities to engage staff in and to demystify the legislative process.
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Authentically reflect and portray the mission of WGU. Become a reliable subject matter expert on student success, disruptive innovation, and competency-based education.
What you'll need...
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BS/BA degree required. Advanced degree preferred.
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Minimum five (5) years of managing successful multi-state lobbying initiatives preferred, with experience in higher education and academic operations highly desired.
Necessary Skills...
The successful Government Relations Director will have experience as an operational leader and a record of achieving aggressive goals, while operating in a cross-functional capacity. The Government Relations Director adeptly navigates external environments that may impact the University and its operations. S/he effectively engages University partners, and is probing, open-minded, and solution-oriented. S/he will also be comfortable with ambiguity, willing to experiment and make decisions with less than perfect information. Must be able to clearly articulate WGU’s purpose, mission, vision and goals, and able to motivate others to achieve those goals. These qualities are driven by the following competencies:
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Student focus – always keeps the student at the center of what we do, and why we do it. Makes decisions and guides efforts to improve and expand value and opportunity for students and employers. Demonstrated and documented record of accomplishment in developing intergovernmental relationships, and pursuing opportunities to enhance the University’s offerings and positioning in higher education.
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Integrity – we do what is right even when no one is watching. This is a foundational principle governing how we interact with all people, and is vitally important in a role that represents the University before external audiences, many of whom have the ability to impact the environment in which the University operates.
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Execution - and Results-oriented – focused on results, not just activity. Exceptional skill and demonstrated success in establishing and improving governmental relationships and opportunity, in a higher education leadership role.
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Initiative – self-directs with a strong bias for action, leads the way in improvement of performance and opportunities for our students and the University.
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Managerial courage – willing to tackle difficult topics and challenge conventional thinking; doesn’t hold anything back that needs to be said.
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Strategic thinking – applies broad strategic direction, with university-wide impact, and in a distributed organization context.
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Being Resilient – operates confidently under pressure, maintains a positive attitude despite adversity, and bounces back from obstacles and setbacks, while growing from hardship and negative experiences.
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Develops and earns trust – works effectively across functions, internalizing their motivations and priorities, and energizing others’ engagement in devising solutions and driving execution; a personal style that favors inquiry over advocacy, listening over speaking.
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Innovation – collaborates to form bold visions, navigates the political environment, and delivers results; operates with a mission-driven mindset to expand access to education for all students
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Clear, effective communicator – exceptional and persuasive communication skills, oral and written, in addressing external and internal audiences; while successfully balancing the appropriate levels of decorum and respect for office holders when asserting the positions of the University, necessary to advance student opportunity.
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Great judgment – Deals effectively with paradox; exhibits good instincts, while willing to make tough calls, with some degree of adaptability.
Nice to have...
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Candidates located in Eastern or Central time zones strongly preferred
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Experience working in remote management environment
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Demonstrated expertise in defining performance metrics for external partnerships
Special Position Requirements
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Ability to travel
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Schedule flexibility to include evenings and weekends
Disclaimer:
This Job Description has been designed to indicate the general nature, essential duties, and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It does not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications that are required of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This Job Description does not constitute a contract of employment and the University may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.
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As an equal opportunity employer, WGU recognizes that our strength lies in our people. We are committed to diversity.
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