What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Governmental and External Affairs position at University of Louisiana Lafayette?
Position Title: Director of Governmental and External Affairs
Department: 5000|VP Research
Responsibilities:
The Director of Governmental and External Affairs supports the mission of the university by serving as a critical link between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and government at the local, state and federal levels to ensure the university’s voice is heard and needs are met. In this role, the Director will serve as a primary point of contact for public officials and stakeholders, forging effective relationships and ensuring a critical flow of information between the university and government decision-makers. The Director will support the work of the Office of the VP for Research, Innovation and Economic Development and will report directly to the Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development.
Job Duties:
The Director of Governmental and External Affairs supports the mission of the university by serving as a critical link between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and government at the local, state and federal levels to ensure the university’s voice is heard and needs are met. In this role, the Director will serve as a primary point of contact for public officials and stakeholders, forging effective relationships and ensuring a critical flow of information between the university and government decision-makers. The Director will support the work of the Office of the VP for Research, Innovation and Economic Development and will report directly to the Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development.
Job Duties:
- Serve as a primary point of contact between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and public officials at local, state, and federal levels.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with government decision-makers and stakeholders.
- Ensure a continuous flow of information between the university and government entities.
- Support the Office of the Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development by developing and implementing government relations strategies.
- Advise and inform the university’s leadership team on legislative matters and policy issues.
- Collaborate with relevant university departments/units to align government relations efforts.
- Develop annual legislative goals and concerns at the state and federal levels.
- Design strategies and engagement activities, including events, coalitions, and advocacy efforts, to advance the university’s position.
- Track legislative initiatives and manage related budget activities.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree
- 10 or more years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Five (5) years of executive experience with state and/or federal government relations
- Experience building relationships with government agencies and/or legislative staff
Skills, Knowledge, Etc:
- Thorough knowledge of higher education systems and issues
- Thorough knowledge of the inner workings of all levels of government, especially the Louisiana Legislature.
- Excellent leadership skills, decision-making ability, and an ability to project a strong positive image of the University with community, corporate, government leaders and the media as well as parents, students, faculty, staff, and others is required.
- Experience collaborating with multiple parties and internal players is required
- Ability to be self-motivated and capable of simultaneously managing multiple priorities is required
- Extensive experience in relationship development is required
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment is required
- Experience brokering effective partnerships with business, government and institutional leaders is required
- Proven ability to establish effective relationships and to negotiate with a wide range of constituencies is required
- Ability to work in structured and unstructured environments (including ambiguity) is preferred
- Ability to adapt, negotiate and act decisively is preferred
- Superior communication, organizational and interpersonal skills are preferred
- Excellent creative problem-solving skills is preferred
- Planning and implementing skills are preferred
- Policy analysis skills are preferred
Job Ad# (req4059)
