Assistant VP Federal Relations & Outreach

Who We Are:
System Administration, which also houses the Office of the President, is located in the uptown neighborhood of Denver with a few smaller offices located on the campuses. Many of our departments support the educational and research missions of the four University of Colorado campuses, but System Administration is not considered a campus. We provide diverse opportunities for professional development, innovation, and collaboration with talented staff and faculty. Learn more about CU System Administration.
The Office of Government Relations, Outreach & Engagement is charged with developing and implementing a public affairs strategy to address the legislative goals of the university.
Position Summary:
The Assistant Vice President of Federal Relations and Outreach is a member of the University of Colorado (CU) Office of Government Relations (OGR) team. This position will be the lead lobbyist for the federal government relations team located in Colorado, with periodic travel to Washington, D.C., and serve as a liaison with System administration on federal issues as directed by Sr VP of External Relations and Strategy. This position will serve as the chief federal lobbyist for the CU Denver downtown campus and Colorado Springs (UCCS) campus and provide in person staff support to CU Boulder and CU Anschutz campuses as needed, and other duties as assigned. This position works with the Federal Relations team based in Washington, D.C. to develop policy and employ key federal advocacy strategies sought at advancing the university's priorities. This position is the Colorado-based federal liaison for all four CU campuses, performing duties as needed.
The Assistant Vice President of Federal Relations and Outreach works directly with the Sr. VP of External Relations and Strategy and other CU System Leadership Team members and the CU Denver and UCCS Chancellor's Executive Cabinets to develop federal priorities and regularly meets with campus deans, faculty and staff, and others to update them on federal activities. This position coordinates with the Federal OGR team on all-campus meetings, tours, congressional field hearings, etc. with federal officials across the CU System. The position develops and maintains strong relationships with CU leadership and other members of the university community. The position may also provide support as needed with State Relations activities on the four campuses.
This position reports to the Sr Vice President of External Relations & Strategy and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified System.
Where You Will Work:
This position is based in Denver and will follow a hybrid work structure (part work from home, part in office). Periodic travel to CU Campuses is required.
Diversity and Equity:
The University of Colorado System Administration Office is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse workforce. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• At the direction of the Sr VP of External Relations and Strategy and collaborating with the Federal Relations team, campus contacts and system leadership, develop federal policy and strategic initiatives for the entire university system to promote the university's interests and strategic initiatives;
• Provides strategic advice to Sr VP of External Relations and Strategy on university matters related to Federal Relations.
• Serves as an authority, or secures expertise, on policy areas impacting higher education at the federal level;
• Maintains relationships and communicates directly with the university partners on issues pertaining to Federal Relations;
• Monitors and tracks federal activities that directly impact the CU System and its four campuses;
• Provides periodic briefings for university leadership as needed;
• Serves as chief federal lobbyist for CU Denver and UCCS and communicates university positions relative to national policies;
• Initiates and participates in and briefs campus cabinet meetings, as well as System and Executive team meetings as needed;
• Coordinates with State OGR as needed ;
• Working with campus representatives, coordinates and staffs Federal Relations on-campus meetings, tours, and events for all four CU campuses, with the assistance of the Federal OGR team;
• Staffs CU System, CU Denver and UCCS leadership, faculty and staff on Hill and agency visits in Washington, DC as needed;
• Collaborates on key Federal Relationships in Washington, D.C. as well as in Colorado, and among campuses;
• Collaborates with Federal OGR team to assist faculty and staff in gathering letters of support on grants and nominations to national boards;
• Responds to Congressional requests for constituent casework;
• Researches, creates, and develops fact sheets and background materials on federal issues as needed;
• Prepares thank you letters for meetings, tours, and for signing on to federal legislation;
• Attends events on all four CU campuses as needed;
• Complies with all requirements of the Federal lobbying registration process;

What We Offer:
Salary: The anticipated hiring range has been established at $159,600-$170,000.
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Benefits: The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision and Wellness
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
  • Vacation Days: 22
  • Sick Days: 15
  • Holiday Days: 10
• Tuition Benefit: System employees have the benefit on all campuses
• ECO Pass: RTD Bus and light rail service
• Additional Perks & Programs: Click to access the CU Advantage, including perks and programs for our employees

Click here to access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. This position is a University Staff position.
Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.
More information on benefits programs, including eligibility, is available at www.cu.edu/employee-services/.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Please ensure your resume includes any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against these qualifications. You must meet all minimum requirements listed at the time of application to be considered for this role.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis).
• Six (6) years' professional experience working in government, public relations, civic engagement, external affairs, and/or field related to the work performed, which includes:
  • Three (3) years' experience working in areas related to congressional and federal affairs
  • Experience developing strategies and analyzing public policy.
  • Experience analyzing complex higher education policies and research information and communicating complex policies to federal policy makers and other external groups.
• Experience working in a leadership capacity, which includes working with high-level leaders and other internal and external partners.
• Local, regional, and national travel to CU campuses and CU's Washington, D.C. offices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in political science, public relations, communications, or field of study related to the work performed.
• Eight (8) years' professional experience working in government, public relations, civic engagement, external affairs, and/or field related to the work performed, which may include:
  • Five (5) years' experience working in or with government, institution of higher education, or non-profit organization
  • Experience working in a leadership capacity, which may include working with high-level leaders and other partners.
• Interest in advancing the University of Colorado and Colorado higher education

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of policy development processes and activities, including agenda setting, policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation
• Knowledge of governmental institutions, structures, systems, and processes
• Knowledge of developing or assessing higher education policy
• Knowledge of higher education and/or working in a setting of a similar size and scope to the University of Colorado,
• Negotiation skills, including the ability to listen, build rapport, solve problems, make decisions, be assertive, and deal with difficult situations
• Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret what others are saying and convey messages, information, concepts, and details accurately, clearly and timely
• Computer skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and learn and experiment with new software and systems
• Organizational skills, including the ability to set and meet goals,, manage appointments, create schedules, coordinate and facilitate meetings, and make decisions inclusively
• Research skills, including the ability to use a variety of tools to ask questions, gather information, and review, analyze, and interpret data
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to examine and summarize data and trends in order to resolve issues and produce results
• Ability to communicate effectively and work with diverse team members.
• Ability to self-start and take initiative in completing daily tasks and special projects
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from a diverse group of backgrounds, cultures, and ages
• Ability to handle and maintain sensitive and confidential material
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent and competing tasks and responsibilities, and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining personal effectiveness
• Ability to follow and uphold ethical guidelines, standards, and integrity and adhere to core character values of trustworthiness, respect, dependability, responsibility, and fairness,
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with a variety of internal and external constituencies
• Ability to promote the advancement of the University of Colorado and Colorado higher education and academic research
• Ability to navigate a complex political environment, and a high level of comfort working with various elected officials, their staff and top University officials.

How to Apply:
For full consideration, please attach the following as separate documents to your application:

1. A cover letter identifying the job specific minimum qualifications you possess
2. A resume including any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting.

Please ensure you check the "Job Specific Attachments" box next to each document on the "Required Documents" page of the application for the appropriate documents to be attached.
When to Apply:
For full consideration completed applications must be submitted by Wednesday, May 24th. Reference checking is a standard step in our hiring process. You may be asked to provide contact information, including email addresses, for up to five references as part of the search process for this position. *Please note: All application materials must be submitted through CU Careers; emailed materials will not be considered.*
Background Check Statement:
The University of Colorado is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that a verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.
ADA Statement:
We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process. We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation through the search process such as alternative formats of this posting. Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator at: systemhr@cu.edu.