Director Or Senior Director Of Communications, Government And Community Relations

Department: Government and Community Relations
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Compensation Band: OS-OA10-Fiscal Year 2023-2024
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

March 20, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit the following with your online application:
A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job announcement.
A resume of your educational and professional work experience.
Please Note: We may contact applicants who meet the minimum requirements in the job posting to request additional information for the next stage of review.

Department Summary

Government and Community Relations (GCR) supports the University of Oregon's (UO) mission of providing exceptional teaching, discovery, and service by strategically positioning the university to create awareness, build long-term relationships, and secure resources that increase understanding and further its aims. The unit comprises approximately a dozen employees primarily working out of Eugene, with additional offices in Portland. We are committed to fostering equity and inclusion in a welcoming, safe, and respectful environment that recognizes the value of all members of our community.
The Federal Affairs, State Affairs, Community Relations, and Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships programs together form the Office of Government and Community Relations (GCR). Government and Community Relations coordinates the University of Oregon's legislative and advocacy efforts at the federal, state, and local levels, including the university's sponsorship and Community engagement programs, and strategic relationships with companies, economic and business community engagement organizations, corporate foundations, and government groups. GCR's mission is to build and strengthen relationships with the university's constituencies and encourage investment in and support for the university, its programs, and its initiatives.

Position Summary

The Director or Senior Director of Communications, Government and Community Relations (Director/Senior Director) is responsible for the development and implementation of a strategic communication plan and cross-department strategies with Federal Affairs, State Affairs, Community Relations, Sponsorships, Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships, and Advocacy to promote and advance the university's Government and Community Relations priorities and strategic partnership objectives. The plan will include executing effective communications programs and tactics across state and federal affairs, Community Relations, sponsorships, advocacy, and economic development and strategic partnerships.
As part of that plan, the Director/Senior Director is expected to:
Work with GCR program managers to build rapport and outreach to stakeholders, supporters, and friends of the university.
Craft external messaging, talking points, media Q&A, speeches, articles, and other materials for university leadership and GCR program managers.
In close coordination with Media Relations within University Communications, create effective and proactive media outreach to state and local media, as well as national and state policy-oriented and government-focused media, provide proactive communications support and media relations support, create press strategies, press releases, support Media Relations in their relationships with news outlets, and be responsive to their questions in the context of issues that involve policymaker interest.
Work with GCR leadership to develop collateral material including leave-behinds, emails, newsletters, blog posts, and digital engagement.
Participate in the AAU Public Affairs Network and the APLU Council on Strategic Communications.
This position reports to the Vice President for Government and Community Relations (VP) with a dotted reporting line to University Communications (UC).
This position works closely with GCR leaders on effectively communicating the university's mission and value in the state of Oregon and region while supporting the university's legislative and advocacy efforts at the federal, state, and local levels.

Minimum Requirements

Director level position:
Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of skills and experience.
Five years of experience in communications, public relations, and public affairs, with a demonstrated focus on policy, engagement, or campaigns.
Senior Director level position:
Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of skills and experience.
Seven years of experience in communications, public relations, and public affairs, with a demonstrated focus on policy, engagement, or campaigns.

Professional Competencies

Comprehensive skills in communications including, but not limited to, demonstrated excellence in written, interpersonal, and strategic communications.
Sound understanding of government relations and strong political instincts and judgment.
Sound understanding of government relations and thorough knowledge of effective advocacy campaigns in a state or regional context.
Demonstrated ability to assimilate complicated information and write for a variety of audiences, media, and context.
Demonstrated experience with social media and digital communications including website, photo editing, content management systems, and presentation documents including PowerPoint.
Demonstrated competence in managing media relations.
Strong understanding of a state and regional political landscape and the policy-making process at state, federal and local levels.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to develop, scale, and advance multiple complex projects/problems simultaneously.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively regarding UO's mission and GCR strategy both verbally and in writing with all levels of the organization and external stakeholders.
Ability to work well in a highly developed and complex organization with varied stakeholders.
Ability to interact, communicate, and collaborate effectively with individuals, recognizing and respecting the many and varied identities of each person.
Commitment to integrity, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working at a media outlet, advocacy organization or non-profit, public agency, and/or an office of an elected official.
Demonstrated understanding of Oregon's political landscape.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

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All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.