Director of Government Affairs

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Government Affairs will be the lead advocate for effectively and concisely communicating needs and impacts to legislators and other policy makers. Help identify organizational needs, potential state legislative or executive funding sources for programming and projects to address those needs and cultivate stakeholder champions for those projects. Director also performs stewardship function to communicate to sponsors and allies that funding has been invested in a timely manner and produced results. Incumbent is responsible for communicating with the UF/IFAS client network to facilitate needs assessment and support for statewide teaching, Extension, and research programs. The Director is above all well versed in UF/IFAS initiatives/projects and skilled in articulating the benefits and impacts of those projects. UF/IFAS relies on the Director to lobby directly for support of UF/IFAS projects, programs, and counter against policies, proposals, and bills harmful to the interests of UF and IFAS. The Director is fluent, clear, and persuasive in delivering messages in multiple ways, from hallway or “lobby” conversations to formal presentations to carefully developing persuasive printed and digital summary materials in collaboration with UF/IFAS Communications. Responsible for ensuring that all programs, activities, and series comply with university, state, and federal regulations. Develop and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff and stakeholders. The Director coordinates with colleagues who bring complementary relationships to legislative efforts, avoiding duplication of efforts and confusion about IFAS priorities. The Director will work directly with both the SVP and the SVP’s chief of staff in arranging legislative visits in Tallahassee, district-based legislative visits and opportunities across the state to interface with stakeholders and allies to engage their support for the UF/IFAS legislative agenda. Driving will be required for this role. Coordination with chief of staff to integrate SVP into legislative efforts. Coordination with lobbying teams representing other agricultural organizations in Tallahassee. Attendance at industry events, visits to IFAS faculty, staff, facilities, and programs statewide, necessitating overnight travel. The Director will serve as an advisor to the Senior Vice President. This will involve direct and proactive advice but also responsive to SVP ideas, including warnings of drawbacks and possible negative consequences of SVP proposals. Draft communications that include briefings with SVP and UF government relations. Participation is expected at SVP cabinet meetings and UF/IFAS Administrative Council meetings. Expected participation in legislative huddles with SVP and UF VP and sometimes UF AVP of Government Relations. Respond to legislative inquiries and major stakeholders with timely updated information and identification and recruitment of faculty experts to testify, as needed. Coordination and communication with in-house team based in UF government relations office in Tallahassee. Coordination with federal government relations team and preparing CARET delegates for DC visits with briefing books and Zoom/phone briefings and debriefings. Supervision of Legislative Associate.

Requirements

Master’s degree in appropriate area and six years of relevant experience or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and eight years of relevant experience.
Valid Driver's License.

Nice To Haves

A degree or experience related to government relations.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
Knowledge of Florida and federal legislative processes.
Experience in preparing presentations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the lead advocate for communicating needs and impacts to legislators and policy makers.
Identify organizational needs and potential funding sources from state legislative or executive branches.
Cultivate stakeholder champions for projects.
Perform stewardship functions to communicate funding investment results to sponsors and allies.
Communicate with the UF/IFAS client network for needs assessment and support of statewide programs.
Articulate the benefits and impacts of UF/IFAS initiatives and projects.
Lobby directly for support of UF/IFAS projects and programs.
Counter policies, proposals, and bills harmful to UF and IFAS interests.
Develop persuasive printed and digital summary materials.
Ensure compliance of all programs, activities, and series with university, state, and federal regulations.
Develop and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, and stakeholders.
Coordinate with colleagues on legislative efforts to avoid duplication and confusion.
Arrange legislative visits in Tallahassee and district-based visits.
Organize opportunities to interface with stakeholders and allies to gain support for the UF/IFAS legislative agenda.
Coordinate with the chief of staff to integrate the SVP into legislative efforts.
Coordinate with lobbying teams representing other agricultural organizations.
Attend industry events and visit IFAS faculty, staff, facilities, and programs statewide.
Serve as an advisor to the Senior Vice President, providing direct and proactive advice.
Draft communications, including briefings with SVP and UF government relations.
Participate in SVP cabinet meetings and UF/IFAS Administrative Council meetings.
Participate in legislative huddles with SVP and UF VP/AVP of Government Relations.
Respond to legislative inquiries and stakeholders with updated information.
Identify and recruit faculty experts to testify.
Coordinate and communicate with the UF government relations office in Tallahassee.
Coordinate with the federal government relations team.
Prepare CARET delegates for DC visits with briefing books and virtual briefings.
Supervise the Legislative Associate.