Director of State Relations and Advocacy

Tennessee Board of Regents•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Director of State Relations and Advocacy will support and execute the Tennessee Board of Regents’ state legislative and advocacy strategy under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Government and Public Relations. Working closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, the Director will implement advocacy plans, build and sustain relationships with members of the Tennessee General Assembly, state officials, agency partners, and other policy stakeholders, and advance the System’s established budget, policy, workforce development, and student success priorities. The Director will carry out legislative outreach and engagement strategies; coordinate meetings, briefings, materials, and communications; and represent TBR in meetings, hearings, events, and other public-policy settings, as assigned. In partnership with the Director of Legislation, the Director will use legislative monitoring and analysis to inform timely advocacy and stakeholder-engagement activities and will help communicate the potential impact of legislative activity on the TBR System. The Director will coordinate and manage the planning and execution of TBR’s annual Day on the Hill event, including engagement with colleges, legislators, partners, and internal departments. The position will also support other strategic government relations events, stakeholder engagement efforts, and legislative communications throughout the year. This position serves in a cross-functional role with the other directors in the Department of Government and Public Relations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
5 years’ experience in working in state government and/or higher education
Evidenced experience in governmental and legislative affairs
Strong working knowledge of legislative trends at the state level

Nice To Haves

Specific experience in policy or government relations pertaining to the State of Tennessee
Evidenced work experience in Tennessee state government at the legislative or administration liaison level or higher
Knowledge of legislative trends at the federal level and their impact

Responsibilities

Represent TBR at legislative committee meetings, hearings, and events.
Execute outreach and advocacy plans with members of the General Assembly, state officials, and other policy stakeholders.
Facilitate communication between TBR leadership and state government officials.
Respond to legislative information requests.
Prepare talking points, background materials, and policy messages tailored to assigned audiences.
Coordinate pre-meetings with key legislators in advance of TBR’s annual legislative budget hearings and other priority legislative engagements.
Monitor proposed state legislation affecting TBR’s community and technical colleges.
Assess legislative schedules, committee calendars, and other governmental meetings to support strategic engagement.
Maintain legislative tracking systems.
Prepare bill summaries and background materials.
Identify items requiring advocacy outreach or further review.
Support weekly bill-review meetings.
Support the implementation of TBR’s annual legislative agenda and budget priorities by coordinating advocacy activities, legislative outreach, stakeholder communications, and follow-up.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Department of Government and Public Relations and other TBR departments to ensure advocacy activities align with the System’s broader communications and public-policy strategy.
Build and maintain productive relationships with legislators, legislative staff, state officials, college administrators, and other external stakeholders in support of TBR’s established legislative and advocacy priorities.
Travel to legislative districts, TBR institutions, and other locations across the state to support relationship-building and advocacy efforts.
Coordinate and manage the planning and execution of TBR’s annual Day on the Hill, including engagement with colleges, legislators, partners, vendors, and internal departments.
Support other legislative events and stakeholder-engagement activities as assigned.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned.