Director or Senior Director for Legislative Policy

University of Oregon•Eugene, OR

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director or Senior Director of Legislative Policy serves a critical role in advancing the success of University of Oregon (UO), and its students, faculty, and staff through legislative lobbying at the state and federal levels. This position works closely with university leadership to promote the UO’s value and secure sustained and increased investments in public higher education. The director/senior director serves as a strategic partner to both the Associate Vice President for State Affairs, and Executive Director of Government and Community Relations and the Senior Associate Vice President for Federal Affairs in advancing the UO’s legislative agenda and enhancing awareness among lawmakers and public officials of the UO’s strengths and contributions. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for State Affairs, and Executive Director of Government and Community Relations, this position will enhance impact across the State and Federal portfolios by aligning strategy and engagement on campus. In coordination with the Associate Vice President for State Affairs and the Senior Associate Vice President of Federal Affairs, the director/senior director ensures the alignment of strategies and engagement efforts across state and federal portfolios. A key responsibility is working with state legislative staff to monitor and assess legislation, budget, proposals, and agency initiatives to articulate their impact on, and opportunities for, the university. The position will be expected to travel to Salem daily when the legislature is in session and maintain a regular office presence in Eugene or Portland when not in Salem. Occasional travel outside of Oregon is required to support federal legislative efforts. Candidates residing outside of these communities who can commute to an office location and the Oregon State Capitol will be considered.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of skills and experience
Five years of experience in legislative affairs, staff to agency or public official, and/or legislative or political campaign advocacy (for Director level)
Three years of experience working with government agencies, budgets, and legislative processes (for Director level)
Seven years of experience in legislative affairs, staff to agency or public official, and/or legislative or political campaign advocacy (for Senior Director level)
Five years of experience working with government agencies, budgets, and legislative processes (for Senior Director level)
Deep knowledge of political dynamics and legislative process
Ability to motivate and work well with students, faculty, staff, business and community leaders, and volunteers to build public and political support for the university
Ability to quickly develop deep knowledge of unfamiliar subject matter and the ability to understand and communicate complex topics
Ability to interact, communicate, and work effectively with individuals, recognizing and respecting the many and varied identities of each person
Ability to quickly adapt to new information and anticipate needs of decision-makers
Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills
Ability to manage confidential or sensitive information and issues responsibly
Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree
Demonstrated leadership experience working with multiple stakeholders to advance a specific initiative or agenda
Knowledge of policies and initiatives involving higher education
Seven years of experience in state or federal legislative processes (for Director level)
Experience working with Oregon policymakers (for Director level)
One year of working with Oregon policymakers (for Senior Director level)
Two years of experience working with policies and initiatives involving higher education (for Senior Director level)
Ten years of experience in state or federal legislative processes (for Senior Director level)

Responsibilities

Advance the success of University of Oregon (UO), and its students, faculty, and staff through legislative lobbying at the state and federal levels
Work closely with university leadership to promote the UO’s value and secure sustained and increased investments in public higher education
Serve as a strategic partner to both the Associate Vice President for State Affairs, and Executive Director of Government and Community Relations and the Senior Associate Vice President for Federal Affairs in advancing the UO’s legislative agenda and enhancing awareness among lawmakers and public officials of the UO’s strengths and contributions
Enhance impact across the State and Federal portfolios by aligning strategy and engagement on campus
Ensure the alignment of strategies and engagement efforts across state and federal portfolios
Work with state legislative staff to monitor and assess legislation, budget, proposals, and agency initiatives to articulate their impact on, and opportunities for, the university