Job no: 516877
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Leon
Categories: Executive/Director/Management
Department:09010000 - GV-VICE PRESIDENT-OFFICE

Assistant Director, Government Relations

Work in Tallahassee, Florida. Provide research and analysis support to the University of Florida (UF) legislative team. Help plan, analyze, and execute strategies to advance UF’s overarching goals of academic and research excellence. Support UF’s mission of education, research, and public service by representing UF in relations with state and federal government officials and staff members. Build and maintain relationships with elected and appointed government officials and their staff members, state agencies, relevant corporate partners, alumni, and students to ensure they are informed consistently about important policy and political issues. Support the coordination of UF’s responses to these issues. Oversee the Gator Advocates network. Work to raise UF’s profile locally, nationally, and internationally through this network by developing and curating content and developing strategies to attract subscribers, followers, and other audience members to the network. Provide administrative support to and on behalf of the UF Government Relations Office in Tallahassee.

Monitor and analyze a wide variety of state legislative and budgetary issues. and regulations with potential to affect UF. Attend legislative hearings to monitor key legislation; carefully review bills, calendars, journals, and legislative publications to determine status and prepare updates for UF. Develop briefs and bill summaries for legislative and committee staff members, internal stakeholders, and the UF community. Together with UF lobby team, research and track all bills that may affect UF throughout the legislative process. Curate and distribute legislative materials to directors, staff members, and legislators. Investigate, evaluate, prepare responses, and properly route internal and external correspondence. Research and gather information to develop presentations and reports. Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to assist in formulating a strategy for advancing UF’s interests at the state level. Assist in advancing UF’s state legislative priorities in coordination with members of the government and community relations team and outside consultants related to higher education, agriculture, health, sponsored research, and other relevant policy areas.

Oversee UF’s advocacy network, Gator Advocates. Together with Director of Government Relations and outside consultants, develop and curate content for the Gator Advocates’ social media channels, newsletters, and web pages. Develop strategies to attract subscribers, followers, and other audience members to the network. Compose periodic action alerts and legislative updates for distribution during the legislative session. Benchmark other advocacy programs in higher education and develop strategies to improve the advocacy program’s engagement. Develop in-depth expertise and knowledge that is helpful when promoting UF to key stakeholders via Gator Advocates. Direct prompt responses to emails received, social media interactions (where warranted), and other external engagement. Monitor and participate in CASE and PHELAP workgroups. Travel/participate in conferences and meetings as needed.

Independently conduct daily administrative activities, including (but not limited to) maintaining Tallahassee office daily operations (including arranging meetings), preparing meeting materials (including legislative packets with a special focus on building key relationships to advance legislative agenda), answering phones, filing, maintaining calendars, arranging travel; managing special projects, oversee budgetary/fiscal entities for Government Relations’ Tallahassee Office (oversee purchasing card (p-card) functions as directed and track office and travel expenses for the budget. Assist with constituent requests. Assist government and community relations team and outside consultants (as requested) with the development and execution of events held in Tallahassee, such as UF’s annual “Gator Day,” “Orange and Blue-Plate Luncheons,” and appropriate virtual events.

Interact effectively with legislative staff members, elected and appointed officials, UF employees, alumni, and students to promote UF on a state and national level. Identify and assist UF in pursuing programs and initiatives that enhance faculty and student enrichment opportunities (such as advisory groups, panels, or internships).

Host UF contingent (including administrators, trustees, faculty members, students, and others) when in Tallahassee. Serve as a point of contact for visit needs, including providing transportation (if needed).

Recommend methods to support and enrich student opportunities, including the Tallahassee Internship Program through the Graham Center.

Commensurate with experience.

Masters degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience; or a bachelors degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience.

EDUCATION & TRAINING: Graduate or professional degree

EXPERIENCE: Experience working in government relations, a government agency, legislative body, or similar field

KNOWLEDGE
- Expert knowledge of State of Florida legislative process and structure
- Significant understanding of UF and the State of Florida
- Knowledge of computer word processing, database management, legislative tracking, spreadsheets, and graphs
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter, resume, and professional references.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

No

Advertised: 01 Jun 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 15 Jun 2021 Eastern Daylight Time