Director of State Government Relations at Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Executive Vice President of Policy and Government Relations, the Director of State Government Relations is charged with advancing HACU's legislative agenda on state government issues in midwestern states. Under the direction of the Executive Vice President of Policy and Government Relations, the incumbent will coordinate activities for legislative relations, including advocacy efforts with executive and legislative branches of the state governments, as well collaboration with regional policy centers, Hispanic and other advocacy organizations, legislative affairs departments of member colleges/universities and systems in the region, and higher education associations. Track and analyze state policy and bills under development or introduced. The Director of Government Relations also supervises staff assigned to the Midwest Regional Office and communicates operational needs to corresponding HACU managers.

BENEFITS

• HACU offers a friendly work environment and a generous company-paid benefits plan. Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• 15 company paid holidays.
• Employer-paid Group-Term Life, AD&D, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability benefits
• Generous employer-paid contributions toward healthcare plan expense 403(b), employer contributions (no match required) starting at six months of service.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Optional dental, vision, legal, identity protection, accident, cancer, hospital indemnity, and dependent life insurance plans.
• Salary Range: $110,000 - $140,000

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in public policy, political science, law, public administration, or higher education or related field. A bachelor's degree in any of those fields and five or more years of experience in a similar position is acceptable in lieu of a master's degree.
• A minimum of four years of increasingly responsible experience in state government relations, policy analysis and advocacy, and a proven ability to advocate for legislative and policy change, preferably in higher education or education-related issues.
• A minimum of four years of experience and success in state lobbying work as a registered lobbyist; required.
• A minimum of four years of experience in a supervisory role.
• Candidate must demonstrate a breadth of diverse leadership capabilities and qualifications including the ability to collaborate with peers, coach and develop subordinates, and design work methods that encourage staff to work cooperatively to achieve meaningful outcomes and support HACU's culture, mission, and values.
• Experience and/or training at the state level on issues impacting Hispanics in higher education.
• Proven experience in a non-profit organization or policy firm.
• Strong knowledge of higher education or education-related issues and policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks.
• High level of discretion and ethical judgment in navigating political landscapes.
• Ability to analyze and respond to budgets, legislation, and regulations at the state level with a strong knowledge of the appropriations processes and procedures.
• Proficiency in using legislative tracking tools, databases, and research resources.
• Excellent research and policy analysis, development, and technical (legislative and regulatory) writing skills.
• Must be able to communicate complex policy issues clearly and effectively.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of strategic planning and budgeting.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills necessary to interact with all levels of HACU staff, legislators and other elected/appointed officials, regulators and other groups with diverse backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and other virtual meeting tools is required (i.e., Zoom, document merges, databases, creation, data entry, maintenance, report generation).

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works collaboratively and strategically in a team environment with all levels of professional, technical, and administrative staff to ensure the fulfillment of HACU's mission, goals, and objectives.
• Following the direction of the Executive Vice President of Policy and Government Relations, assists in the organization and coordination of HACU's legislative strategies and activities with the midwest regional state governments and agencies.
• Supervise and mentor MRO government relations staff, including setting performance standards and goals, providing feedback, and facilitating professional development.
• Assist the EVP of Policy and Government Relations with regional activities in support of HACU's state government advocacy activities, including contact with state elected officials and their local office staff for the midwest region states.
• Meet with legislators, legislative staff, state agency staff, lobbyists, members of advocacy groups, and the general public regarding legislative policy issues.
• Lead the preparation and submission of formal comments, testimony, and position papers on proposed state legislation and regulatory matters in the midwestern states region to the EVP of Policy and Government Relations.
• Prepare written statements and analyses of budget and policy documents and present analyses to the EVP of Policy and Government Relations.
• Monitor legislative proceedings in the midwestern states and provide reports of the proposed or passed legislation to EVP of State Policy and Government Relations.
• Work closely with the midwest regional state agencies in identifying resources for regional HSIs and for transmitting this information to HSIs in the appropriate manner and in a timely fashion.
• Communicate with and engage regional HSI presidents and other key institutional officials and state government officials in promoting and advocating HACU's regional policy priorities, bills and/or regulations that have a potential impact on member institutions in the region.
• As directed, and in collaboration with other HACU staff, coordinate state and/or regional meetings of HSI presidents and/or campus leaders around state/regional legislative and educational policy issues.
• Arrange and facilitate testimony, meetings, and other such contacts with elected or appointed state officials for HACU's President and Presidents/CEOs of HACU-member institutions.
• As a team, work with the Directors of Government Affairs to monitor and analyze regional state legislative bills and proposals to ensure that the interests of HACU-member institutions are included in such items.
• As requested by HACUs EVP of Policy and Government Relations, represent HACU at meetings/conferences/symposiums and make presentations to groups.
• Write summaries, documents, and internal reports for inclusion in monthly cabinet and staff meetings.
• Write, publish and disseminate regional legislative alert announcements, briefs and newsletters for timely distribution to membership and other target groups as directed.
• Prepares required reporting information including local, state and/or federal lobbying reports and other reporting, as necessary.
• Work with the EVP for Policy and Government Relations and HACU's Communication's team to establish and maintain MRO social media presence.
• Manage the midwestern regional office budget, ensuring effective use of resources.
• Assist senior management in other tasks or projects as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Carries out supervisory responsibilities for all personnel assigned to the Midwest Regional Office. These duties are to be carried out in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable federal and state laws. Responsibilities would include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Working conditions are on-site at a small branch office environment, creating the ability to collaborate closely with a small team of people with varied responsibilities.
• Employee will work a standard of 40 hours a week; however, longer hours may be necessary at times.
• Conferences and events may take place in a hotel and/or convention center settings and require longer hours of work on a constantly changing schedule, including work on evenings and weekends.
• Occasionally moves items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Occasionally requires employee to squat, kneel, bend at the waist, and reach for items.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Employee performs essential functions of the job in an office setting.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Maintains and ensures security of HACU-issued equipment, software, data, and supplies.
• Maintains and ensures security of HACU-issued equipment, software, data, and supplies.
• Travel is required for this position, including but not limited to out-of-state conferences and local travel. Travel frequency may vary depending on the needs of the State Government Relations department.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

In accordance with the ADA and other applicable laws, reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

EEO STATEMENT

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) believes that equal opportunity for all employees and applicants is important for the continuing success of our organization. As an equal opportunity employer, HACU is committed to a policy that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and to make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment opportunity. HACU will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are offered employment and employees are treated during employment without regard to these characteristics. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or accommodation to apply for a posted position, contact our Human Resources department via phone at 210-576-3216 or via email at jobs@hacu.net.

For HACU's full Equal Opportunity Policy Statement, click here.

ADA STATEMENT

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the HACU will provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed during the application process, please email jobs@hacu.net. For more information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, click here.

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