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Req #: 247941

Department: OFFICE OF STATE RELATIONS

Appointing Department Web Address: https://www.washington.edu/externalaffairs/

Job Location Detail: open to hybrid work schedule (combination in-office + remote); travel to Olympia during state legislative session

Posting Date: 07/16/2025

Closing Info:

Closes On 07/30/2025

Salary: $12,918 to $13,500 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes:

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. ( https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-contract-covered-exempt-20250130-a11y.pdf)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

**We have an outstanding opportunity for a Director, State Relations to join their team to provide the unique opportunity to serve a critical function for the UW and advance the institution’s state legislative agenda.** The Office of State Relations is the unit within the University that is responsible for communicating institutional priorities; developing and maintaining positive working relationships; and raising the profile of the UW within the state establishment.

The Director is a professional-level position that has primary responsibility for promoting information flow to and from the state government and campus stakeholders; advising and implementing UW’s institutional lobbying strategies; and monitoring and analyzing state bills and policies.

Position Complexities:

There are periods of intensive peaks that regularly require work beyond a normal work week. It is often necessary to attend (in person or by phone conferences) evening or weekend meetings. This position must have intimate knowledge of the UW's institutional priorities and use independent and sound judgment when advancing these priorities to the state establishment. Daily communication to and from campus is necessary to relay information, collect feedback, and/or revise strategies with the campus community on critical aspects of the institution’s state strategy.

Position Dimensions and Impact to the University:

The position has a direct and singular impact on specific UW state initiatives and serves as part of a multi-university team to advance the university’s agenda. This position is responsible for developing and executing strategies to maintain and enhance portions of the state funding stream. Additionally, this position must monitor, analyze, and lobby on state legislation which may affect the research, education, and community service missions of the university.

Position responsibilities

In collaboration with senior campus stakeholders, develop and implement strategies to ensure constant state support for UW priorities at the state level.

-working with the University’s leadership and external relations staff to develop, execute and strategically manage all aspects of the University of Washington’s state legislative agenda

-traveling around the state building and maintaining strong relationships with University deans, vice presidents and other senior officials

-directing and arranging interactions and access between senior UW officials and members of the State Legislature, key legislative committees, the Governor’s Office, other state agencies, and their supporting staff members

-responding to legislative proposals that affect the University to make certain that UW interests are appropriately taken into consideration

-negotiating, managing, and directing work under contract with private lobbying firms

-providing and arranging testimony at legislative hearings;

Act as a legislative and policy resource to the Vice President, campus community, and legislative / agency offices.

-working with the Federal Relations, Regional Relations, and Tribal Relations in communicating University policies and positions;

-obtaining and communicating information concerning proposed state legislation or regulations that impact the University and higher education to appropriate members of the UW administration

Build and proactively maintain relationships with key policy makers, lobbyists, advocacy groups, etc. Remain prominently visible. Actively participate within the higher education community and take the lead on issues which concern the UW.

-networking with other higher education representatives from Washington state schools to ensure legislative and regulatory outcomes of benefit to the higher education community

-representing State Relations on a variety of University committees

-ensuring efficient management of the State Relations offices (Seattle and Olympia), including supervising a staff of two and managing private lobbyist contracts, as well as overseeing other contracts for services that may arise.

Provide and oversee written contributions to reports and publications produced by the Office of State Relations and make oral presentations to a variety of campus groups, including the Board of Regents.

Lead Responsibilities:

This position has the lead responsibility for representing the university to state stakeholders.

This position will have the lead responsibility for engaging with the campus leadership and community to support the development and execution of the annual UW state agenda.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise a staff of two and oversee work of lobbyists on contract with the UW.

Working environmental conditions

There are periods of intensive peaks that regularly require work beyond a normal work week. It is often necessary to attend (in person or by phone conferences) evening or weekend meetings.

Other comments

This position will need to travel to Olympia office during State Legislative Session.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of progressively responsible experience with state government and/or legislative activities. Applicants are required to demonstrate:

• strategic thinking

• dynamic organizational, project leadership, outreach, relationship and team building skills

• excellent ability to see tasks through to completion

• superior written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills

• strong analytical and quantitative skills

• ability to function independently and effectively in a stressful work environment

• proven capacity to function effectively in the legislative environment

• strong knowledge of the structure and workings of state government

• strong knowledge of the State legislative budget process

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree or nine years of progressively responsible experience with state government and/or legislative activities.

• Knowledge of higher education institutions and interests.

• Basic familiarity with technology (website blogs, PDAs, productivity software, etc.) necessary for effective job performance

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. **Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.**

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.