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Job Description

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.

The Office of State Relations serves as the primary liaison between the University of Washington and state government. It is responsible for communicating and advancing the University’s institutional priorities; fostering positive, collaborative working relationships with external and internal partners; and raising the profile of the UW within state government and across the state.

We have an outstanding opportunity for an Associate Director to join their team.

The Associate Director works collaboratively with the Director to advance the University’s mission and strategic goals. This professional level position has substantial responsibility to develop and execute communication and advocacy strategies that promote the University’s interests, enhance legislative and public awareness of state higher education issues, and ensure effective and consistent engagement between the University, the state, and key stakeholders on issues of strategic importance.

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 or virtual 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 with the campus community is necessary to share information, collect feedback, and revise strategies for the University’s state-level initiatives and priorities.

The Associate Director must be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently and effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment; navigate state government structures and processes; possess strong oral and written communication skills; exhibit excellent analytical abilities; foster collaboration and build relationships with key stakeholders; and effectively engage with state and University leaders and partners.

Position Dimensions and Impact to the University:

The position has a direct impact in advancing UW state initiatives and serves as a member of a broader team dedicated to promoting the University’s mission and institutional priorities. This position is responsible for helping to develop and implement strategies to sustain and enhance state funding for the University. In collaboration with the Director of State Relations, the position monitors, analyzes, and advocates state policy that may impact the education, research, and public service missions of the University.

Duties & Responsibilities:

50% -- In collaboration with the Director of State Relations, develop and implement advocacy and communications strategies to secure support for the University’s priorities at the state level; monitor and analyze policy and political developments to strategic decision-making and messaging; build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials and key stakeholders essential to advancing the University’s state legislative agenda and higher education priorities; serve as a liaison to state government and help manage internal engagement to ensure coordinated representation of the University’s interests; provide guidance on public agency lobbying laws to support compliance; and effectively navigate and engage in state government processes (e.g., committee hearings; budget process; rulemaking) to support UW’s policy and funding objectives.

25%-- Work in consultation with external partners, including the state’s other higher education institutions, to coordinate state advocacy efforts and communication strategies; monitor and manage state legislative requests; coordinate campus tours and state relations events and meetings; and support legislative ethics education and reporting.

25% -- Act as a communications resource and liaison to the Director of State Relations, UW campus community, and state offices. This includes developing high-quality, strategic communications materials, such as digital content, issue briefs, testimony, talking points, memos, presentations, and correspondence.

Lead Responsibilities:

This position will work in coordination with the Director of State Relations to advance the University’s education, research, and public service missions within state government by cultivating relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders, developing and executing advocacy and communication strategies, and navigating state government structures and processes.

This position will manage multiple, often diverse and complex policy issues during legislative sessions and provide strategic guidance on policy and legislative strategies.

The position will engage with internal and external stakeholders to align on policy priorities and drive advocacy supporting the UW and higher education.

This position will conceptualize and draft communications materials for the Office of State Relations, including (but not limited to) digital content, issue briefs, testimony, talking points, memos, presentations, and correspondence.

This position will coordinate and execute events and meetings hosted by the Office of State Relations, including (but not limited to) campus tours, in-district legislative meetings and visits, advocacy events, and UW campus community visits to Olympia.

This position will help provide guidance on lobbying laws to support compliance.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, communications or relevant field

• Plus a minimum of 5 years of experience in government, government relations, legislative environment

• In-depth knowledge of the state legislative and budget processes, as well as state lobbying laws

• Experience working with elected officials who hold diverse ideological perspectives and represent urban, rural, and suburban communities

• Skilled in legislative analysis, communications, and advocacy, including developing and executing politically feasible strategies to advance priorities or mitigate risk

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

• Demonstrated success in building relationships and cultivating coalitions with internal and external stakeholders

• Strong capacity to synthesize large amounts of complex information and communicate it succinctly

• Proven ability in conceptualizing, drafting, and producing a variety of high-quality communications materials

• Effective team player with a collaborative mindset

• Able to manage multiple high-priority projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

• Exercises sound, independent judgement

• Willing and available to travel to the state capitol in Olympia, WA during the legislative session (January-March/April)

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 in public administration, public affairs, communications, or relevant field

• Experience with the Washington State legislative process

• Experience advocating in Olympia on behalf of a large, diverse organization or institution

• Knowledge of the University of Washington and/or higher education policy and advocacy

• Familiarity with public and media communication

• Familiarity with mentoring a junior employee

Working Environmental Conditions

• There are periods of intensive peaks that regularly require work beyond a normal work week. It is sometimes necessary to attend (in person or by phone or virtual conferences) evening or weekend meetings. Vacation requests are subject to the approval of the Director of State Relations and may be limited to periods when the legislature is not in session.

• Travel between Seattle and Olympia for meetings is common and required. Travel to events and meetings across the state is common outside of the legislative session.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$92,364.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$125,004.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://hr.uw.edu/eoaa/) . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

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.