Associate Director of Federal Relations

Sensitive Position

No

Job Description

General Description:

The Associate Director of Federal Relations works in the Office of Government Affairs and reports to the Director of Government and Community Relations. The Associate Director provides logistical support and a liaison role for NOVA for relationships with the U.S. Congress and federal executive agencies. This role monitors and analyzes legislation and regulations, coordinates routine visits to government branches, and communicates current governmental topics of interest with appropriate College partners.

Duties and Tasks:

• Monitors and analyzes the impact of standard and routine federal legislation and regulations. Recommends course of action and proceeds upon supervisor approval.
• Identifies and interprets trends in politics and public policy based on objectives set by supervisor.
• Coordinates on-going routine visits to Washington, D.C. with NOVA administrators, faculty and staff.
• Works with the Director to develop broad strategies and polices.
• Maximizes efforts in accordance with standard operating policy and procedures with coalition partners to advocate on behalf of higher education.
• Develops background information and materials for use in Washington, D.C.
• Creates and post messaging content on official government relations social media channels, with input from the director.
• Serves as the lead in crafting and recommending advocacy strategies within the portfolio to influence the outcome of legislative and regulatory proposals.
• Works closely with colleagues in peer institutions and the VCCS, as well as higher education associations, to share information, develop shared positions, and carry out coordinated advocacy strategies.
• Ensures conditions for College Board governance are met. This includes compliance with Open Records laws, recommending clear goals to board members to help them achieve institutional goals and encourage effective communication among themselves.
• Collaborates on communication strategies as a dimension of advocacy for issues that are being tracked and new regulations.
• Works in coalition with other community college partners and higher education associations
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Assignment:

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA’s/Required Qualifications

KSAs:

• Strong organizational, time-management and interpersonal communication skills.
• Familiarity with the operations of the U.S. Congress and one or more federal government research agencies.
• Capacity to work independently and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex and changing legislation regulations.
• Familiarity with electronic communications (email, text, social media, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with college partners, including College Board and leadership, faculty, staff and students.
• Capability to develop long-term plans and goals for the College Board while considering broader organizational objectives and align them with the higher educational landscape.
• Ability to advocate and build coalitions to advance institutional objectives.
• Ability to work in a high energy, fast-paced team environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in teams, collaborate with others and effectiveness in cross divisional cooperation.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritizing various work assignments while meeting multiple deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely orally and in writing.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in handling confidential information with discretion and working collaboratively with others.
• Experience with advocacy strategies, including developing and maintaining professional relationships.
• Experience in federal government affairs and public policy, including policy analysis and development.
• Project and/or event management experience

Additional Considerations

• Experience working with federal, state, and local government officials and agencies.
• Experience working in government affairs at an institution of higher education.
• Experience working in government affairs in Virginia.
• Experience in higher education policy or government relations and/or experience with federal agencies or programs (e.g., the Department of Labor, Title IV)

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