Director of Federal Relations

About The State University of New York

The State University of New York, or SUNY, is the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the United States, with 64 colleges and universities spanning the state from Long Island to the Adirondacks to Buffalo. SUNY System Administration employees, based in Albany and New York City, provide critical support for SUNY campuses, employees, and students to advance SUNY’s mission of providing high-quality, affordable higher education for all.

Across a wide range of roles, from finance and legal counsel to student support, academic affairs, IT, admissions, and more, our employees work toward advancing the four priority pillars established by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees: student success; research and scholarship; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and economic development and upward mobility. SUNY System Administration is a mission-driven workplace with robust New York State benefits including health insurance, retirement, time off, and paid family leave.

Job Description

The State University of New York (SUNY) seeks a highly proactive, energetic, and advocacy-minded Director of Federal Relations to work full-time in Washington, D.C. to lead advancement of the system’s federal relations legislative and budgetary priorities, as well as to elevate SUNY’s stature amongst the Executive, Congress, and federal agencies. It is an exciting time to join SUNY, and under the leadership of Chancellor John King, the Director of Federal Relations will join a highly collaborative team working to set policy and advance the Chancellor’s strategic priorities.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Government Relations, the position is a liaison between the federal government and SUNY System Administration, SUNY’s 64 campuses, as well as to professional associations, advocacy organizations, and more.

The wide-ranging responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Promoting SUNY’s interest in higher education and other legislative, policy, and budgetary concerns at the federal level.
• Establishing strong relationships with the NYS Congressional Delegation and other relevant members of the United States Congress, the White House, the U.S. Department of Education, as well as other agencies and entities focused on areas that relate to SUNY’s interests. Examples include the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy, Veterans Affairs, National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and others.
• Helping craft and execute SUNY’s federal advocacy with a strategic vision to define and advance SUNY’s policy positions, partnering with Governor Kathy Hochul’s federal affairs team in D.C., and working closely with the NYS Congressional Delegation to advocate for SUNY’s priorities.
• Elevating SUNY’s profile in the national higher education landscape, highlighting SUNY’s expert research, engaging alumni in policy-making positions, and ensuring SUNY is appropriately represented on federal taskforces and association leadership opportunities.
• Organizing regular D.C. visits from SUNY leadership and campuses. Identifying opportunities for faculty engagement, student engagement, alumni engagement, and the SUNY DC Days annual event.
• Tracking and monitoring the federal budget and legislative process. Identifying opportunities for SUNY to opine on key legislation and issues, as well as funding opportunities for SUNY campuses.
• Supporting SUNY Research Foundation staff on opportunities to leverage federal funding for research.
• Building and maintaining a network of key stakeholders in D.C., including professional higher education associations, other state systems, campuses, advocacy organizations, and representing SUNY at relevant events.
• Preparing briefing documents and materials to support SUNY events and leadership meetings.
• Preparing testimony for legislative and budget developments and other related events.
• Managing correspondence from federal stakeholders.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Five to seven years of experience working with elected officials and public officials.
• Exceptional familiarity with the federal budgetary and legislative process.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Self-starting personality and ability to work independently.
• Ability to travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Event planning experience.
• Knowledge of the federal grant-making process.
• Familiarity with the NYS political landscape.
• Existing relationships with the NYS Congressional Delegation and/or relevant federal agency staff.

Additional Information

Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $170,000 – $190,000.

Benefits:

• NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage.
• Competitive retirement options.
• Tuition assistance and parental leave at full pay.
• Generous vacation, sick, and holiday time (13 days of paid holidays per year; 21 days of vacation and sick time accrued annually).

For more benefits information, visit: SUNY Benefits Overview.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates are invited to apply online. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and four professional references when applying. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

SUNY System Administration is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity employment.