Assistant Director of Federal Relations

# Req# 532487 — Assistant Director of Federal Relations
**Assistant Director Role**

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## 40% — Federal Relations Strategy
The Assistant Director of Federal Relations works directly under the supervision of the Director of Federal Relations and in collaboration with institutional leadership, faculty, and staff to advance UA’s strategic goals and priorities with the U.S. Congress, Federal Agencies, interest groups, and public policy organizations.

Leverages personal expertise and industry best practices to develop new ideas, identify opportunities, and recommend long‑term strategies that will strengthen and enhance UA’s relationships with political constituencies, external partners, and key stakeholders.

In coordination with the Director of Federal Relations and UA leadership, develops political engagement programs, projects, and timelines to promote UA’s institutional goals within the Federal Government and to influence policy and funding decisions critical to UA.

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## 30% — External Relations & Advocacy
A principal liaison between the university, federal policymakers, and their staffs, the Assistant Director cultivates, establishes, and maintains excellent working relationships with the Alaska Congressional Delegation, the Governor’s Washington, DC office, federal agencies, and higher education organizations.

Creates opportunities and events to showcase UA to federal policymakers, legislative audiences, and other key influencers. Develops presentations and marketing materials that promote UA’s unique strengths and capabilities and that are capable of influencing legislative, regulatory, funding, and policy decisions.

Provides professional advice, technical assistance, orientation, and training to faculty, staff, researchers, and program leads to ensure all UA external engagements conform to legislative policies, procedures, and protocols.

Manages communications and interactions between internal UA constituencies and external government audiences — the Alaska Congressional Delegation and university internal constituencies, staff, program managers, faculty, and researchers — to ensure clarity, coordination, and compliance with UA’s federal policy agenda.

Develops and manages custom internal and external communications to update university leadership, faculty, staff, and students on actions of significance to UA’s mission.

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## 20% — Policy Support & Engagement
Serves as a resource to policymakers, managing inquiries from legislative staff and federal agencies, and works with appropriate university resources to provide timely and accurate responses.

Raises the profile of the University of Alaska within the federal government establishment; identifies opportunities for UA faculty and staff to participate in legislative hearings, advisory groups, task forces, or other forums or policy initiatives related to UA’s mission.

Facilitates interactions between UA Federal Relations and UA alumni in the greater Washington, DC area and liaises with the appropriate contacts at the University of Alaska Foundation.

Coordinates a DC internship program with the appropriate UA faculty and staff.

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## 10% — Monitoring, Reporting & Administration
Monitors political news and trends at the national, state, and local levels; informs UA leadership and essential internal constituencies of potential problems and advises on strategies for resolution.

Monitors and tracks federal legislation, appropriations, and policies impactful to UA; designs, recommends, and coordinates effective responses.

Tracks and communicates opportunities for faculty to undertake temporary research‑related assignments in DC, including temporary placements in the White House, Congress, AAAS, and federal agencies such as NIH, NSF, DoD, etc.

Participates in engagement opportunities with national higher education associations (APLU, AASCU, SHEEO, ACE, etc.), UA alumni events, and the Alaska State Society.

Prepares and manages lobbying disclosure reports, expense reports, and bill documents.

Assists with event planning and administrative duties.

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