Director, Federal Government Relations – Higher Education

# Overview

**Salary Range**
$130,000.00 – $143,000.00 per year

**Position Type**
Full Time

**Job Shift**
Hybrid

**Education Level**
Graduate Degree

**Travel Percentage**
Up to 25%

**Category**
Advocacy and Government Relations

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# Description

The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is looking to add a talented Director of Federal Government Relations – Higher Education to its team.

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# Overview

The Office of Advocacy and Government Relations (AGR) contributes to ADEA being recognized by policymakers in the federal, state, and local governments as the sole organization representing dental education. The AGR team monitors legislative and regulatory activity that may impact dental education, higher education policy, and dental and craniofacial research at the state and federal levels, including Congress, the White House, federal agencies, associations representing organized dentistry, other health professions, and organizations representing policymakers at the state level.

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# Summary of Position

The Director of Federal Government Relations is the leader within the Advocacy and Government Relations team responsible for representing ADEA’s dental education advocacy agenda to all federal audiences. Additionally, the Director works collaboratively with members of the AGR team to meet the team’s advocacy goals in a dynamic environment.

The incumbent will establish and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, their staff, key House and Senate Committee staff, and senior staff of Executive Branch agencies to further the goals of the AGR team and ADEA. Through presentations and communications to internal and external audiences, the Director serves as the voice of dental education to federal government entities.

The Director is also responsible for assisting in keeping ADEA membership informed about federal legislative and regulatory activities related to priorities approved by the ADEA Board of Directors.

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# Typical Duties and Responsibilities

– Track federal legislation, rules, and regulations that affect dental education and dental and craniofacial research.
– Monitor and advocate on topics related to higher education legislation, rules, and regulations affecting dental education and dental craniofacial research.
– Assist in advocating for funding for programs of interest affecting dental education.
– Develop, implement, and direct communication strategies for federal grassroots advocacy information in written and oral form for ADEA members.
– Develop and produce communication vehicles to inform members of federal issues affecting dental education through contributions to newsletters including the ADEA Advocate, the ADEA Bulletin of Dental Education, ADEA Action Alerts, and special reports.
– Participate in quarterly AGR virtual communication with members to provide updates on legislative issues, proposed or final rules and regulations, and federal judicial proceedings affecting the oral health community.
– Develop and implement strategies to mobilize ADEA members for advocacy; utilize social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and databases for action alerts.
– Work with the ADEA web team and AGR staff to ensure timely content on the ADEA Advocacy Website.
– Assist in the formulation and execution of Capitol Hill Day and other advocacy workshops at ADEA’s office, Annual Session, or dental schools across the country.
– Respond to ADEA members’ inquiries.
– Work collaboratively with the AGR team to carry out the team’s agenda.
– Other duties as assigned.

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# Qualifications

## Required Qualifications

– Minimum of six years of relevant experience and a master’s degree.
– A law degree is strongly preferred.
– Experience working in Congress or a federal agency, particularly with higher education regulations or legislation.
– Mastery of the legislative and/or regulatory education processes.
– Self‑motivated, confident, detail‑oriented individual with excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills. Must use professional discretion with sensitive, timely, and confidential policy or political information.
– Ability to work under pressure and manage time effectively.
– Expert research, writing, analytical, and persuasive communication skills.
– Experience presenting before large audiences.
– Strong organizational and planning skills; ability to work effectively at a fast pace in a cross‑functional environment.
– Ability to travel to member meetings to support ADEA events as needed, including some weekends.
– Ability to work in a hybrid environment; current expectation is on‑site Monday–Thursday at ADEA’s Washington, DC office, with remote work on Fridays.

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# Compensation & Benefits

This position’s salary range is **$130,000 to $143,000**.

In addition to a purposeful mission, ADEA offers a collaborative team environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits, including:

– Health, vision, dental, and life insurance
– Wellness benefits
– 35‑hour work week
– Generous paid leave
– 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution

The office is located in Washington, DC’s Downtown East End neighborhood, known for shopping, dining, and entertainment, and is conveniently located across from the Metro Center station.

For more information and to apply online, visit **[www.adea.org]**.

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# About ADEA

The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is *The Voice of Dental Education*. Its members include:

– All 78 U.S. and Canadian dental schools
– Over 800 allied and advanced dental education programs
– 66 corporations
– More than 20,000 individuals

ADEA’s mission is to develop an inclusive, future‑ready oral health workforce prepared to improve the health of all people and communities through leadership, education, and collaboration.

ADEA’s activities include research, advocacy, faculty development, meetings, communications, and management of key admissions services such as ADEA AADSAS, ADEA PASS, ADEA DHCAS, and ADEA CAAPID.

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# Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

ADEA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Its EEO policy prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, matriculation, veteran status, union affiliation, disability, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, or any other legally protected characteristic in accordance with federal or local law.

EEO applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, development, promotion, termination, compensation, and benefits.

Learn more here