Vice President of Congressional & Federal Relations

### Job Description

#### Career Summary

The incumbent serves as part of an executive team with the President & CEO and the Vice President of Finance and Administration, to address matters relating to the management of the organization. The successful candidate, with President and CEO, will lead and manage AIHEC’s advocacy programs across Congress and the administration. This person will be responsible for developing and implementing AIHEC’s policy agenda.

#### Essential Functions:

– Work with the President & CEO and Board to develop and implement a proactive agenda for Congress, the administration, and private sector.
– Heighten the profile of the TCUs both in government entities and the Washington, DC higher education community to cultivate new allies and avenues of support for AIHEC and its members.
– Seek increased annual federal budget requests and appropriations for TCU federal programs.
– Lead in preparation for and execution of the organization’s annual Legislative Summit with TCU presidents, students, and others, and other Capitol Hill/federal agency meetings and events.
– Oversee contract(s) and coordinate legislative agenda with outside advocacy consultant(s).
– Analyze existing and proposed legislation to determine possible impacts on AIHEC member institutions, identify opportunities for TCU inclusion, detect potential statutory obstacles and means to their removal, and seek additional opportunities for resources for TCUs.
– Maintain communication with AIHEC board to update membership on activities in Congress, the administration, legislative processes, and progress on legislative initiatives.
– Work with the various federal departments and agencies to maximize input and participation by AIHEC institutions in new and existing federal programs, particularly in accordance with any standing executive order impacting TCUs.
– Ensure inclusion of AIHEC institutions in the development and implementation of new federal initiatives in the areas of higher education and economic development.
– Direct the development and production of all congressional testimony and supporting documents aimed at strengthening the position of AIHEC member institutions on Capitol Hill and throughout the federal department and agencies. These documents should be the product of a close working relationship with the President & CEO, with assistance from AIHEC’s contracted consultants, and the AIHEC research and policy associate.
– Ensure proper and timely submission of quarterly and biannual reports to Congress required under the Lobbying Disclosure Act.
– Serve as lead staff in coordinating legislative initiatives with the national partners and Tribal organizations.
– Serve as staff liaison to standing committee(s) of the board of directors.
– Responsible for developing and executing the Government Affairs budget.

### Success Profile Job Description

#### Required Education, Experience and Attributes (minimum requirements):

– Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience; a law or advanced degree preferred.
– Successful political strategist with minimum 10 years of advocacy experience with proven track record of success in congressional and executive branch.
– Minimum 5 years of management experience, including ability to manage people, programs, and projects.
– Proven ability to lead complex functional area.
– Proven track record of leading, influencing, and managing a team and stakeholders through change and growth.
– Expert knowledge of congressional and executive branch protocols and processes.
– Demonstrated experience and strong knowledge of American Indian/Alaskan Native issues.
– Demonstrated ability to clearly present information in written and oral communications with Members of Congress, congressional staff, executive agencies, and the White House.
– Strong ability to read, analyze and interpret proposed and enacted legislation and federal regulations.
– Ability to work effectively both independently and as a team.
– Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
– Any other duties needed to help drive to our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by AIHEC’s values.

#### Supervisory

Oversees and directs the workflow of the department Legislative Associate and State Policy Analyst.

#### Work Location

This position is based out of the Washington, DC region, approved for telework, remote with routine in-person activities in Washington, DC.

#### Physical Requirements

Mental acuity, standing, talking, walking for sustained periods of time required. Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

### Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make an organization flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

### Total Rewards Package

At AIHEC, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes a competitive base salary, generous paid time off policy, the latest technology, and tools to do your best work, merit-based or annual cost of living increases, bonus opportunities, and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of gratuitous coverage in the most comprehensive insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan with 6% employer matching, an employee assistance program with mental wellness counseling benefits, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

### Important Notes:

You must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. Final employment offers are contingent upon a Final Candidate’s successful completion of a Background Verification, and a determination by the University that the information derived from the Background Verification does not disqualify the individual.

### Accessibility

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Commonwealth of Virginia where the agency is headquartered, it is the absolute pleasure of AIHEC to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or candidate with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship for AIHEC. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our People and Culture Director Kea Magoh at [email protected] or (703) 504-9838.

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