To apply, please go to: https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=29837

Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• At the direction of the Sr VP of External Relations and Strategy and collaborating with the federal relations team, campus contacts and system leadership, develop federal policy and strategic initiatives for the entire university system to promote the university’s interests and strategic initiatives;
• Provides strategic advice to Sr VP of External Relations and Strategy on university matters related to federal relations.
• Serves as an authority, or secures expertise, on policy areas impacting higher education at the federal level;
• Maintains relationships and communicates directly with the university partners on issues pertaining to federal relations;
• Monitors and tracks federal activities that directly impact the CU System and its four campuses;
• Provides periodic briefings for university leadership as needed;
• Serves as chief federal lobbyist for CU Denver and UCCS and communicates university positions relative to national policies;
• Initiates and participates in and briefs campus cabinet meetings, as well as System and Executive team meetings as needed;
• Coordinates with State OGR as needed ;
• Working with campus representatives, coordinates and staffs federal relations on-campus meetings, tours, and events for all four CU campuses, with the assistance of the Federal OGR team;
• Staffs CU System, CU Denver and UCCS leadership, faculty and staff on Hill and agency visits in Washington, DC as needed;
• Collaborates on key federal relationships in Washington, D.C. as well as in Colorado, and among campuses;
• Collaborates with Federal OGR team to assist faculty and staff in gathering letters of support on grants and nominations to national boards;
• Responds to Congressional requests for constituent casework;
• Researches, creates, and develops fact sheets and background materials on federal issues as needed;
• Prepares thank you letters for meetings, tours, and for signing on to federal legislation;
• Attends events on all four CU campuses as needed;
• Complies with all requirements of the Federal lobbying registration process;

Minimum Qualifications:

Please ensure your resume includes any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against these qualifications. You must meet all minimum requirements listed at the time of application to be considered for this role.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis).
• Six (6) years’ professional experience working in government, public relations, civic engagement, external affairs, and/or field related to the work performed, which includes:
  • Three (3) years’ experience working in areas related to congressional and federal affairs
  • Experience developing strategies and analyzing public policy.
  • Experience analyzing complex higher education policies and research information and communicating complex policies to federal policy makers and other external groups.
• Experience working in a leadership capacity, which includes working with high-level leaders and other internal and external partners.
• Local, regional, and national travel to CU campuses and CU’s Washington, D.C. offices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in political science, public relations, communications, or field of study related to the work performed.
• Eight (8) years’ professional experience working in government, public relations, civic engagement, external affairs, and/or field related to the work performed, which may include:
  • Five (5) years’ experience working in or with government, institution of higher education, or non-profit organization
  • Experience working in a leadership capacity, which may include working with high-level leaders and other partners.
• Interest in advancing the University of Colorado and Colorado higher education

• Knowledge of policy development processes and activities, including agenda setting, policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation
• Knowledge of governmental institutions, structures, systems, and processes
• Knowledge of developing or assessing higher education policy
• Knowledge of higher education and/or working in a setting of a similar size and scope to the University of Colorado,
• Negotiation skills, including the ability to listen, build rapport, solve problems, make decisions, be assertive, and deal with difficult situations
• Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret what others are saying and convey messages, information, concepts, and details accurately, clearly and timely
• Computer skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and learn and experiment with new software and systems
• Organizational skills, including the ability to set and meet goals,, manage appointments, create schedules, coordinate and facilitate meetings, and make decisions inclusively
• Research skills, including the ability to use a variety of tools to ask questions, gather information, and review, analyze, and interpret data
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to examine and summarize data and trends in order to resolve issues and produce results
• Ability to communicate effectively and work with diverse team members.
• Ability to self-start and take initiative in completing daily tasks and special projects
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from a diverse group of backgrounds, cultures, and ages
• Ability to handle and maintain sensitive and confidential material
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent and competing tasks and responsibilities, and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining personal effectiveness
• Ability to follow and uphold ethical guidelines, standards, and integrity and adhere to core character values of trustworthiness, respect, dependability, responsibility, and fairness,
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with a variety of internal and external constituencies
• Ability to promote the advancement of the University of Colorado and Colorado higher education and academic research
• Ability to navigate a complex political environment, and a high level of comfort working with various elected officials, their staff and top University officials.