JOIN OUR TEAM AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION!

At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado, we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our office is committed to fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission and purpose.
By joining our team, you’ll have a direct impact on shaping the future of higher education. In addition to the Office of the Board of Regents, the University of Colorado’s system administration includes 19 units that provide essential services to CU’s campuses in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as the Office of the President. While not a part of any one campus, we are proud to serve in the centralized office for the University system. Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education, groundbreaking research, and valuable service to our communities.
We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiences and perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we do and the strategic outcomes we pursue. If you’re passionate about making a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supporting a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part of our journey. Learn more about CU System Administration.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Advisor for State Relations and Public Policy is a member of the Office of Government Relations State Relations team and is a lobbyist for the University at the state capitol. As directed by the Senior Associate Vice President for State Relations (SAVP) the position lobbies on state policy issues of impact and is the lead on higher education policy issues for the CU System and campuses. The Senior Advisor for State Relations and Public Policy works with the SVP and SAVP of State Relations to develop and execute the annual legislative agenda for the university. This position develops and maintains strategic relationships with executive and legislative branch policymakers, lobbyists and other advocates. It also develops and maintains strong relationships with leadership and other members of the university community.
The Senior Advisor for State Relations and Public Policy is tasked with being the main state relations point of contact for two of the CU campuses. In this capacity, the Senior Advisor for State Relations and Public Policy develops, coordinates, and maintains necessary relationships on the on campuses as well as develops strategy to assist in attaining the University’s legislative goals. Areas of policy expertise include a key focus on academic affairs; admissions, enrollment policy; research funding; Title IX; teacher preparation; cyber security; and others as assigned. The Senior Advisor for State Relations and Public Policy assists with leading the bi-weekly legislative strategy meetings and leadership conference calls during the legislative session and participates in year-round meetings with campus stakeholders and leadership on campus engagement efforts. The Senior Advisor for State Relations and Public Policy will also work in tandem and coordination with the additional Senior Advisor for State Relations and Public Policy on staff who will represent CU’s other two campuses and lobby at the capitol.
This position reports to the SAVP of State Relations and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified System.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Seven (7) years’ professional experience, as stated above
• Two (2) years’ experience in a team lead or supervisory role, as indicated above
• Certifications (if applicable)
• Lobbying experience at the Colorado State Legislature
• Mediation experience
• Experience in developing or assessing higher education policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

To be successful in this position, candidates will need the following:

• Knowledge of the business and organizational structure of CU;
• Knowledge of policy development processes and activities, including agenda setting, policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation;
• Knowledge of governmental institutions, structures, systems, and processes;
• 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 and clearly;
• Computer skills, including the ability to utilize 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 and deadlines, manage appointments, create schedules, coordinate and facilitate meetings, and make decisions;
• Research skills, including the ability to utilize 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 self-start and take initiative in completing daily tasks and special projects;
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages
• Ability to handle and maintain sensitive and confidential material;
• Ability to work under pressure, manage 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, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship;
• Ability to establish and maintain partnerships 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.
• Interest in advancing the University of Colorado and Colorado higher education
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

• Lobbying at the state capitol on a day-to-day basis during the legislative session;
• Lead lobbyist for higher education issues and lobbies additional legislation of impact to the university and assigned campuses under the direction of the SAVP;
• State relations engagement lead for two of the CU campuses, with additional campus duties as assigned;
• As campus lead, develops strategic policy initiatives, including strategy, legislation and promotion of university efforts as well as opportunities for campus engagement with elected officials;
• Meets regularly with assigned campuses to develop strategy, understand campus needs and advise campus on legislative matters;
• Initiates and attends internal tours with constituency groups for legislative cultivation;
• Maintains relationships with state elected officials, executive and legislative staff, lobbyists, and related business, nonprofit and association individuals;
• As directed by the SVP and SAVP, represents OGR State Relations team at system and campus meetings including with System leadership, Chancellor’s cabinet, strategic Dean and Director and meetings with individual leaders;
• Develops legislative fact sheets, draft legislation, internal and external reports, letters and communications to elected officials;
• Reviews and conducts research on proposed and introduced legislation and determines impact to the university;
• Assists the SAVP of State Relations and works with the Director of State Relations to facilitate bill tracking and bill distribution for CU System and campuses during legislative session;
• Advises key faculty members, staff and students across the CU system and campuses on key government relations policy initiatives and opportunities for engagement;
• As needed, coordinates with CU System AVP of Engagement and campus outreach personnel on statewide outreach efforts that advance state legislative priorities and relationship cultivation;
• Represents state team on outreach tours with university officials; events; meetings; and conferences at the request of the SAVP of State Relations;
• Works with system and campus external affairs and communication officials to develop strategy and messaging around state legislation;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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)
• Five (5) years’ professional experience working in areas related to higher education and state government
• One (1) year of experience in a team lead, policy lead or supervisory role, which may include assigning and reviewing the work of others, providing guidance to internal and external team members, and/or assisting management with performance reviews
• Travel and schedule requirements (if applicable)