Senior Director, Federal Government Relations

GOVT REL SPEC 4 (000223)

UCPath Position ID: MI-DPT407500-JC000223-PD168860

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

806094

Approved Date:

4/2/2025 3:00:31 PM

Date Last Edited:

4/2/2025 3:00:28 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

11/1/2023

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

6300O

Organization:

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Division Code:

6310D

Division:

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIV

Department:

407500 - GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

MI-DPT407500-JC000223-PD168860

Position Description ID

168860

UC Payroll Title:

GOVT REL SPEC 4 (000223)

Business Title:

Senior Director, Federal Government Relations

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 25

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40142661

Reports to Payroll Title:

ALUMNI EXTERNAL REL MGR 4

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40037218

Department Head Payroll Title:

VC DEV AND UNIV REL

DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent establishes procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives in a broad area of work. Only the final results of work done are typically reviewed. Incumbent typically develops procedures within the limits of established policy guidelines.

004722

Blank Assistant 3

1.0

POSITION SUMMARY

As Senior Director of Federal Relations, you will have a significant impact in UCLA's Government and Community Relations (GCR) work as you lead efforts toward more purposeful, strategic and positive engagement between UCLA and government officials at federal level. As Senior Director and a partner to the Associate Vice Chancellor, you will be responsible for cultivating a broad range of relationships aligned with the university's core mission of serving society through education, research and partnerships. You will collaborate and work closely with the other Senior Director of Federal Relations and other colleagues in GCR. Within UCLA's External Affairs organization, UCLA's Federal Government Relations (FGR) unit within the Office of Government and Community Relations helps represent the chancellor and the university in engaging with members of Congress and their staffs, the White House, and federal executive branch agencies.  The unit promotes UCLA's academic, research, and public service missions in an effort to build federal support for campus programs and activities. FGR provides support to both the campus and to the University of California's FGR office in Washington, DC.

As Senior Director of  Federal Relations, you will serve as an advocate for the university at the federal government level - identifying, building, nurturing and maintaining effective relationships with California's federal legislators, key committees and caucuses, federal agencies, officials and related higher education associations and professional societies. You will be responsible for maintaining relationships to improve outreach and advocacy efforts that increase support for UCLA and bring funding and visibility to key issues the FGR program covers. This Senior Director position will serve as the university's liaison to Capitol Hill and the Executive Branch for federal policy and funding concerning an assigned variety of areas  among other issues. As Senior Director, you will serve as a liaison with federal policymakers, federal science agencies and other relevant federal departments, and will support  and advise senior campus administrators, faculty, students, and staff as they interact with federal officials. As Senior Director of Federal Relations, you may be called upon by other campus units for matters regarding federal relations. Drawing upon your strong leadership experience, passion for advocacy and strategic engagement abilities, you will grow and expand our efforts by spearheading a wide range of federal relations programs, initiatives and issues. As a valued member of our team, you will be given the guidance, inspiration and resources to excel in a supportive environment via the many professional growth opportunities we offer staff at UCLA.

**Please note, this is a hybrid position and can be based in Los Angeles or Washington, DC. **

Outreach and Engagement

1. In collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor and other campus leadership, develop and maintain a strong and comprehensive federal government outreach and engagement strategy with respect to specific areas as designated and other key issues; provide management of the federal relations programs, functions and responsibilities of the unit.

2. Cultivate and maintain strong, positive relationships for UCLA with federal government officials in Washington, DC and Los Angeles and the key stakeholders they work with.

3. Build strong relationships with relevant Congressional committees and caucuses.

4. Proactively build and maintain positive relationships and communications with federal agency officials.

40%

5. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with those within university associations, assigned coalitions, and other relevant professional societies to gain insight and understanding of challenges and issues facing the broader public research university community faces in relation to federal relations.

6. Develop and maintain strong partnerships with appropriate community stakeholders on issues where UCLA can serve as a resource for analysis and resolution.

7. Direct the activities of volunteer efforts targeted at federal elected officials and their staff.

0%

Program Planning and Management

1. Partner closely with the other Senior Director of Federal Relations and the Associate Vice Chancellor to provide thorough, strategic coverage of UCLA’s interests with the federal government.

2. Provide advice and counsel to the Associate Vice Chancellor and campus administration as appropriate on strategies to achieve UCLA goals through the management and expansion of a cohesive and comprehensive federal relations program.

3. Design, develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans, programs, events, and activities, working closely with key stakeholders on campus to expand and enhance governmental partnerships.

4. Development and implement strategies to preserve and increase ULCA’s support and funding at the federal level.

25%

5. Monitor and analyze legislative issues, current/emerging political trends/issues related to research and science impacting UCLA to protect campus interests; provide policy advice/strategies to internal/external offices, administrators and other constituents on federal legislative/regulatory issues as appropriate.

6. Identify, monitor and communicate federal relations issues impacting other GCR units; develop responses, identify solutions and/or plans of actions regarding interrelated federal, state, local and community issues impacting UCLA.

7. Provide conceptual/analytical support to Associate VC in the administration and monitoring of the unit’s programs/activities; in collaboration with administrative staff, develop, monitor and oversee operational and personnel budgets.

0%

8. Oversee the development, management and implementation of federal relations advocacy events, programs and initiatives that reflect university priorities and increase support for UCLA among key constituents.

9. Develop and maintain in-depth expertise and knowledge of departments and awareness of UCLA initiatives to be well positioned as an advocate for federal government and campus relations.

10. Assist in identification, cultivation, motivation and guidance of key influential volunteers (alumni, business leaders and donors) for advocacy efforts.

0%

11. Serve as campus liaison to UC Federal Governmental Relations, to key legislators and staff in Washington, D.C. and their respective districts and respond to special requests from federal legislators, agency representatives and the Executive Branch as applicable.

12. Provide connection to Washington, D.C. alumni with key relationships and expertise.

0%

Issues Managment

1. Monitor and analyze federal regulatory and legislative issues and provide advice to senior management and other high-level campus executives on appropriate strategies to achieve UCLA goals.

2. Assist in development of short- and long-range strategies to manage critical federal government issues impacting campus interests and implement strategies at the federal level.

3. Provide expertise in addressing emerging federal government issues that impact the campus.

25%

Staff Supervision/ Operations

1. Hire, train and directly supervise staff as assigned, providing oversight of daily activities.

2. Assist Associate Vice Chancellor in overall operations of unit management, budget etc. as appropriate.

10%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master's Degree

Preferred

Minimum of ten years of experience in a Congressional office, federal government agency, or government relations role, including minimum five years of experience on Capitol Hill. 

Required

Demonstrated experience managing a comprehensive federal government relations program or the equivalent.

Required

Demonstrated experience and success in design and execution of short- and long-term plans

to achieve organizational goals with strength in conceiving, assessing, and integrating innovative and effective programs with other existing activities to support overall organizational goals.

Required

Experience working with federal elected officials and their staff, federal funding agency leadership and their staffs and others within related federal offices, programs and agencies.

Required

Experience in and/or strong ability to identify, cultivate and engage volunteers, board development and management in public and/or non-profit entities.

Required

Understanding of and experience thriving in large, complex, hierarchical environments, preferably in a higher education setting. 

Required

Demonstrated experience in planning and execution of successful events.

Required

Strong government relations skills, with an emphasis on federal government including strategic communications, issues management and public affairs skills.

Required

Highly organized and detail oriented with strong time and project management skills to comprehensively oversee multi-functional projects with collaborators who are not direct reports; ability to be resourceful, implement and follow through.

Required

Leadership skills to organize, direct, motivate and evaluate staff and volunteers; ability to advise, counsel and provide constructive feedback for effective execution of work to accomplish unit goals.

Required

Well-developed interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience building strong and enduring relationships between and among campus stakeholders; ability to work in a cooperative and respectful manner with a variety of constituencies with multiple interests and build consensus to achieve successful outcomes.

Required

Ability to perform complex data analysis using advanced quantitative reasoning. Superior critical thinking skills and ability to frame complex issues and problems to seek optimal solutions that serve the best interests of the organization and institution.

Required

Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking, coaching, and persuasive communication techniques and approaches.

Required

Political acumen, tact and impeccable integrity with ability to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and address, resolve and /or mitigate problems or issues.

Required

Ability to maintain confidentiality in the handling and maintenance of sensitive information.

Required

Engaged, focused and goal oriented with a high level of initiative and energy; resilient with ability to maintain an optimistic outlook.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Non-University Setting(s)

Location:

TBD

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical Skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.