Senior Executive Director of State Government Relations

Overview

USC is seeking a Senior Executive Director, State Government Relations to join the University Relations department within the state governments relations team. Reporting to the Vice President for State Government Relations, this multifaceted role will be responsible for advancing the university’s public affairs in the State Capitol of California. This includes comprehensive issues management and building and strengthening relationships with the legislature, statewide elected leaders, and key agencies to ensure that USC is effectively represented.

The role is based full-time in Sacramento, California.

USC University Relations (UR) advances the university’s mission and USC’s role as an anchor institution. The department’s scope includes government relations, community partnerships, civic engagement, local mall business and non-profit support USC s Head Start early childhood education centers, pre-K to career neighborhood education programs, and Classical California - the nation s largest classical music provider.

• Serve as USC’s day-to-day representative in the State Capitol including as a registered lobbyist. Develop and maintain positive relationships with public officials, staff, and partners.
• Advise the Vice President and other senior university leaders on effective strategies and advocacy that advance USC’s higher education and research missions.
• Manage state issues including proactively identifying, analyzing, and monitoring legislation and policies that impact the university and higher education.
• Prepare regular and timely briefings, policy updates and presentations on key issues.
• Represent USC with membership and trade associations on state-related matters.
• Develop advocacy and issues-related programming that amplifies USC in Sacramento. This includes managing the USC Trojan Caucus and supporting other USC events in Sacramento.
• Serve as a resource and partner to campus stakeholders including senior leadership, deans, faculty, staff, and students. This includes during visits to Sacramento.
• Staff internal USC policy working groups on issues impacting the university.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on the local, federal, and health government relations teams and other University Relations colleagues on matters of shared interest.

• Master’s degree or professional degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience as substitute for minimum education
• Minimum of seven (7) years within state government relations, legislative or public affairs management or equivalent experience, preferably in Sacramento.

• 10 years of experience within state government relations, legislative or public affairs management.
• Thorough understanding of the California legislative and budgetary process.
• Demonstrated strategic advocacy experience including successfully managing legislative, regulatory, and/or other state policy related initiatives.
• Ability to evaluate complex problems and emerging policy issues, develop actionable strategies and then operationalize into successful action plans and outcomes.
• Ability to think broadly across issue areas and develop action plans that also integrate communications and civic engagement strategies.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time management ability.
• Excellent written and verbal communications including comfortable with public speaking and clearly presenting complex policy topics to various audiences.
• Working knowledge of the higher education area including challenges, and opportunities. Specific knowledge of state policy issues impacting higher education.
• Proven, positive relationship-building and inter-personal collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and part of a coalition. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and across a complex institution.
• Experience with political compliance and reporting.
• Consistent exercise of sound judgment and discretion in matters of significance.
• Uncompromising ethics and integrity.
• Personal interest in and commitment to higher education and the success of the students, faculty, and researchers.
• Quarterly travel to Los Angeles for campus…