• Job Description

  Req#: JR-016592

  The salary range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

  At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
  

  Pay Range: $114,800.00 - $178,000.00

  
  If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

  Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

  Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

  • Direct regional level lobbying efforts on behalf of the University.
  • Develop, strengthen, and maintain relationships with elected officials, policy makers, and leaders of appropriate state agencies.
  • Monitor legislation and policy activities, update and advise University partners about policy proposals and actions, and work with relevant University teams to analyze potential impacts on the University.
  • Serve as the primary representative in managing, and working with, consultants contracted by the University to support its initiatives in the relevant region of leadership.
  • Plan and implement state-level events and other activities to support the University’s government relations goals, such as hill days, town halls, affiliate visits, and meetings.
  • Serve as the University’s representative to relevant associations and policy bodies, such as legislative, governor, and lieutenant governor associations, economic development groups, and related public-private partnership efforts.
  • Participate in the development of a wide range of materials in support of the University’s government relations agenda, such as talking points, legislative summaries, factsheets, testimony, reports, and letters.
  • Be an inspiring and motivational leader for individuals at all levels, and in all functions of the University. Initiate education and training opportunities to engage staff in and to demystify the legislative process.
  • Authentically reflect and portray the mission of WGU. Become a reliable subject matter expert on student success, disruptive innovation, and competency-based education.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

  Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

  • Demonstrated and documented record of accomplishment in developing intergovernmental relationships and pursuing opportunities to enhance the University’s offerings and positioning in higher education.
  • Execution- and Results-oriented – focused on results, not just activity.
  • Exceptional skill and demonstrated success in establishing and improving governmental relationships and opportunity in a higher education leadership role.
  • Self-directs with a strong bias for action, leads to improvement of performance and opportunities for our students and the University.
  • Applies broad strategic direction, with university-wide impact, and in a distributed organization context.
  • Operates confidently under pressure, maintains a positive attitude despite adversity, and bounces back from obstacles and setbacks while growing from hardship and negative experiences.
  • Works effectively across functions, internalizing their motivations and priorities, and energizing others’ engagement in devising solutions and driving execution; a personal style that favors inquiry over advocacy, listening over speaking.
  • Collaborates to form bold visions, navigates the political environment, and delivers results; operates with a mission-driven mindset to expand access to education for all students.
  • Exceptional and persuasive communication skills, oral and written, in addressing external and internal audiences; while successfully balancing the appropriate levels of decorum and respect for office holders when asserting the positions of the University, necessary to advance student opportunity.
  • Deals effectively with paradox; exhibits good instincts, while willing to make tough calls, with some degree of adaptability.

  Job Qualifications:

  Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field.
  • 10 or more years of relevant experience in government relations and public policy
  • 5 or more years of managing successful multi-state lobbying initiatives preferred, with experience in higher education and academic operations highly desired.
  • Experience working in remote management environment.
  • Demonstrated expertise in defining performance metrics for external partnerships.
  • Ability to travel.
  • Schedule flexibility to include evenings and weekends.
  • Knowledge of project management desirable
  • Preferred to be located in the Northeast

  Physical Requirements:

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

  Physical Requirements:

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

  #DEI

  #LI-TK1

  
  As an equal opportunity employer, WGU recognizes that our strength lies in our people. We are committed to diversity.

• About the company

  Western Governors University is a private, nonprofit online university based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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