AVP Government & Community Affairs

AVP Government & Community Affairs

Hiring Department

The University of Texas Permian Basin welcomes applications for the position of AVP for Government & Community Affairs

Salary Range

Commensurate with experience

Essential Functions

The Assistant Vice President for Governmental Relations serves as a senior advisor and strategic leader for the University, advancing legislative, governmental, public policy, community engagement, and regional partnership priorities that support the institution's mission and long-term impact. Reporting to and working closely with the President, executive leadership, and institutional stakeholders, this position serves as a primary liaison to the Texas Legislature, executive branch agencies, the Legislative Budget Board, federal and local governmental entities, civic and community organizations, business partners, economic development groups, and other external stakeholders.

The Assistant Vice President develops and implements strategies that strengthen institutional relationships, advance state and federal funding priorities, support higher education policy initiatives, promote workforce and economic development, and enhance the University's role, reputation, and impact throughout the Permian Basin and West Texas region. This role provides leadership in governmental affairs, policy analysis, advocacy, strategic communications, public-private partnerships, and external engagement while collaborating across academic, administrative, business affairs, legal, compliance, facilities, and operational divisions to support institutional initiatives and strategic priorities.

1. Lead the development, coordination, and execution of comprehensive state and federal legislative strategies that advance institutional priorities in higher education, research, healthcare, workforce development, economic impact, student success, campus growth, and regional service.

2. Serve as the University's primary liaison to local, state, and federal government officials, including the Texas Legislature, executive branch agencies, the Legislative Budget Board, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, congressional offices, municipal and county governments, and related governmental entities.

3. Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with elected and appointed officials, policymakers, agency leaders, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, public interest groups, business partners, and community stakeholders.

4. Advise the President and executive leadership on legislative, regulatory, political, governmental, budgetary, operational, academic, healthcare, research, workforce, community, and student-centered matters affecting the University.

5. Monitor legislative activity, regulatory developments, appropriations processes, state and federal budget matters, higher education policy initiatives, and emerging political, economic, and regulatory trends; analyze and communicate the impact of proposed legislation and policies on institutional operations and strategic priorities.

6. Develop and manage strategies designed to engage elected officials, governmental agencies, community leaders, and external partners to support institutional initiatives, funding priorities, public-private partnerships, and regional impact.

7. Prepare policy analyses, briefing materials, testimony, legislative reports, talking points, official responses, and related communications for the President, executive leadership, legislative offices, governmental agencies, and external stakeholders.

8. Lead and coordinate institutional responses to requests, inquiries, and information needs from governmental officials, agencies, legislative offices, regulatory entities, and external partners.

9. Support institutional appropriations requests, capital funding initiatives, public financing strategies, campus development priorities, infrastructure needs, and other funding opportunities in coordination with executive, financial, facilities, and operational leadership.

10. Collaborate with Business Affairs, Finance, Legal Affairs, Compliance, Facilities, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and other institutional divisions on legislative and regulatory matters affecting institutional operations, procurement, infrastructure, capital projects, risk management, administrative services, and strategic initiatives.

11. Represent the University in legislative hearings, policy forums, stakeholder meetings, professional associations, campus visits, public engagement activities, and external events in support of UTPB's priorities.

12. Develop and manage strategic engagement opportunities for elected officials, governmental stakeholders, community leaders, and external partners, including campus visits, legislative briefings, institutional events, and regional partnership meetings.

13. Coordinate governmental and community engagement efforts related to economic development, workforce initiatives, public infrastructure, regional partnerships, and institutional growth throughout the Permian Basin and West Texas region.

14. Ensure governmental relations activities are conducted in alignment with applicable federal and state lobbying, ethics, records, compliance, and reporting expectations.

15. Maintain organized records related to governmental engagement, legislative priorities, funding requests, stakeholder contacts, official responses, briefing materials, and other work products.

16. Provide leadership and oversight for special initiatives, task forces, committees, and strategic projects as assigned by the President or executive leadership.

17. Maintain expertise in governmental relations, public policy, regulatory affairs, higher education governance, state fiscal review, and legislative developments through ongoing professional engagement and monitoring of best practices.

18. The job description is not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, political science, higher education administration, communications, law, business administration, or a related field.

2. Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental relations, legislative affairs, public administration, public policy, higher education policy, community relations, or a related field.

3. Demonstrated experience working with legislative bodies, executive agencies, governmental offices, academic institutions, public-sector organizations, or comparable external stakeholder groups.

4. Demonstrated knowledge of Texas legislative processes, public policy processes, government operations, and higher education governance.

5. Experience preparing briefings, policy analyses, reports, testimony, official correspondence, presentations, or related executive-level communication materials.

6. Ability to travel and perform duties away from campus as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master's degree or terminal degree in public policy, public administration, education, law, political science, higher education administration, business administration, or a related field.

2. Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in governmental relations, legislative affairs, public policy, higher education, public administration, community engagement, or related external affairs work.

3. Experience in a university system, institution of higher education, state agency, legislative office, public policy organization, or comparable public-sector environment.

4. Working knowledge of State of Texas government, the State Fiscal Review process, higher education appropriations, and Texas higher education governance.

5. Experience supporting state or federal appropriations requests, public funding priorities, capital funding initiatives, economic development projects, public-private partnerships, or regional workforce initiatives.

6. Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Familiarity with PeopleSoft or other enterprise administrative systems is preferred.

Additional Information

Required Application Materials

1. Cover Letter

2. Resume

3. List of References

4. Transcripts (Preferred)

5. Letters of Recommendation (Preferred)

Conditions of Employment

1. The job description is not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor.

2. Employment is subject to an introductory period to monitor employee performance.

3. Once hired, the prospective employee must present documentation within three (3) days of the hire date to establish their identity and employment eligibility as required by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Applicants must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire. UTPB participates in e-Verify.

4. Employees must be able and willing to travel and perform duties away from campus as necessary and must be able to operate a licensed motor vehicle, have access to a dependable motor vehicle, and possess a valid state driver's license. Must have and maintain a satisfactory driver's record.

5. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.

6. UT Permian Basin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Schedule

Generally, the normal work hours for the university are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 - 5:30 pm; Friday, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm with a one-hour lunch. The individual holding this position may need to be available early morning, evening, and on weekends to meet the needs of the department. Hours worked may differ with some departments.

Standard Working Conditions

1. Able to lift various materials up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis.

2. Able to bend, crouch, and reach continuously.

3. Physically able remain seated, frequently to continuously.

4. Able to remain standing up to 15% of the time.

5. Possesses dexterity abilities required to perform job duties including extensive keyboard work, operating office equipment, performing filing, and other job-related responsibilities that include extensive wrist and hand movement.

6. Standard working conditions may differ depending on department and occupation

University Benefits

1. UT Permian Basin offers an excellent compensation package including heath, retirement, & fringe benefits for eligible employees.

2. Coverage includes medical, prescriptions, life insurance, AD&D, and matching retirement provided by UTPB.

3. You may also be eligible to add dental, vision, family coverage, & flex-spending accounts, additional retirement, and a few other coverages as options too.

4. Fringe benefits include tuition reimbursement (after one year of service), wellness breaks, employee assistant program (EAP), and meal deals, among other perks and discounts!

5. Our benefits package, along with an ample leave policy, make for a great total compensation package.

About the University

The University of Texas Permian Basin is located in Odessa, Texas. It was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969 and founded in 1973. The Permian Basin is one of the fastest-growing, culturally vibrant, economically invigorated regions of the country - full of industry, culture, and wide-open spaces. At the academic heart of this area sits The University of Texas Permian Basin - which every year, delivers smart, savvy leaders across the U.S.

As a regional, comprehensive institution, The University of Texas Permian Basin serves a diverse community of students from the region, the state, and beyond. Through excellence in student-centered teaching, learning, research, and public service, the University cultivates engaged citizens and impacts lives while advancing the technology and public interests of West Texas.

Our vision is that the University of Texas Permian Basin will be an innovative, responsive university that thinks large and lives local. We will lead in advancing education, research, economic competitiveness, and cultural enrichment.

Visit our social media sites below for more information.

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Thank you for your consideration in today's job market. We look forward to connecting with you more in the future.

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