Director of State Relations and Advocacy

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Director of State Relations and Advocacy

Employee Classification: Executive/Admin & Managerial

Institution:  System Office

Department: Government and Public Relations, Office of External Affairs

Campus Location: Tennessee Board of Regents System Office

Job Summary

The Director of State Relations and Advocacy will support and execute the Tennessee Board of Regents’ state legislative and advocacy strategy under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Government and Public Relations. Working closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, the Director will implement advocacy plans, build and sustain relationships with members of the Tennessee General Assembly, state officials, agency partners, and other policy stakeholders, and advance the System’s established budget, policy, workforce development, and student success priorities.

The Director will carry out legislative outreach and engagement strategies; coordinate meetings, briefings, materials, and communications; and represent TBR in meetings, hearings, events, and other public-policy settings, as assigned. In partnership with the Director of Legislation, the Director will use legislative monitoring and analysis to inform timely advocacy and stakeholder-engagement activities and will help communicate the potential impact of legislative activity on the TBR System.

The Director will coordinate and manage the planning and execution of TBR’s annual Day on the Hill event, including engagement with colleges, legislators, partners, and internal departments. The position will also support other strategic government relations events, stakeholder engagement efforts, and legislative communications throughout the year.

This position serves in a cross-functional role with the other directors in the Department of Government and Public Relations.

Job Duties

• 30% - Legislative Liaison Under the direction of the AVC for Government and Public Relations and EVC for External Affairs, represent TBR at legislative committee meetings, hearings, and events. Execute outreach and advocacy plans with members of the General Assembly, state officials, and other policy stakeholders; facilitate communication between TBR leadership and state government officials; respond to legislative information requests; and prepare talking points, background materials, and policy messages tailored to assigned audiences. Coordinate pre-meetings with key legislators in advance of TBR’s annual legislative budget hearings and other priority legislative engagements. - (Essential)
• 25% - Legislation Monitoring In coordination with the Director of Legislation, monitor proposed state legislation affecting TBR’s community and technical colleges and assess legislative schedules, committee calendars, and other governmental meetings to support strategic engagement. Maintain legislative tracking systems; prepare bill summaries and background materials; identify items requiring advocacy outreach or further review; and support weekly bill-review meetings. - (Essential)
• 15% - Legislative Strategy Support the implementation of TBR’s annual legislative agenda and budget priorities by coordinating advocacy activities, legislative outreach, stakeholder communications, and follow-up. Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Department of Government and Public Relations and other TBR departments to ensure advocacy activities align with the System’s broader communications and public-policy strategy. - (Essential)
• 15% - Relationship Building Build and maintain productive relationships with legislators, legislative staff, state officials, college administrators, and other external stakeholders in support of TBR’s established legislative and advocacy priorities. Travel to legislative districts, TBR institutions, and other locations across the state to support relationship-building and advocacy efforts. - (Essential)
• 10% - Event Planning Coordinate and manage the planning and execution of TBR’s annual Day on the Hill, including engagement with colleges, legislators, partners, vendors, and internal departments. Support other legislative events and stakeholder-engagement activities as assigned. - (Essential)
• 5% - Perform other responsibilities as assigned. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5 years’ experience in working in state government and/or higher education
• Evidenced experience in governmental and legislative affairs
• Strong working knowledge of legislative trends at the state level

Preferred Qualifications

• Specific experience in policy or government relations pertaining to the State of Tennessee
• Evidenced work experience in Tennessee state government at the legislative or administration liaison level or higher
• Knowledge of legislative trends at the federal level and their impact

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of public-policy development and the structure, functions, and procedures of legislative bodies, executive agencies, and public higher education systems, particularly in Tennessee;
• Strong judgment and discretion, with the ability to work independently, manage sensitive relationships, and carry out advocacy activities consistent with established organizational priorities and political considerations;
• Experience supporting legislative tracking, monitoring legislative activity, and navigating Tennessee law, rules, and the state legislative process;
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive relationships with legislators, legislative staff, state officials, college administrators, and other internal and external stakeholders;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, persuasive materials and tailor messages to legislators, state officials, institutional leaders, and other audiences;
• Strong internal communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to keep colleagues and leadership appropriately informed, share timely updates, coordinate work across teams, and contribute reliably to a responsive, high-functioning department;
• Strong organizational, project-management, and event-coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and execute complex legislative events, advocacy activities, and stakeholder-engagement efforts;
• Creative thinking, sound problem-solving skills, and the ability to respond effectively to changing legislative and political environments; and
• Ability to travel periodically within the state for board meetings, legislative meetings, institutional visits, Day on the Hill, and related events.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

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