About the UT System
The University of Tennessee System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski and Martin; the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Space Institute at Tullahoma; and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service. The UT System enrolls about 54,000 undergraduate and graduate students statewide, and more than 13,000 students graduate from UT campuses each year with bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degrees.
The UT System has a presence in each of Tennessee's 95 counties. Through the combined force of education, research and outreach, the University serves students, business and industry, schools, governments, organizations and citizens statewide.
Government Relations and Advocacy
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, the Office of Government Relations and Advocacy serves as the official liaison on public policy issues for the University of Tennessee System before federal, state, and local governments. The Office identifies, monitors, and engages on policy and funding issues, proposed legislation, and government rulemaking impacting the University of Tennessee. It leverages system-wide advocacy strategies, builds relationships to benefit all campuses and institutes, and provides strategic advice and executive decision support to the UT President, campus Chancellors, and other UT leadership. The Office also provides service and support to policymakers by engaging the University's numerous experts, capabilities and resources, and works to secure opportunities to raise the University's visibility before state and federal government stakeholders.
The Opportunity
The Office of Government Relations and Advocacy enthusiastically invites applications and nominations for the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Federal Relations.
Reporting directly to the Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, the AVP of Federal Relations represents the University's interests with members of Congress, House and Senate professional committee staff, federal agencies, and the White House. Working with the President, Chancellors, Institute Leaders, and Vice President of Government Relations, the position leads the development and execution of the University's federal agenda, monitoring and response to federal legislation, rules, and Executive Orders, and engagement strategy of the Tennessee delegation, delegations from partner states, and key federal officials and staff. The position also actively collaborates with association counterparts, creates coalitions to advance University interests, and produces regular reports and briefing materials to inform University leadership and stakeholders. In addition, the position creates opportunities for UT students, faculty, and staff to showcase expertise at the federal level, and works with alumni colleagues on outreach for UT alumni on the Hill and within the federal government. Finally, the position regularly works with the state government relations team on developing comprehensive strategies to advance issues of shared importance to the University.
Additionally, the AVP will perform the following duties in fulfillment of the role:
- In consultation with the Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, lead development of the UT System's federal agenda and a strategic advocacy plan to achieve desired outcomes.
- Establish effective, bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, key Congressional staff, Congressional Committee leaders and representatives of the Administration and federal agencies of interest to the University.
- Serve as an official representative and spokesperson on UT programs and priorities to federal policymakers.
- Regularly meet with university stakeholders to determine areas of emerging interest and provide briefings on key federal activity.
- Coordinate regular, direct member engagement opportunities for University leadership tailored to UT's federal priorities.
- Actively identify and monitor federal legislation, regulations, and Executive Orders of interest. Lead the development of University feedback/response to emerging issues.
- Create coalitions to advance priorities, regularly working with higher education/science association counterparts.
- Lead efforts to grow the University's visibility at the federal level, including identifying opportunities to highlight University expertise.
- Lead and coordinate a broad range of Government Relations and Advocacy activities supporting high quality educational programs for both Washington, D.C. and university-based participants.
- Provide leadership and coordination to federal consultants. Annually assess consultant performance.
- Provide leadership to and supervise federal relations staff.
- Ensure compliance with university policies, protocols, and various federal laws governing contact with federal officials.
- Develop regular communications and briefing materials for senior university leadership, the Board of Trustees, and university stakeholders.
- Collaborate with state government relations team on comprehensive strategies to advance issues of shared importance to the University.
- Interact with Congressional district offices throughout the state, supporting interaction and familiarity with UT presence in each district.
- Frequently engage with UT Executive Leadership, including the UT System President, campus Chancellors, and research leadership across the system to develop and advance priorities for UT with the federal government.
- Develop partnerships to grow internship and fellowship opportunities for UT students and faculty within the federal government.
- Collaborate with Alumni Association colleagues to develop robust outreach efforts for UT alumni on Capitol Hill and in the federal government.
- Oversee the hiring, training, and management of federal relations interns.
The position is based in the Government Relations and Advocacy Office in Nashville, Tennessee.
