Director of Government Relations

TSTC; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework options

Periodic travel

Job summary

Texas State Technical College is seeking a Director of Government Relations to advance legislative priorities through strategic engagement, policy analysis, and relationship building with officials, agencies, and industry partners.

The role requires monitoring legislation, drafting language, and coordinating with internal stakeholders to keep government relations informed and proactive in the Texas policy landscape. Occasional travel for Capitol events and campus engagements is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 5+ years in stakeholder engagement with officials or partners.
• 4+ years in government relations, public policy, or legislative affairs.
• 3+ years in Texas policy analysis, tracking, or drafting legislation.
• Knowledge of state and federal legislative processes.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with policy staff and elected officials.
• Monitor legislation and analyze impact on TSTC.
• Track and report on legislative activity and agency actions.
• Support development of legislative language and strategy.
• Coordinate campus engagement and Capitol activities during sessions.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Relationship building

Policy analysis

Legislative tracking

Public policy

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

USLege

Telicon

CRM platforms

Job description

Are you someone who strives for excellence, values accountability, provides the best service, all while reflecting unwavering integrity? Our talented team members across the state follow the behaviors, beliefs and outcomes of these core values to ensure that our vision is met. If you're ready to join the TSTC family and make great memories please complete our application process.

Job Description

The Director of Government Relations serves as a key external-facing representative for Texas State Technical College, advancing the institution's legislative priorities through relationship-building, policy analysis, and strategic engagement. This role cultivates and maintains relationships with elected officials, policy staff, state agencies, industry associations, and government relations consultants across the Texas Legislature, Governor's Office, and broader policy landscape. The Director monitors legislative and regulatory activity, supports the development of legislative language, and collaborates with internal stakeholders to ensure government relations efforts remain informed, proactive, and responsive to the institution's priorities.

Essential Functions

The employee will demonstrate TSTC's Core Values of Excellence, Accountability, Service, and Integrity with internal and external stakeholders, customers, students, and community members.

Stakeholder & Elected Official Relations

Build and maintain relationships with policy staff in the Governor's Office, Texas House, and Texas Senate, as well as with state agencies, industry associations, and government relations consultants. Serve as a point of contact for elected officials, agency representatives, and external partners, facilitating ongoing engagement to advance TSTC's legislative priorities and institutional visibility. Engage with stakeholders to identify and understand their policy needs and goals, ensuring TSTC's government relations efforts remain informed, relevant, and responsive.

Policy Analysis & Reporting

Review and evaluate proposed legislation and existing government code to assess potential impacts on TSTC. Gather and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to produce reports and recommendations that inform institutional decision-making and support the Government Relations team's legislative strategy.

Legislative Tracking & Monitoring

Monitor and track the progress of legislation, rulemaking, and agency activity related to TSTC's mission and priorities. Attend and monitor House and Senate committee meetings to track legislative activity relevant to TSTC. Coordinate staff-to-staff interactions with legislative offices and ensure timely communication of legislative developments to internal stakeholders.

Interim Strategy & Issue Identification

Identify emerging policy issues during legislative interim periods and contribute to the development of proactive strategies to address them. Participate in strategic planning for both legislative session and interim activities for the Government Relations team.

Legislative Engagement

During legislative sessions, coordinate with the Government Relations team to support communications efforts at the Capitol, including Legislative Staff Briefings, TSTC Week, and related engagements. Collaborate with internal TSTC partners to plan and execute campus site visits, government relations events, legislative luncheons, and other engagement activities that strengthen relationships with elected officials and agency representatives. Assist in the ongoing development and operation of TSTC's legislative program.

Institutional Knowledge & Internal Collaboration

Develop and maintain a working knowledge of TSTC's programs, priorities, workforce mission, and institutional landscape to effectively represent the institution in external government relations settings. Collaborate with internal departments and campus leadership to stay informed of institutional needs, emerging issues, and strategic goals that may be impacted by legislative or regulatory activity.

Education & Experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Five years of experience in stakeholder engagement, including building and maintaining relationships with elected officials, business partners, policy staff, or agency representatives.
• Four years of experience in government relations, public policy, legislative affairs, and the Texas Legislature.
• Three years of experience in Texas policy analysis, legislative tracking, or drafting legislative language and reports.
• Knowledge and working experience of the legislative processes at the state and federal level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education or workforce development policy is strongly preferred.
• Established network of contacts within the Texas Legislature, state agencies, and relevant industry associations.
• Experience with legislative tracking software (e.g., USLege, Telicon) and CRM platforms for stakeholder management.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to engage with government officials to advocate for institutional interests and build relationships that advance organizational goals.
• Ability to monitor and analyze governmental policies, initiatives, and regulations and assess their impact on institutional operations.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including community leaders, government officials, and business partners, and represent the organization in public-facing settings.
• Ability to convey complex information clearly through written, verbal, and presentation formats to diverse audiences.
• Ability to collect, interpret, and synthesize data from multiple sources to identify patterns, trends, and findings, and present results through reports, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, competing deadlines, and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to apply knowledge of higher education systems and workforce development practices to support institutional goals.

Core Competencies

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Strong aptitude for collaborating across departments and functions to achieve shared goals and maximize impact. Engages in collaborative decision-making processes and builds consensus among diverse stakeholders.

Analytical Thinking

Applies critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate complex issues and make informed decisions.

Stakeholder Engagement

Builds and maintains effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels to achieve shared goals and foster a culture of success.

Relationship Building

Establishing and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders to advance organizational goals.

Collaborative Decision-Making

Engages in collaborative decision-making processes and builds consensus among diverse stakeholders.

Forward Thinking

Big picture thinker who anticipates future trends and consequences and creates competitive strategies and plans.

Ethical Conduct

Commitment to upholding ethical standards and promoting integrity in all activities.

Ownership and Accountability

Superior organizational skills and ability to take ownership of deliverable deadlines, ensuring timely and accurate completion of tasks and projects.

Adaptability and Flexibility

Adapt to changing priorities, work in a fast-paced environment, and handle unexpected situations with poise. Flexibility in adjusting schedules and accommodating shifting demands.

Extra Duties Statement

This job description outlines the general responsibilities and expectations of the role. It is not intended to include every task or responsibility. Additional duties may be assigned by leadership as needed.

Additional Job Description

This position may be considered for telework options based on eligibility under TSTC's Telework Policy aligned with State of Texas requirements.

Must be reachable during business hours through standard communication channels as required by the role.

Some duties may require work outside standard business hours to support divisional meetings, employee engagement activities, onboarding events, communication deadlines, or institutional priorities.

Full-time, FLSA-exempt position.

Periodic in-state travel to campuses or meetings beyond the employee's designated or nearest base campus may be required based on business needs and will comply with TSTC and State of Texas requirements.

Position requires sustained attention to confidential, sensitive, and operationally important employee and divisional information.

TSTC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position.

TSTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, or veteran status.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Texas State Technical College (TSTC), as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. TSTC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at TSTC.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for the finalist(s) under consideration for this position.