State Relations Director

Wayne State University; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University is seeking a State Relations Director at its Detroit campus to lead our state government engagement and advocacy efforts. The role focuses on building durable relationships with lawmakers and agencies to maximize funding opportunities and advance the University’s priorities.

The Director will oversee lobbying activities, coordinate with University partners such as UCAM and Alumni Relations, and develop proactive advocacy plans aligned with institutional goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in political science, public policy, public administration or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of job-related experience in legislative, governmental affairs, public policy, public relations or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with state officials, their staff and related organizations to advocate for the University's priorities.
• Serve as legislative liaison to ensure GRACE objectives are achieved and coordinate with external partners to advance higher education interests.
• Monitor legislation and regulations impacting the University and communicate positions to campus partners.
• Oversee contracted lobbying staff and coordinate statewide advocacy activities and events.
• Collaborate with Deans and Cabinet to identify state grant and funding opportunities and track outcomes.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science/public policy/public administration or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

State Relations Director

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced StateRelations Director at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university locatedin the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from allbackgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Ourdeep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity,diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educationalopportunities which prepare students for success in a globalsociety.

Essential functions (job duties):

Job Purpose

The State Relations Director reports to the Chief of GovernmentRelations and Community Engagement (GRACE) and serves as WayneState University's lead liaison to the legislative and executivebranches of state government. The role is responsible for buildingand sustaining relationships that maximize funding opportunities,advance the university's policy priorities, and minimize the impactof adverse legislation and regulation on the University, whileestablishing and enhancing WSU's reputation with individuals andorganizations of influence at the state level.

The State Relations Director develops and executes a proactiveannual state advocacy strategy, monitors pending legislation andregulatory developments affecting the university, and representsWSU's positions before legislators, committees, and executivebranch officials. The role oversees the workflow of theuniversity's contracted lobbying staff in Lansing and works withcampus partners, including UCAM and Alumni Relations, to buildadvocacy materials and networks that advance legislativegoals.

The State Relations Director works with the GRACE team and itsgoals to keep state, local, regional, and federal-level engagementaligned and strategic, and may support other advocacy activities asneeded. The State Relations Director collaborates with campusentities like UCAM and Alumni Relations to engage alumni and campusstakeholders in advocacy, works with Deans and members of thePresident’s Cabinet to coordinate state grant and fundingopportunities, and helps establish consistent practices fortracking and evaluating the impact of state government relationswork across campus.

Essential Functions

Cultivate and maintain relationships, networks and contacts withstate officials, their staff and related organizations andassociations. Represent the interests of the University,communicate its program proposals and policy positions and addressits problems or concerns with the appropriate officials. Prepareinformational materials to be given to the appropriate executiveand legislative departments and committees.

Serve as a legislative liaison to various WSU stakeholders toensure that the objectives of GRACE are achieved. Engage externalorganizations with similar interests (e.g. Michigan Association ofState Universities) to collectively advocate the interests ofhigher education and the university. Serve on external andUniversity-wide boards, task forces and committees to informdecision-making and disseminate pertinent information. Monitorcompliance with University policy and possible contractualagreements.

Perform research and analysis to assist the Chief of GovernmentRelations and Community Engagement with the development ofstrategies to communicate the University's position. Monitorpending legislation and regulations that impact the University.Follow bills through committee and meet with appropriatelegislators to share the University’s position(s). Disseminateinformation pertaining to state legislation to appropriateUniversity personnel. Provide assistance to Deans and Universityresearch personnel in identifying and securing state grants andcontracts.

Oversee and coordinate the workflow of the contracted lobbyingstaff in Lansing.

Coordinate and participate in political outreach activities,including the hosting of events and coordinating the visits ofstate government officials to the University’s main campus andregional centers to represent the university and advance itsinterests.

Create a proactive annual advocacy plan that includes in-districtengagements when appropriate and work with relevant campusstakeholders (i.e. UCAM and Alumni Relations, etc.) to build outadvocacy materials and networks to advance legislative goals.

Attend conferences, workshops and informational developmentseminars and professional groups and organizations to keep abreastof current trends and practices in state government affairs.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

WORK CONTEXT

Job Reports to: Vice President/AVP/Dean.

Leadership Accountability: Develops strategic plans and interpretspolicy.

Financial Accountability: Manages operating budget.

Customer Accountability: Interfaces with officials andexecutives.

Freedom to Act: Subject to general input from supervisor.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor's degree.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university inpolitical science, public policy, public administration or relatedfield. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

Specialist (minimum 5 years of job-related experience).

Experience (5+ years) in legislative and governmental affairs,public policy, public relations or closely related field. One ormore years in a staff role in a legislative office or a relatedagency highly desired. Experience in multiple political arenas(federal, state and local government) preferred. Managementexperience including, but not limited to: planning, development andimplementation of programs/policies; supervision of vendors andstaff; development and oversight of financial resources and budgetplanning.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Must be able to register as a lobbyist with the state. Excellentverbal and written communication skills and proven ability tocommunicate effectively with others. Strong analytical andproblem-solving skills. Knowledge of issues facing higher educationand familiarity with typical university policies andprocedures.

School/College/Division:

H37 - Governmental & Community Aff

Primary department:

H3701 - VP Gov and Community Affairs

Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Salary minimum: $120,000
• Salary hire maximum: $125,000

Working conditions:

• Normal office environment.
• Ability to travel between Detroitand Lansing on a regular basis.
• Some evening and weekend work isnecessary to cover legislative sessions, meetings, andevents.

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offeredemployment to undergo a background check, including a criminalhistory check, before starting work. If you are offered employment,the university will inform you if a background check isrequired.