Edtech.com's Summary

University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) is hiring a Director, State Government Relations. The Director directs the university’s state, county, and local government relations agenda by developing and implementing governmental and political engagement strategies and advising senior leaders on government affairs. This role advocates for policies benefiting the university’s educational, research, and service missions while building and nurturing relationships with elected officials and key stakeholders.

Highlights

Lead development and advocacy of university’s agenda on state legislation, budget, regulations, and policy.
Serve as primary contact between elected officials and the university to promote its mission.
Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory actions; prepare briefings and testimony.
Advise senior leadership and faculty on legislative issues and their impacts.
Plan and manage events involving government officials, such as advocacy days and roundtables.
Collaborate with University System of Maryland and other institutions on higher education issues.
Proficient in Microsoft Office; skilled in advocacy, negotiation, legislation analysis, and communication.
Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree and 10 years in government relations or public policy, with 5 years managing staff.
Experience with Maryland General Assembly and Prince George’s County government preferred.
Salary range: $219,920 - $263,904; position requires financial disclosure and successful background check.

Director, State Government Relations Full Description

Job Description Summary

The Director of State Relations advances the University's broad state, county and local government relations agenda. Working closely with the Executive Director of Government Relations, the Director of State Government Relations develops and implements the University's governmental and political engagement strategy with state and local elected officials and key policymakers and university stakeholders that benefits and promotes the University. The Director of State Relations will advise senior university leaders, faculty members and key members of the university community on government affairs impacting the university and higher education more broadly. The Director of State Government Relations will foster constructive relationships with state officials and engage them in higher education issues specific to the University and public higher education in general. This position builds rapport with other policymakers, business and community figures, and stakeholders to advocate for the education, research, and service mission of UMD. This position will establish and nurture productive relationships with elected and appointed state officials to further promote the flagship mission of UMD. This position will be based in College Park and Annapolis, Maryland with travel to local and other state locations and national conferences as needed.

In support of the University's priorities, the Director of State Relations:

- Collaborates with University leadership to help develop the University's agenda on matters of state
legislation, operating and capital budget matters, regulations, and policy, and advocates and clearly
communicates those priorities to government officials.
- Operates as the primary contact between elected officials and the University to advocate for
policies that advance the educational, research, and service mission of the state's Flagship and
Land Grant University.
- Monitors state and county legislative hearings and actions; guides advocacy efforts and testimony;
informs University of impact of legislative actions; and prepares communications and briefings to
and for key stakeholders regarding pertinent legislative issues.
- Apprises senior leadership and faculty members of pertinent legislative issues, external factors, and
policy proposals and actions that could impact the university.
- Serves as a key representative for the university at legislative sessions/workgroups, committee
hearings and other relevant events in Annapolis.
- Responds on behalf of the University to state legislative and state regulatory proposals that affect
the University, ensuring that the University acts with a single unified voice, including supporting
formal testimony at hearings or other appropriate actions.
- Facilitates and arranges interactions between key members of the University community and state
governmental officials.
- Establishes and builds excellent relationships with state and local agencies, community
representatives and policymakers to provide timely responses, ensuring that the University's
interests are well represented.
- Manages and submits responses to state, county and local officials in inquiries regarding general
information about the University, policies, and programs.
- Plans and manages events in Annapolis and on campus that involve state, county and local
government officials, such as roundtables, tours of campus, and advocacy days in Annapolis.
- Works with the University System of Maryland and its other institutions to collaborate on larger
higher education issues.

Preferences:
- Demonstrated success working with and building relationships with public officials and their teams.
- Proven track record of effective engagement and operations in government affairs, public policy,
and external relations.
- Knowledge of all aspects of the state budgetary, legislative and political process.
- Skill in interpreting and responding to proposed legislation, including writing effective position
statements.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products.
- Evidence of ability to accurately interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws, and
strategically maneuver within those contexts to advance institutional priorities.
- Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service and sensitivity to an
inclusive and diverse community.
- Track record as an inspiring team-player and coach, able to lead and motivate teams to high levels
of performance.
- Experience working with the Maryland General Assembly and/or the Prince George's County elected
leaders and their teams.
- Demonstrated success working within or with Maryland Legislative and Prince George's County
processes.

Physical Demands:
Predominantly works in an office environment. Will require the ability to regularly travel throughout the State of Maryland. Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time, both indoors and outdoors. This position will require occasional evening work hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Ten (10) years of professional experience in government relations, public affairs, public policy, or legislative affairs. Five (5) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Knowledge of state and local government structures, legislative processes, and policymaking.

Knowledge of principles and practices of government relations, public policy, and public affairs.

Knowledge of higher education issues, trends, and challenges at the state and local level.

Knowledge of political, social, and economic factors influencing public higher education.

Knowledge of effective advocacy, negotiation, and coalition-building strategies.

Skill in developing and executing government relations and public affairs strategies.

Skill in building and maintaining professional relationships with elected officials, policymakers, and key stakeholders.

Skill in analyzing complex legislation, policy proposals, and regulatory actions.

Skill in clear and persuasive oral and written communication, including preparation of testimony, policy briefs, and reports.

Skill in representing the University with professionalism and diplomacy.

Ability to advise senior leadership, faculty, and university stakeholders on government and public policy matters.

Ability to navigate a politically sensitive environment while maintaining credibility and trust.

Ability to work collaboratively across internal departments, academic units, and external organizations.

Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality in all professional matters.

Additional Job Details

Preferences:

Required Application Materials:

Resume, Cover Letter, and a list of three professional references

Best Consideration Date:

October 27, 2025

Posting Close Date:

N/A

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

Yes
For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Department

PRES-President's Office

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$219,920 - $263,904

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

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