Director of Federal Government Relations

Director of Federal Government Relations Priority Application Deadline: 06/04/2026 Overview Job ID 37160321 Category Governmental Relations and Communications Organization Chancellor Department Govt & Community Relations Location Main Campus - UCR Salary $143,000 - $285,000 Date Posted May 13, 2026 Application Deadline Open Until Filled Schedule 8AM - 5PM Full/Part Time Full-time(100%) Level of Supervision General Direction Personnel Program Code Management & Sr Professional Other Information Qualifies for Employee Referral Bonus: No UC Internal Job: No Position Information Please note that this position may be designated as either a campus-based role or based in Washington, D.C. For full consideration, applicants are required to submit a resume. UC Riverside is partnering with Another Source, a nationally recognized recruiting firm specializing in higher education leadership searches, to support the recruitment for the Director of Federal Government Relations position. Under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership, Government, and Community Relations, and in close partnership with the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, the Director of Federal Government Relations leads the development and execution of the University of California, Riverside's federal advocacy strategy. This role advances UCR's priorities in research, higher education, healthcare, and economic development by cultivating and managing strategic relationships with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, federal agencies, the Administration, and national associations. The Director serves as a key advisor to campus leadership and faculty on federal policy, legislative developments, and funding opportunities; supports faculty engagement in federal initiatives; and positions UCR competitively for federal investment. The role also strengthens UCR's national visibility, advances institutional priorities through coalitions and partnerships, and aligns federal engagement with the university's long-term strategic and research goals. The full salary range for the Director of Federal Government Relations is $143,000 - $285,000 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $167,016 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. Requirements Educational Requirements Degree Requirement Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. Required Advance degree in a related field of study. Preferred Experience Requirements Experience Requirement 8 - 13 years of related experience. Required Prior experience working with Federal elected officials. Preferred Prior experience in higher education. Preferred Special Conditions Special Condition Requirement Must pass a background check. Required Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations. Required Ability to travel frequently for university related business. Required Travel Outside of Normal Business Hours Required Minimum Requirements Expert knowledge and understanding of general issues in higher education, research or medical science and campus and/or medical center specific issues. Expert knowledge of external and campus and/or medical center constituencies, including their composition and areas of concern. Expert knowledge of the principles and concepts of building and maintaining effective relationships with external constituencies to achieve institutional goals and objectives. Expert level written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including attentive listening skills and skill to ascertain constituency perception. Expert skill to quickly identify and develop strategies to effectively communicate the institution's message. Expert level analytical and decision-making skills, sound judgment and highly developed political acumen. Expert skill to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and skill to effectively address, resolve and/or mitigate problems or issues. Expert knowledge of all aspects of the legislative and political process, and expert skill to correctly and appropriately read, interpret, understand and respond to proposed legislation, including writing effective position statements and drafting proposed legislation. Effective relationship-building and collaboration skills. Consistent exercise of independent and sound judgment and discretion in matters of significance with uncompromising ethics and integrity. Ability to influence, negotiate with, and persuade others. Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the national political landscape impacting higher education, health care and research. Preferred Qualifications Expert, thorough, in-depth knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the campus and/or medical center, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, infrastructure, history, long-range strategic plans, current issues of concern, accomplishments and awards. Additional Information In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel. UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud. UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings. UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020 UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color. Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019 Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor. For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview Job Description Details General Information Job Title GOVERNMENT REL SPEC 5 Job Code 000224 Grade 28 Department Head Elizabeth Romero Supervisor Elizabeth Romero Generic Scope Recognized organization-wide expert. Has significant impact and influence on organizational policy and program development. Regularly leads projects of critical importance to the organization; these projects carry substantial consequences of success or failure. May direct programs with organization-wide impact that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources. Significant barriers to entry exist at this level. Custom Scope Having wide-ranging experience, administers, oversees, or performs work involved in establishing and maintaining the highest level relationships between the institution and its many constituents, including government, the general public, and various other relevant public or interest groups, which may include internal, external, domestic and foreign audiences. Constituencies typically include the most influential or powerful institutional public or special interest groups. Department Custom Scope Under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership, Government, and Community Relations, and in close partnership with the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, the Director of Federal Government Relations leads the development and execution of the University of California, Riverside's federal advocacy strategy. This role advances UCR's priorities in research, higher education, healthcare, and economic development by cultivating and managing strategic relationships with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, federal agencies, the Administration, and national associations. The Director serves as a key advisor to campus leadership and faculty on federal policy, legislative developments, and funding opportunities; supports faculty engagement in federal initiatives; and positions UCR competitively for federal investment. The role also strengthens UCR's national visibility, advances institutional priorities through coalitions and partnerships, and aligns federal engagement with the university's long-term strategic and research goals. Key Responsibilities Description Percent Time Designs, develops and implements short and long-range plans designed to highlight campus and/or medical center achievements and showcase the institution to broad based or highly influential public/constituencies. Lead development and execution of UCR's federal appropriations strategy, including Community Project Funding (CPF), Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS), and federal agency funding requests. Coordinate campus-wide federal funding priorities and submissions in partnership with research leadership, health affairs, and academic units. Track, analyze, and influence federal budget and appropriations processes to maximize institutional funding outcomes. 15% Projects include government and/or industry lobbying efforts. Represent UCR in Washington, DC with federal officials, national associations, and coalition partners to advance UCR and UC's federal legislative and budgetary priorities. Coordinate federal visits, campus delegations, and strategic engagements with policymakers. 15% Serves as an institutional representative, working closely with relevant groups to appropriately and positively influence discussion and debate for legislation favorable to campus and/or medical center. Ensure UCR participation in national higher education and research advocacy coalitions, including AAU, APLU, and UCOP federal relations initiatives. 10% Provides expert advice and counsel to all relevant groups, including senior management, regarding all areas of the legislative process as well as general issues of concern in higher education, research and medical science including those issues that may directly impact the campus and/or medical center. Serve as a principal advisor to the Chancellor, Provost, Vice Chancellors, Deans, and senior leadership on federal affairs. Develop federal engagement plans aligned with institutional priorities including research growth, student success, healthcare, and capital development. 10% Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key federal agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD, DOE, USDA, HRSA). Advance UCR's competitiveness for major federal research awards, centers, and infrastructure investments. 10% Develop, cultivate, and sustain strategic relationships with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and key committee and caucus offices to advance the university?s legislative and funding priorities. 10% Identifies communication needs and develops informational materials and/or programs/events to inform appropriate public of campus and/or medical center policy, programs, services and activities. Anticipate the informational and strategic needs of campus leadership and proactively develop high-quality communications materials including briefing memos, talking points, policy analyses, and background documents to support federal advocacy, institutional priorities, and engagement. 5% Plans, executes, and evaluates the overall effectiveness of broad based information and communications programs designed to further campus and/or medical center goals, making revisions and changes as necessary, to ensure on-going improvements and enhancements to improve the effectiveness and success of external relations activities. 5% Other duties as assigned. 5% Coordinate with internal teams, including Legal, Compliance, and Communications, to ensure reporting compliance, unified messaging and strategy. 5% Advances federal support for regional economic development, innovation, workforce development, and university-industry partnerships. 5% Serve as a senior member of the Governmental and Community Relations team, contributing to office strategy, planning, and execution. Mentor and support the professional development of junior staff and contribute to a collaborative, highperforming team environment. Support overall office functions and ensure effective coordination of federal relations activities with state and local advocacy efforts. 5% Other Requirements Items Used Standard Office Equipment Physical Requirements Bend: N/A Sit: Frequently Squat: N/A Stand: Frequently Crawl: N/A Walk: Occasionally Climb: N/A Mental Requirements Read/Comprehend: Constantly Write: Constantly Perform Calculations: Occasionally Communicate Orally: Constantly Reason & Analyze: Constantly Environmental Requirements Is exposed to excessive noise: No Is around moving machinery: No Is exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity: No Drives motorized equipment: No Works in confined quarters: No Dust: No Fumes: No Critical Position Yes

Salary : $143,000 - $285,000