Position Title: Senior Director of Federal Relations

Classification: Director 1 - Government Relations (9365GR)

Reports To: Executive Director Government Relations

Salary Range: $186k - $220k annually
Location: Washington, D.C., in-office/in-person

Position Summary:
The University is seeking a strategic and dynamic leader to serve as Senior Director of Federal Relations, based in Washington, D.C. This senior-level position is responsible for directing the Universityâ™s federal advocacy agenda, cultivating relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, and providing strategic counsel on federal issues affecting higher education and research. Reporting to the Executive Director of Government Relations, the Senior Director plays a key role in positioning the University as a national leader in research, education, and public service.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Advocacy & Policy Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive federal relations strategy to advance the Universityâ™s priorities, including research funding, student financial aid, innovation, and regulatory matters.
• Monitor, analyze, and provide strategic insights on federal legislation, executive actions, and budget proposals that impact higher education institutions.
• Advocate for institutional priorities through direct engagement with the legislative and executive branches, including appropriations, authorizations, and regulatory affairs.
• Draft policy briefs, testimonies, and advocacy materials to support the Universityâ™s positions.

Federal Engagement & External Relations

• Build and maintain strong bipartisan relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, federal agencies, and higher education coalitions.
• Represent the University in key national associations and advisory groups (e.g., AAU, APLU, National Academies) and engage in working groups focused on federal policy.
• Coordinate meetings, briefings, and events involving federal officials, University leadership, faculty, and alumni.
• Facilitate faculty testimony and participation in congressional roundtables, hearings, and agency consultations.

Internal Coordination & Institutional Alignment

• Advise senior leadership, administrators, and faculty on federal trends, opportunities, and challenges relevant to institutional objectives.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative units across the University to align advocacy efforts with strategic priorities.
• Develop and implement federal engagement strategies for University stakeholders, including faculty visits to Washington and advocacy training.
• Ensure compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act and related reporting requirements.

Team Leadership & Operational Oversight

• Lead and manage the Office of Federal Relations, including budgeting and staffing.
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive team culture that emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and impact.

Compensation & Benefits:
The University offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, commensurate with experience. This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact federal relations program and shape the future of higher education and research policy on a national scale.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelorâ™s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, law, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in federal government relations, higher education policy, or legislative affairs.
• Deep knowledge of federal research appropriations, student aid programs, and regulatory frameworks affecting higher education.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing impactful advocacy strategies at the federal level.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to distill complex policies into clear, persuasive arguments.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships across organizational and political boundaries.
• A strong sense of integrity, commitment to equal opportunity, and the ability to navigate complex institutional environments.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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