Description:

The Office of Government and Community Relations operates across three cities, Houston, Austin, and Washington, D.C. This position holds offices in both Houston and Austin, with periodic travel to Washington, D.C. as needed.

Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor/Vice President of Government and Community Relations, this position assists in developing, implementing, and executing departmental goals and serves as the primary representative for the University System’s government relations healthcare priorities. This role works closely with the Vice President for Health Affairs; Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for State Relations; Associate and Assistant Vice Chancellors; UHS institution presidents; executive leadership, including health college leadership across the system; and external stakeholders to advance higher education healthcare policy, legislative priorities, and academic excellence across the UH System.

1. Support the development, alignment and execution of UHS goals and initiatives at the Local, State and Federal levels with a focus on healthcare education and delivery by institutions of higher education.

2. Develops and maintains regular communication and working relationships with elected officials, appointed officials, and their staffs.

3. Partners with other healthcare systems that include providers, insurers and industry stakeholders, and assists with representing UHS in policy forums, stakeholder meetings and relevant workgroups.

4. Identifies, reviews, analyzes and interprets healthcare legislation that will impact UHS and its institutions. Monitors activities of legislative committees and provides timely updates to assist with the coordination of governmental relations activities to achieve department goals.

5. Coordinates with department, institutional leadership and necessary faculty groups to develop, coordinate, and assist in executing the department's legislative agenda regarding healthcare education and delivery in higher education.

6. Represents UHS mission of improving healthcare delivery and education through regular communications with local, state and federal officials and agencies.

7. Supports engagement relating to priorities and goals of UHS to state agencies, including the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Legislative Budget Board, and Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Texas Department of State Health Services.

8. Serves as liaison between campuses and elected officials, advocating for UHS healthcare priorities.

9. Manages communication with various university leadership, faculty groups, alumni groups, student organizations, and health industry associations.

10. Prepares policy briefings, legislative materials, and reports for system leadership.

11. Helps develop, implement and evaluate legislative strategies related to system priorities in healthcare delivery and health education.

12. Monitors various policy sources to research, monitor, analyze, and respond to federal, state, and local policies affecting UHS, provides recommendations to senior leadership on significant state and federal issues.

13. Maintains active collaboration with other state universities and systems to share intelligence, coordinate strategy, and strengthen statewide higher education advocacy.

14. Researches and identifies outside funding for projects that are important to UHS.

15. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional disciplines. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job related, 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Requires a minimum of seven (7) years of directly job-related experience.

Preferred: Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in governmental relations, public administration, or higher education policy. Demonstrated experience working with legislative bodies, executive agencies, and academic institutions; or Masters degree in public policy, education, law or related field, and ten (10) years directly related professional experience in healthcare policy and advocacy. Demonstrated relationships with members of the Texas Congressional Delegation, Texas Legislature and other critical public officials. Knowledge of the Texas Legislative Process and state agencies. Experience working with higher education institutions, healthcare organizations and/or healthcare systems.

Additional Job details:

The Office of Government and Community Relations operates across three cities, Houston, Austin, and Washington, D.C. This position holds offices in both Houston and Austin, with periodic travel to Washington, D.C. as needed. 

The University of Houston seeks a dynamic and proven strategic leader to serve as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Government Relations, Health. This role will lead the University’s health-focused government relations efforts, advancing legislative priorities, strengthening partnerships with health systems and policymakers, and aligning initiatives across UHS colleges and programs.

The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in public policy, healthcare, higher education, and government relations, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and drive impactful outcomes. This position will play a critical role in elevating the UH System’s presence in the health sector and supporting the systems broader mission of education, research, and health engagement.

Required documents:

Resume, coversheet and three professional references, including at least two from former or current supervisors. 

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.