Director of Governmental Relations

Director of Governmental Relations

Category: Administrative, Professional & Staff Positions
Department: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Locations: Springfield, IL
Posted: Apr 12, 2023
Closes: Open Until Filled
Type: FT - Continuous


About Western Illinois University:

Western Illinois University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, serves over 7,600 students at its traditional, residential four-year campus in Macomb, IL and its metropolitan branch campus in Moline, IL.


Job Description:

Western Illinois University (WIU) seeks a committed, visionary, experienced leader to serve as the Director of Governmental Relations to develop federal and state legislative priorities and advocacy strategies, monitor legislative issues, educate elected officials about WIU needs, strengths and opportunities, and interact with legislators, staff and key stakeholders to strengthen relationships and partnerships for the University. The position reports to the President and serves to help shape the President's strategic considerations on government and political matters that may affect the university. The Director will work closely with other senior administrators, and interact with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members to develop and maintain support for Western Illinois University through the legislative and executive branches of federal and state government.

The Director will have the broad mandate to develop and implement comprehensive strategies for addressing and implementing legislation affecting WIU and higher education. The position will manage government relations issues and develop effective strategic alliances with elected and appointed officials at the local, state and national levels, as well as with local community and civic leaders and organizations to support WIU's interests. An understanding of the University's priorities and direction to effectively promote and advocate for its interests is critical in this role.

The chosen candidate must contribute to a growing, vibrant, thriving organizational and institutional culture. The Director will maintain liaison with City, State and Federal offices, agencies, policy-making boards and organizations. Successful candidates will have superior political acumen and the ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

APPOINTMENT: July 1, 2023 or negotiated start date.

COMPENSATION: A competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be provided to the successful candidate.

Western Illinois University offers a comprehensive benefits package including domestic partner benefits. For full benefit information visit: http://www.wiu.edu/human_resources/benefits/.


Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in public administration, public policy, political science, or related field.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in government relations and appropriations and policy making processes.
• Demonstrated record of strong strategic planning skills and experience managing multiple large-scale assignments simultaneously.
• Proven superior political acumen and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build coalitions.
• Ability to read legislation.
• Proficiency with legislative analysis and strategy and the ability to think critically on complex public policy issues.
• Familiarity with rulemaking processes at both the federal and state levels.
• Thorough understanding of, and experience with, the state legislative and budget processes and familiarity with federal legislative and budget development, including federal grants.
• Strong research and public speaking skills.
• Proven leadership skills and ability to work with diverse individuals and groups.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• Experience as a governmental relations professional in a higher education setting.
• Experience working with the Illinois General Assembly.
  

For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body).


Additional Information:

About WIU

Since 1899, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region. WIU currently serves over 7,600 students between the two campuses.

WIU-Macomb, IL: Western's traditional, residential main campus offers a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, and post-baccalaureate certificates. A diverse community in west central Illinois, Macomb features a unique blend of agriculture, industry, service, retail, education, and culture. Macomb serves as the county seat, with connections across the state with Amtrak providing twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in-between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).

WIU-Quad Cities: Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois, the WIU-Quad Cities campus is the only public four-year regional university that serves the Quad Cities region. Designed as a metropolitan commuter campus, WIU-Quad Cities offers select undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Moline is located just 80 miles north of the Macomb campus and is centered within a diverse, bi-state community of 383,000 that offers a broad range of cultural, social, and entertainment amenities and experiences, as well as varied businesses and industries.

WIU Commitment to Justice, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism

Western Illinois University fosters respect, equity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. WIU is committed to anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, social justice, and diversity. We value inclusion as a core value and as an essential element of Western's public service mission. WIU embraces individual uniqueness and a culture of inclusion that supports broad and specific diversity initiatives. Western believes in the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society as integral to the success of all individuals.
At WIU, we will:

• Maintain a safe and secure environment for all members of our University communities.
• Educate and empower students, staff, and faculty to be social justice advocates.
• Provide curricula, programs, training, resources, and environments that reflect and strengthen the diversity of our communities, and to elevate cultural awareness and understanding.
• Ensure fair, equitable, and inclusive access to University facilities, programs, resources, and services.
• Create inclusive and equitable policies and practices.
• Diversify the University's workforce by assessing hiring practices to attract, retain, and develop talented staff and faculty from diverse backgrounds.
• Address intergroup disparities through areas as representation, retention, learning outcomes, and graduation rates.
• Create a University wide diversity plan to ensure a continued commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, social justice, and diversity.

Academics

More than 61 undergraduate degree programs, 41 graduate programs, two doctoral programs and 16 post-baccalaureate certificate programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation.

Student Resources

More than 200 student organizations at Western provide social, academic, recreation, sports, service, and many other opportunities for students to grow and learn, develop leadership skills, and much more. Numerous concerts, lectures, films, dance performances, cultural events and more are presented and performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, and a variety of service-oriented projects and activities, all in a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The Multicultural Center is home to four cultural and resource centers: The Gwendolyn Brooks, Casa Latina, the Women's Center, and the LGBT*QA Resource Center. These cultural and resource centers promote WIU's goal of enhancing justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion through educational programming and advocacy.

WIU Intercollegiate Athletics

The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. Football competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision through the Missouri Valley Football Conference; all other varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Summit League.


Application Instructions:

Applicants will be required to upload a letter of application and current curriculum vitae or resume, as well as provide contact information for at least three professional references for their online application. Unofficial transcripts are required at the time of application; however, candidates chosen for on-campus visits will be required to submit official transcripts for continued consideration.

Please upload the requested documents by clicking APPLY NOW or by navigating to the WIU Employment page at the following URL: http://www.wiu.edu/employment/

Screening will begin on May 5, 2023 and will continue until position is filled.

Western Illinois University endeavors to provide a safe environment for its employees and students and requires candidates to submit to a background investigation upon offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon compliance with University policies and procedures relating to the receipt and evaluation of information contained in the background investigation.

Western Illinois University is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including, but not limited to, minorities, veterans, women and individuals with disabilities. WIU has a non-discrimination policy that includes discrimination based on an individual's membership in the following classes: sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other classes protected by state or federal law. Western Illinois University is a drug-free, smoke-free workplace.

Questions regarding the search may be directed to: Amelia Hartnett at HR-Recruitment@wiu.edu.

For assistance with the online application system contact the Human Resources at (309) 298-1971 or via email at HR-Recruitment@wiu.edu.



To apply, visit https://wiu.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=161073&CNTRNO=0&TSTMP=0



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