Government Relations Manager, Salt Lake City, UT

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Manages multi-region communication and coordination of lobbying efforts on behalf of the University.

• Develops and strengthen relationships with elected officials, policy makers, and leaders of appropriate state agencies in highly diverse and complex environments.

• Monitors legislation and policy activities, updates and advises University partners about policy proposals and actions, and works with relevant University teams to analyze potential impacts on the University.

• Plans and implements multi-region events and other activities to support the University's government relations goals, such as statehouse days, town halls, affiliate visits, and meetings.

• Participate in the development of multiple state strategic initiatives in support of the University's government relations agenda, such as talking points, legislative summaries, factsheets, testimony, reports, and letters.

• Be an inspiring and motivational collaborator with individuals at all levels, and in all functions of the University. Initiate education and training opportunities to engage staff in and to demystify the legislative process.

• Authentically reflect and portray the mission of WGU. Become a reliable subject matter expert on student success, disruptive innovation, and competency-based education.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

The successful Government Relations Manager will have a record of achieving aggressive goals, while operating in a cross-functional capacity. The Government Relations Manager adeptly navigates external environments that may impact the University and its operations. S/he effectively engages University partners, and is probing, open-minded, and solution oriented. S/he will also be comfortable with ambiguity, willing to experiment and make decisions with less than perfect information. Must be able to clearly articulate WGU's purpose, mission, vision and goals, and able to motivate others to achieve those goals. These qualities are driven by the following competencies:

• Student focus - always keeps the student at the center of what we do, and why we do it. Makes decisions and guides efforts to improve and expand value and opportunity for students and employers. Demonstrated and documented record of accomplishment in developing intergovernmental relationships and pursuing opportunities to enhance the University's offerings and positioning in higher education.

• Integrity - we do what is right even when no one is watching. This is a foundational principle as to how we interact with all people and is vitally important in a role that represents the University before external audiences, many whom have the ability to impact the environment in which the University operates.

• Execution- and Results-oriented - focused on results, not just activity. Exceptional skill and demonstrated success in establishing and improving governmental relationships and opportunity, in a higher education leadership role.

• Initiative - self-directs with a strong bias for action, leads the way in improvement of performance and opportunities for our students and the University.

• Managerial courage - willing to tackle difficult topics and conventional thinking; doesn't hold anything back that needs to be said.

• Strategic thinking - applies broad strategic direction, with university-wide impact, and in a distributed organization context.

• Being Resilient - operates confidently under pressure, maintains a positive attitude despite adversity, and bounces back from obstacles and setbacks, while growing from hardship and negative experiences.

• Develops and earns trust - works effectively across functions, internalizing their motivations and priorities, and energizing others' engagement in devising solutions and driving execution; a personal style that favors inquiry over advocacy, listening over speaking.

• Innovation - collaborates to form bold visions, navigates the political environment, and delivers results.

• Clear, effective communicator - exceptional and persuasive communication skills, oral and written, in addressing external and internal audiences; while successfully balancing the appropriate levels of decorum and respect for office holders while asserting the positions of the University, necessary to advance student opportunity.

• Great judgment - Deals effectively with paradox; exhibits good instincts, while willing to make tough calls, with some degree of adaptability.

Competencies:

Organizational Impact:

• Works to achieveoperational targets withsignificant to majorimpact on department,Function, or Officeresults. May beresponsible for managinglarge projects orprocesses within thedepartment,function, oroffice.

• Performs workas directed withlimited oversight.

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Responsible forleveraging a systems-thinkingapproach,makingmoderate tosignificant contributions to processes, systems,and plans within thedepartment, Function, orOffice.

• Problems and issuesfaced are numerous andchallenging,willrequiredetailed informationgathering and analysis.Problems typically affectmultiple areas orspecialties.

Communication & Influence:

• Collaborates cross-functionally withemployeeswithin and outside ofthedepartment.Typicallyhasresponsibility forcommunicating withparties external to theUniversity.

• Works to influenceparties within andoutside thedepartment, Function, orOffice regarding policies,procedures, andpractices.

Leadership & Talent Management

• Isresponsible forcollaborating withother employees in thedepartment, Function, orOffice.Responsible for managingprojects involvingdelegation of work andreview of others' workproducts.

• Demonstratesthe WGUleadership principles inall aspects of service tostudents, employees,andpartners ofWGU.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of relevant experience with abachelor'sdegree,or3+ years and amaster'sdegree or adoctorate orterminal degree

Department Specific Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree required. Advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum five (5) years of managing successful multi-state lobbying initiatives, with experience in higher education and academic operations highly desired, or minimum two (2) years employment with WGU and involvement in Government Relations practice area projects or analogous engagement on behalf of WGU students

Preferred Qualifications:

• Employment experience with WGU, most preferred in student-facing role

• May have broad knowledge of project management.

• Ability to travel

• Schedule flexibility to include occasional evenings and weekends

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

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Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.