Associate Director for Federal Government Relations

Job no:
Work type: Staff
Location: VCU Main Campus
Categories: Legal, Audit and Compliance

Position Overview: The Associate Director will work closely with the Assistant Vice President to pursue University and Health System policy and funding goals, strengthen relationships in Congress and the Executive Branch, support internal stakeholders, raise the profile of VCU and VCU Health with the federal government and national peers, and engage with association partners. The Associate Director will collaborate in the development of federal legislative priorities and execute strategies that advance the overall interests of VCU and VCU Health. In doing so, the Associate Director will conduct and initiate policy and political analysis of key issues, prepare issue briefs, and convey institutional positions and activities to internal constituencies, Congress, and the Executive Branch. The Associate Director will play a key role in providing strategic analysis and policy expertise on a variety of topics, including higher education, research, and health care. Additionally, the Associate Director will facilitate meetings for students, faculty, and administrators with federal officials and manage events in DC and Richmond involving federal officials and their staff.

This is a newly created position at VCU; therefore, the successful candidate will be a motivated self-starter and collaborative team member. Strong oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills are critical. The candidate must possess the ability to multi-task, quickly grasp details of a wide variety of policy issues, and connect daily regulatory and legislative developments to VCU and VCU Health's overarching goals of student success, research excellence, and patient care.

VCU's federal relations team is based in Washington, D.C. and serves as the primary liaison between Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU Health, and federal policymakers. This position will support the federal engagement efforts of both organizations. The role is hybrid and based in Washington, D.C., with regular travel required to VCU's campus in Richmond.

Key Responsibilities:
• Collaborate in the development of federal legislative priorities and develop strategies that advance the overall interests of VCU and VCU Health
• Identify, develop, and execute on opportunities for VCU and VCU Health to influence congressional and federal agencies' actions and rulemaking
• Identify, develop, and execute on opportunities to raise VCU and VCU Health's profile among policymakers and national peers
• Develop and cultivate strategic connections with federal policymakers and staff
• Draft internal and external communications, including background memos for senior leaders, legislative updates, letters to Congress, public comments, and talking points
• Research, track, and report on federal legislative, budgetary, and regulatory actions that impact the institution
• Manage events on Capitol Hill and in Richmond that involve federal government officials and their staff, such as campus visits, roundtables, advocacy days, and receptions
• Represent VCU and VCU Health in external coalitions, associations, and advocacy groups
• Ability to serve as a registered lobbyist and complete required lobbying disclosures

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's Degree
• At least 5 years of legislative experience in a government role or comparable position in government relations or policy at a private sector organization (including a trade association, university, health care organization, law or lobbying firm, foundation, or advocacy group)
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Strong working knowledge of the federal legislative and regulatory processes, including the congressional budget and appropriations process
• Ability to establish and build healthy working relationships and partnerships with internal colleagues, members of Congress and their staff, Executive Branch officials, and national associations
• Track record of working independently to develop and implement strategic initiatives
• A strong sense of accountability, including a commitment to organizing, prioritizing, and planning work activities in a timely manner
• Ability to innovate while managing competing and shifting demands in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with elected officials and VCU and VCU Health senior leadership
• Experience devising and executing legislative or regulatory strategies to advance a policy goal
• Ability to recognize and protect confidential information and exercise tact, good judgment, and diplomacy in handling sensitive situations
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Expertise in higher education, research, and/or health policy
• Understanding of the structure and operations of major research universities and/or academic health systems
• Connection to the Commonwealth of Virginia and/or VCU

Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,400

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 25911Y - Administrator LG 1

Advertised: 18 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

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