VP, Corporate Affairs and Governance at Universities Space Research Association in Columbia, MD

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

University Relations

Lead and manage the work of the Director, University Relations, who is responsible for supporting the work of the USRA Council of Institutions, currently comprised of representatives from USRA’s 113 member universities. Manage and support for the work of advisory councils, which provide independent counsel to the President and CEO and other members of the Board of Trustees on the operation of USRA’s institutes and programs.

Public Policy Advocacy

Lead and manage the work of the Director, Government Relations, who is responsible for communications with members of Congress and congressional staff. USRA provides a voice in Washington for the university community engaged in space-related research and education through its Issues and Program Committee. The Committee is comprised of university representatives drawn from across the nine geographic regions composing USRA’s membership. The Committee formulates public policy positions for which USRA conducts congressional advocacy.

External Communications

Lead and manage the work of the Director, External Communications, who is responsible for corporate communication to the media, including issuance of press releases and the organization of press conferences at scientific meetings. Lead and manage corporate communications including various social media, and the production of the corporate annual report.

Corporate Governance

Support the corporate governance role of the USRA Board of Trustees, including the Board Committee on Governance, Nominations, and Membership, and the Board Committee on University Engagement. Support the nomination and election process for new members to the Board, working with USRA’s Council of Institutions.

Ethics and Compliance

Serve as the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer (CECO), by appointment by the USRA President and Chief Executive Officer and the concurrence of the Audit, Finance, and Risk Management Committee of the Board of Trustees. The CECO constitutes and chairs the Executive Compliance Committee (ECC), whose members are executives and officers collectively knowledgeable about USRA’s compliance and ethics policies and procedures. The ECC works to ensure that policies and procedures are reasonably designed, implemented, enforced, and generally effective at preventing and detecting violations of law and regulations, and violations of ethical principles of conduct.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. Advanced degree a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 15+ years relevant experience.
• Familiarity with government sponsored research, including that conducted in a university setting.
• Familiarity with the budgeting process of the Federal government, including both the Executive and Legislative branches.
• Knowledge of government relations and advocacy.
• Knowledge of communications with the media.
• Knowledge of corporate ethics and compliance.
• Familiarity with nonprofit governance.