University of Southern California · 6 hours ago
Senior Executive Director of State Government Relations
Sacramento, CA
Contract
Onsite
Director/Executive
$150K/yr - $175K/yr
7+ years expThe University of Southern California is seeking a Senior Executive Director for State Government Relations to join their University Relations department. This role involves advancing the university’s public affairs in the State Capitol of California, managing state issues, and building relationships with key public officials and agencies.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Serve as USC’s day-to-day representative in the State Capitol including as a registered lobbyist. Develop and maintain positive relationships with public officials, staff, and partners
Advise the Vice President and other senior university leaders on effective strategies and advocacy that advance USC’s higher education and research missions
Manage state issues including proactively identifying, analyzing, and monitoring legislation and policies that impact the university and higher education
Prepare regular and timely briefings, policy updates and presentations on key issues
Represent USC with membership and trade associations on state-related matters
Develop advocacy and issues-related programming that amplifies USC in Sacramento. This includes managing the USC Trojan Caucus and supporting other USC events in Sacramento
Serve as a resource and partner to campus stakeholders including senior leadership, deans, faculty, staff, and students. This includes during visits to Sacramento
Staff internal USC policy working groups on issues impacting the university
Work collaboratively with colleagues on the local, federal, and health government relations teams and other University Relations colleagues on matters of shared interest
Qualification
Required
Master's degree or professional degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience as substitute for minimum education
Minimum of seven (7) years within state government relations, legislative or public affairs management or equivalent experience, preferably in Sacramento
Preferred
10 years of experience within state government relations, legislative or public affairs management
Thorough understanding of the California legislative and budgetary process
Demonstrated strategic advocacy experience including successfully managing legislative, regulatory, and/or other state policy related initiatives
Ability to evaluate complex problems and emerging policy issues, develop actionable strategies and then operationalize into successful action plans and outcomes
Ability to think broadly across issue areas and develop action plans that also integrate communications and civic engagement strategies
Strong organizational, project management, and time management ability
Excellent written and verbal communications including comfortable with public speaking and clearly presenting complex policy topics to various audiences
Working knowledge of the higher education area including challenges, and opportunities. Specific knowledge of state policy issues impacting higher education
Proven, positive relationship-building and inter-personal collaboration skills
Ability to work independently and part of a coalition. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and across a complex institution
Experience with political compliance and reporting
Consistent exercise of sound judgment and discretion in matters of significance
Uncompromising ethics and integrity
Personal interest in and commitment to higher education and the success of the students, faculty, and researchers
Quarterly travel to Los Angeles for campus meetings and events
Benefits
USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future.
Company
University of Southern California
University of Southern California is a private research university offering opportunities for interdisciplinary study and collaboration.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Southern California has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (253)
2024 (239)
2023 (172)
2022 (207)
2021 (182)
2020 (195)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$19.64MKey Investors
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research InstituteCalifornia Institute for Regenerative MedicineCDA Foundation
2025-02-04Grant· $10.8M
2025-01-30Grant· $5.93M
2024-07-30Grant
Leadership Team
David A Barnhart
Director, USC Space Engineering Research Center
H
Hossein Pourmand
Assistant Vice President, Research Initiatives, University Advancement
Recent News
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