USC University Relations (UR) advances the university’s mission and USC’s role as a civic leader and anchor institution. The department’s scope includes community partnerships, civic engagement, government relations, small business, non-profit accelerators, USC's seven Head Start early childhood education centers, pre-K to career neighborhood education programs, and Classical California—the nation's largest classical music provider.
We are hiring an Assistant Director of Local Government Relations to join the department’s Local Government Relations team within University Relations’ Civic Engagement Department. Reporting to the Vice President of Local Government Relations and Civic Engagement, this multifaceted role will advance USC’s policy priorities at local levels of government. The Assistant Director will serve as a key member of the University's Local Government Relations function, providing policy analysis, advocacy strategy, government-relations execution, and stakeholder engagement in support of the university's institutional priorities before the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, and other regional governmental entities.
The Assistant Director will work in close coordination with the Associate Vice President for Community Partnerships and other Civic Engagement leaders to ensure alignment between the university's government relations, community engagement, and institutional priorities.
Position Responsibilities:
The Assistant Director of Local Government Relations is responsible for researching, analyzing, and evaluating local legislative and regulatory issues to update and advise the Vice President of Local Government Relations and Civic Engagement on appropriate strategic solutions for advocacy and public policy that may impact the university. In addition, this role monitors government matters and policies of interest for the university. The incumbent builds relations with trade associations, civic organizations, and community leaders to present the university’s positions on critical legislative and regulatory matters. The Assistant Director:
- Monitors, reviews, researches, analyzes, and evaluates legislative and regulatory issues and government policies to update and advise on appropriate strategic solutions for advocacy and public policy that may impact the university, at the direction of the VP. These impacts include but are not limited to those that may affect university funding, campus operations, campus facilities, land use development, research, and student affairs.
- Communicates new and revised legislation and regulations to appropriate university stakeholders and supports coordination of institutional responses and implementation, as appropriate.
- Collaborates with internal stakeholders on regulatory and policy impacts. This includes, but is not limited to, partnering with academic units, research centers, campus planning, legal counsel, and finance departments to gather data and build institutional consensus on public policy matters.
- Prepares regular briefings, presentations, policy updates, letters of support/opposition, legislative updates, white papers and executive memos for university leadership and stakeholders.
- Provides analytical and administrative support to internal leadership committees and working groups.
- Prepares university leaders, faculty experts, and campus representatives for participation in land use hearings, legislative hearings, regional government task forces, and community meetings.
- Prepares advocacy plans and engages in advocacy activities representing the university.
- Under direction of the VP, represents university interests in regional coalitions, higher education advocacy associations, and liaises with representatives from the City of Los Angeles, County Board of Supervisors, and local advocacy groups.
- Assists in coordinating and maintaining critical relationships between the university and local trade organizations.
- Works collaboratively with internal federal, state, and health government relations teams and other University Relations colleagues to develop relationships with key elected officials and their staff/committee members to promote university initiatives and programs.
- Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and can contribute through their ideas, words, and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.
May require work, and travel, on weekends, evenings and/or holidays, based on business necessity.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- 5 years with government relations, legislative or public affairs management or equivalent. Demonstrated strategic advocacy experience.
- Demonstrated strong project management, time management, organizational and critical thinking skills; able to adjust to changing demands and pressing issues.
- Exemplary oral and written communication skills, exercising diplomacy, tact, discretion and confidentiality while interacting with various communities of colleagues.
- Ability to compile and summarize information in succinct, understandable reports and formats for various audiences including, but not limited to, executive memoranda for senior executives, communications with various trade associations and community leaders.
- Thorough understanding of the City of Los Angeles and County of Los Angeles legislative and budgetary processes.
- Understanding of operations of City of Los Angeles and County of Los Angeles committees.
- Experience with or specific knowledge of public policies and regulatory issues in Los Angeles, the Southern California region and statewide that could impact universities.
- Ability to evaluate complex problems/emerging policy issues and identify their potential implications for the university.
- Effective relationship-building and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a coalition. Ability to work collaboratively with other USC departments.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills for collaborating across multiple departments, building consensus strategies, tracking issues, and implementing plans.
- Ability to influence, negotiate with, and persuade others.
- Ability to engage in sophisticated/strategic thinking to determine how best to influence elected officials and other policymakers.
- Ability to translate strategies into tactical plans and operationalize them into successful outcomes.
- Ability to think broadly across issue areas and develop action plans integrating communications and civic engagement strategies.
- Consistent exercise of independent and sound judgment and discretion in matters of significance.
- Demonstrates the highest level of ethics and integrity.
- Personal interest in civic and community engagement, and specifically in the development of human beings and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit, all of which are central to USC’s mission.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s or professional degree.
- 7 years with government relations, legislative or public affairs management or equivalent. Demonstrated strategic advocacy experience.
- Basic understanding of State legislative processes, Congressional processes and their respective critical committees.
- Comfortable with public speaking.
- Familiarity with neighborhoods surrounding USC campuses.
Required Documents and Additional Information
- Resume and cover letter required (may be submitted as one attachment).
This position's annual base salary range is $110,000 - $118,949. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, essential skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
Minimum Experience: 5 years in governmental relations and policy.
Minimum Skills: Demonstrated leadership skills and experience, able to establish strong relationships with government officials and agencies. Experience with public policies and regulatory issues in Los Angeles, the Southern California region, and statewide. Ability to lead with influence, expertise, and advocacy with key internal/external stakeholders. Demonstrated interpersonal skills for collaborating across multiple departments, building consensus strategies and implementing plans. Exemplary oral and written communication skills, exercising diplomacy, tact, discretion and confidentiality while interacting with various communities of colleagues. Ability to compile and summarize information in succinct, understandable reports and formats. Demonstrated project management, organizational and critical thinking skills, able to adjust to changing demands and pressing issues.
Preferred Education: Master's degree
Preferred Experience: 7 years
USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
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