Director of State Relations and Advocacy

Title: Director of State Relations and Advocacy

Employee Classification: Executive/Admin & Managerial

Institution: System Office

Department: Government and Public Relations, Office of External Affairs

Campus

Location:

Tennessee Board of Regents System Office

The Director of State Relations and Advocacy will support and execute the Tennessee Board of Regents’ state legislative and advocacy strategy under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Government and Public Relations. Working closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, the Director will implement advocacy plans, build and sustain relationships with members of the Tennessee General Assembly, state officials, agency partners, and other policy stakeholders, and advance the System’s established budget, policy, workforce development, and student success priorities.

The Director will carry out legislative outreach and engagement strategies; coordinate meetings, briefings, materials, and communications; and represent T  in meetings, hearings, events, and other public-policy settings, as assigned. In partnership with the Director of Legislation, the Director will use legislative monitoring and analysis to inform timely advocacy and stakeholder-engagement activities and will help communicate the potential impact of legislative activity on the T  System.

The Director will coordinate and manage the planning and execution of T ’s annual Day on the Hill event, including engagement with colleges, legislators, partners, and internal departments. The position will also support other strategic government relations events, stakeholder engagement efforts, and legislative communications throughout the year. This position serves in a cross-functional role with the other directors in the Department of Government and Public Relations.

• 30% - Legislative Liaison Under the direction of the AVC for Government and Public Relations and EVC for External Affairs, represent T  at legislative committee meetings, hearings, and events. Execute outreach and advocacy plans with members of the General Assembly, state officials, and other policy stakeholders; facilitate communication between T  leadership and state government officials; respond to legislative information requests; and prepare talking points, background materials, and policy messages tailored to assigned audiences.
  
  Coordinate pre‑meetings with key legislators in advance of T ’s annual legislative budget hearings and other priority legislative engagements.
  
  - (Essential)
• 25% - Legislation Monitoring In coordination with the Director of Legislation, monitor proposed state legislation affecting T ’s community and technical colleges and assess legislative schedules, committee calendars, and other governmental meetings to support strategic engagement. Maintain legislative tracking systems; prepare bill summaries and background materials; identify items requiring advocacy outreach or further review; and support weekly bill‑review meetings.
  
  - (Essential)
• 15% - Legislative Strategy Support the implementation of T ’s annual legislative agenda and budget priorities by coordinating advocacy activities, legislative outreach, stakeholder communications, and follow‑up. Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Department of Government and Public Relations and other T  departments to ensure advocacy activities align with the System’s broader communications and public‑policy strategy.
  
  - (Essential)
• 15% - Relationship Building Build and maintain productive relationships with legislators, legislative staff, state officials, college administrators, and other external stakeholders in support of T ’s established legislative and advocacy…