Executive Director of Federal Government Relations

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name – RICE – Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Working directly with the Vice President for Public Affairs and the campus, state and local government relations leads, this position will provide strategic and managerial direction for federal relations and Washington D.C. based strategic elevation for Rice. The position is responsible for developing and executing strategies to advance Rice's institutional mission and academic interests. The Executive Director of Federal Government Relations will work with federal elected officials, Executive Branch officials, and their respective staffs;

represent Rice in national, regional, and local coalitions and associations to advance Rice's policy interests; develop strong relationships with the Texas congressional delegation, their staff, and other relevant members of Congress and congressional staff; and facilitate campus-based and D.C.

-based events and visits. The Executive director will develop strong relationships with Rice senior administrators, deans, institute directors and key faculty members to ensure the Office of Public Affairs (PA) and Government Relations (GR) department is strategically focused, advocating for Rice University's most important federal priorities, and effectively leveraging the PA team's capabilities to amplify the impact of GR's work. The position will have a primary location in Washington, D.C. and will need the ability to travel to Houston and Austin.

Hybrid position:
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is an exempt (salaried) position under FLSA and not eligible for overtime.

• Bachelors degree
• Five years of related governmental affairs professional experience, including service in local, state or federal government or as lobbyist for a university, corporation or nonprofit institution.
  • In lieu of the education/experience requirement, additional related education and/or experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.

• Understanding of the federal legislative process--including appropriations--and regulatory rule making procedures, demonstrated through the development and execution of strategies advancing policy goals.
• Extensive Capitol Hill and/or executive branch experience and a track record of relevant achievements.
• Exemplary networking ability demonstrated by extensive federal contacts.
• Effective support and advisory leadership capacity.
• Clear, concise, proactive and effective communication and problem-solving, ensuring internal alignment and organizational success.
• Ability to think critically and creatively about public policy.
• Practices professionalism, confidentiality and discretion, within the context of higher education and the federal relations industries.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work in a team and effectively manage meetings.
• Broadly computer literate, with specialized capabilities relevant to the nature of the work…