Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY: ACE is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practice. As the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, our strength lies in our diverse membership of more than 1,700 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. For more information, please visit or follow ACE on Twitter @ACEducation.
The Director works as part of the ACE Government Relations team and serves as a primary contact between the Council and the legislative and executive branch on specific issues. They represent ACE in meetings with members of Congress, congressional staff, Department of Education, White House and other Executive Branch officials. Builds relationships with influential policymakers. Responsible for setting and achieving Council’s legislative and regulatory goals in the area of their portfolio. Leads and orchestrates strategic consensus-building among higher education association colleagues around public policy initiatives.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES OR TASKS: - Manages an extensive portfolio of legislative and regulatory issues, in coordination with the ACE Government Relations team.
- Maintains close working relationships with congressional staff to shape or influence proposed and existing legislation throughout the legislative process. Develops legislative proposals and drafts legislative language as necessary.
- Actively engages with Administration officials on issues important to higher education. Meets with and communicates frequently with Department of Education, Department of Defense, Veterans Administration, and White House staff to address policy matters.
- In coordination with the Vice President and Chief of Staff, identifies, commissions, and oversees special initiatives such as studies, white papers, surveys, or task forces.
- Collaborates with ACE Vice President and General Counsel on litigation engagement, including amicus briefs, legislative and regulatory on issues within policy portfolio and the work of General Counsel.
- Collaborates and represents GR with other divisions within ACE, including Education Futures, on issues of importance to the organization.
- Functions as a primary government relations resource for the broader higher education community, representing ACE to all internal and external audiences.
- Serves as a resource for the media on policy and legislation that affects colleges and universities, and on ACE’s views and actions in response to such proposals.
- Writes testimony, position statements, legislative and regulatory commentary and gathers endorsements from the other higher education associations as needed.
- Produces or manages the production of timely summaries and legislative analysis for members on relevant legislation, important hearings, and policy proposals in coordination with public affairs.
- Facilitates collaboration among the higher education associations and other stakeholders, including chairing association meetings and/or committees to develop community positions.
- Supervises and coordinates the work of specifically designated junior Government Relations staff and interns.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS: Minimum Qualifications:
- Ten or more years of directly relevant experience in government, advocacy, or public policy.
- Leadership, team building, management skills.
- Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and policy challenges.
- Collaborative approach and consensus-building skills.
- Ability to speak and write clearly and compellingly.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- In-depth knowledge of the Congress, the legislative process, the federal government, and the regulatory process.
- Ability to support, encourage, and mentor staff.
- Ability to think strategically and tactically to envision and implement successful advocacy campaigns.
- Requires an understanding of, and appreciation for, the diversity of American higher education.
Preferred Qualifications:
- An advanced degree in a relevant field.
- History working for and/or with the higher education community, including (but not limited to) institutions, associations, think tanks and federal agencies.
- Experience managing policy and advocacy work related to veterans and active-duty military educational programs and benefits.
- Experience managing policy and advocacy work on campus safety and civil rights.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT: Hybrid with a minimum of three in-person days a week at 1 Dupont Circle, Washington, DC 20036; some travel as necessary.
SALARY: $135,812 to $169,765
**Please submit a resume and cover letter Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) ACE USA
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