Assistant Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations

04/06/2026

Salary commensurate with experience

40 hours weekly

A resume and letter of interest is required to apply. Candidates under final consideration will also be required to submit professional references, college degree information, and employment history to an online third-party vendor.

For more than 140 years, The University of Texas System has improved the lives of Texans - and people all over the world - through education, health care, and research. The System consists of nine academic institutions, four health institutions, and The University of Texas System Administration. The institutions of the UT System employ more than 160,000 faculty, health care professionals, researchers, support staff, and student workers.

The UT System Administration is primarily based in Austin, Texas. It supports the missions of the System's thirteen institutions by providing financial, legal, planning, purchasing, government relations, communications, development, and other central services. Serving a growing state, the UT System Administration strives to provide a welcoming, supportive work environment that embraces different perspectives - not only because it enables the organization to be stronger, creative, and thoughtful, but because it is the right thing to do. To that end, UT System Administration embraces state laws on military and former foster children employment preferences.

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations & Academic Policy serves as a key support leader and advisor within the UT System Administration. This position helps advance UT System initiatives by supporting legislative, regulatory, and academic policy efforts and coordinating communication with Texas Legislature, executive branch agencies, Legislative Budget Board, and other governmental entities. The Assistant Vice Chancellor works closely with the Deputy Chancellor and Senior Policy Advisor, Associate Vice Chancellors, Executive Vice Chancellors, the UT institution presidents, executive leadership, and external stakeholders to promote higher education policy, legislative priorities, and academic excellence across the UT System.

This position provides supporting leadership for governmental relations and policy initiatives, ensuring alignment across UT institutions while contributing analysis, coordination, and issue management affecting both academic and health institutions, as well as all aspects of higher education policy.

• Support the development, alignment, and execution of state and federal legislative strategies that advance UT System priorities in higher education, health, and research.
• Conduct policy and legislative research, prepare analyses, and contribute recommendations that inform UT System leadership.
• Assist in representing the UT System in legislative hearings, policy forums, stakeholder meetings, and relevant workgroups.
• Assists in coordinating communications between the U. T. System, appropriate component institutions, state agencies, associations, the Governor, Texas Legislature and other Executive Officers.
• Serve as a liaison to state, federal, and local officials on assigned issues, advocating for UT System initiatives and communicating positions as directed.
• Help maintain and cultivate effective, trust-based relationships with elected officials, agency staff, and higher education partners.
• Coordinate communication and information flow among the UT System, component institutions, state agencies, associations, the Governor's Office, the Legislature, and Executive Branch leadership.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, legislative documents, presentations, and responses to information requests from state officials and executive agencies.
• Monitor activities of legislative committees, regulatory bodies, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; provide timely analysis and updates.
• Track and interpret legislation impacting academic and health policy, higher education governance, and UT Systemwide initiatives.
• Identify emerging issues, potential barriers, and key government stakeholders and recommend solutions-oriented engagement strategies.
• Contribute to complex projects and initiatives, such as task forces and policy committees, in support of the Deputy Chancellor, Associate Vice Chancellor, and Executive Vice Chancellors.
• Support the preparation of official UT System documents and materials for executive and legislative offices.
• Maintain subject matter expertise in governmental relations, academic policy, and regulatory affairs.
• Engage in relevant professional development to stay informed about legislative and higher-education developments.
• Perform other duties assigned.

• Exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities in healthcare and academic settings.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Understanding of compliance and accreditation standards with academic and health-related institutions.
• Ability to manage institutional relationships.
• Knowledge of higher education appropriations, finance, and internal budgets.
• Ability to analyze legislation and amendments ensuring statutory clarity, and compliance with legal and procedural requirements.

• Bachelor's degree and 10 years of experience in governmental relations, public administration, or higher education policy, or
• Master's degree and 8 years of experience in governmental relations, public administration, or higher education policy.
• Demonstrated experience working with legislative bodies, executive agencies, and academic institutions.
• Strong understanding of Texas legislative processes and higher education governance.

• Master's degree in public policy, education, law, or related field
• Experience in a university system or institution of higher education.
• Working knowledge of State of Texas and higher education governance;
• Knowledge of the State Fiscal Review process.
• Highly proficient using commercial software packages, such as Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with PeopleSoft.

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Uses standard office equipment.
• 25% Travel.
• Requires occasional evening or weekend hours.

The standard retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. However, the incumbent of this position may elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Participation in either TRS or ORP is mandatory.

A background check will be conducted on applicants under final consideration. The background check may include any or all of the following: criminal history check, prior employment verification, education verification, professional references check, and motor vehicle records check. Background checks are conducted by third-party vendors. Upon request from the third-party vendor, candidates under final consideration must provide the required information for the background checks to be completed.

The University of Texas System Administration is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees in all terms and conditions of employment. U. T. System will provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws.

For information on accommodations for individuals with disabilities, please contact the Office of Talent and Innovation at oti@utsystem.edu.