Vice President for Government Relations

The Vice President for Government & Community Relations is responsible for providing strategic vision, leadership, and effective management of the University's state, local, and federal government relations. The vice president reports to the president of the University and serves as a member of the president's cabinet and key partner to University leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and manage a coordinated strategy for the University of Minnesota system to cultivate and manage relationships with elected leaders, stakeholders and constituencies at the federal, state, and local levels with a goal to articulate the University's priorities, and increase support of the University's mission
• Represent the University's interests at the State Capitol, with Congress and the federal Executive Branch, State Government agencies including the Governor, before local units of government, and community organizations and campus neighbors
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy issues at the state and federal levels
• Serve as the University's lead advocate at the state and federal levels in support of the land-grant mission, academic excellence, unique value, and economic impact
• Engage University leaders, faculty, students, staff, and alumni as appropriate, in advocacy efforts
• Develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with national higher education policy and advocacy groups and associations (eg. AAU, APLU, etc.)
• Provide management and leadership of the University's Government & Community Relations team
• Development and oversight of annual budget for Government & Community Relations
• Oversee all University of Minnesota legislatively mandated/required reports

The Vice President is a 100%-time, 12-month, professional and administrative (P&A) appointment based in Minneapolis. Salary is commensurate with education and experience, with an anticipated salary range of $350,000-$420,000.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 15 years of professional experience
• Solid understanding of the state, federal legislative, and executive processes
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team of professionals with a broad range of portfolios
• Track record of success in legislative advocacy and persuasion
• Ability to set a strategic vision and create public affairs plans and strategies
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong relationships and effective partnerships
• Excellent oral, writing, and interpersonal communication skills
• Able to mobilize diverse constituent groups and balance competing demands, priorities, and needs of multiple stakeholders
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple, diverse constituencies
• Experience with crisis and issues management
• Demonstrates exceptional judgment, discretion, integrity and flexibility

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree
• Experience working in a complex, decentralized environment
• Experience developing and leading successful legislative strategies in Minnesota and Washington DC
• Understanding of the breadth and complexity of a major research university

UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP

President Rebecca Cunningham

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents selected Dr. Rebecca Cunningham as the 18th President of the University of Minnesota System, effective July 1, 2024. The Board chose Cunningham following a thorough and public search that engaged thousands of students, faculty, and staff in listening sessions and public forums on all five campuses.

Dr. Rebecca Cunningham most recently served as the vice president for research and innovation at the University of Michigan, where she was responsible for fostering excellence and upholding the University's public mission in research, scholarship, and creative practice across three campuses and a health system. During her leadership tenure, the University expanded its research volume to a record $1.86 billion annually as Dr. Cunningham led the design and implementation of the first comprehensive review of the University of Michigan research, scholarship, and creative practice enterprise.

A faculty member in the University of Michigan Schools of Public Health and Medicine since 1999, Dr. Cunningham previously served as the associate vice president for research-health sciences, where she oversaw research faculty affairs and partnered with colleagues across disciplines to facilitate and energize the University's research agenda. Dr. Cunningham served in various leadership positions earlier in her career, including as associate chair of emergency medicine and director of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-sponsored Injury Prevention Center at the University of Michigan As a researcher, Dr. Cunningham has earned continuous federal research funding for more than 25 years as a principal investigator and is a National Academy of Medicine member.

Dr. Cunningham holds a bachelor's degree from Fairfield University and a medical doctorate from Jefferson Medical College. She completed her residency in emergency medicine at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor and a postdoctoral research fellowship with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Pay Range: $350,000 - $425,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Finalists will be asked to provide references.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).