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The Role
Lead academic state relations and appropriations strategy for the university. Build relationships with Texas legislators and agencies, monitor legislation and budgets, draft testimony and advocacy materials, advise senior leadership, coordinate institutional responses, and collaborate with system and higher-education partners to advance policy and funding priorities.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Assistant VP (AVP) of Governmental Relations serves as a member of the Governmental Relations leadership team and as the lead officer responsible for academic state relations. Maintains positive, effective relationships with the Texas Legislature and relevant areas of state government, with a focus on higher education policy and finance, including funding formulas and other appropriations strategies. The AVP oversees the development of strategies to impact state appropriations and legislation affecting UT San Antonio and works with the Senior Vice President and other members of the Governmental Relations team to support the strategic advancement of the University’s mission across both the academic and health campuses. This is a hybrid position that works in Austin and San Antonio. Austin will be the primary work location.
Responsibilities- At the direction of the Senior Vice President and in collaboration with the Office of Governmental Relations, develops and executes a coordinated state government relations plan aligned with the University's strategic priorities.
- Serves as the lead officer for academic state relations and a key institutional advocate on Article III higher education policy and budget matters affecting the academic and health enterprises.
- Develops and maintains effective relationships with state legislators, legislative staff, executive-branch officials, state agencies, and other stakeholders to advance University priorities.
- Leads state appropriations strategy, including funding formulas, exceptional items, research funding mechanisms, and other budget priorities.
- Monitors and analyzes legislation, appropriations proposals, agency rules, and long-range policy developments; evaluates potential fiscal, operational, and reputational impacts.
- Provides timely written and verbal briefings to the Senior Vice President, President, executive leadership, and appropriate administrative offices; recommends institutional positions and actions.
- Drafts position papers, testimony, talking points, fiscal analyses, legislative language, amendments, reports, and other advocacy materials that accurately reflect University interests.
- Coordinates institutional responses, submissions, and information requests involving state agencies and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to support timely action and compliance.
- Coordinates with UT System governmental relations leadership and colleagues across Texas public higher education on shared policy, finance, and legislative priorities.
- Collaborates with Emerging Research Universities and National Research Support Fund universities to advance research-university strategies in Texas.
- Advises and prepares senior leaders, deans, faculty, staff, and students for interactions with elected and appointed officials, legislative hearings, and external constituencies.
- Builds coalitions and consensus among internal and external stakeholders to strengthen support for University policy and funding priorities.
- Represents the University on internal and external committees, working groups, hearings, briefings, and stakeholder meetings.
- Ensures government relations activities comply with applicable laws, ethics requirements, UT System policies, and institutional protocols; maintains appropriate records and communications.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Expert knowledge of the Texas legislative, appropriations, and rulemaking processes, including Article III higher education funding and formula methodologies.
- Advanced ability to evaluate bills, budgets, and policy proposals and translate complex issues into clear fiscal and strategic implications.
- Skill in developing and executing government relations and advocacy strategies aligned with institutional objectives.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills and the ability to establish credibility with elected officials, legislative staff, agency leaders, and higher education partners.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare legislation, testimony, position papers, executive briefings, and messaging.
- Ability to build consensus, negotiate effectively, and coordinate among senior leaders and stakeholders with differing priorities.
- Sound judgment, political acumen, discretion, and a demonstrated commitment to ethical and nonpartisan conduct.
- Ability to manage multiple time-sensitive priorities during legislative sessions and across a complex academic and health enterprise.
- Ability to anticipate policy, regulatory, and reputational risks and recommend timely, practical action
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence — advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more. With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture.
Benefits Overview
UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits.
Medical - UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists. Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.
Dental - Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist.
Vision - Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.
Disability - Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.
FSAs - Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Retirement - Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees. Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers.
Time Off - A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:
- Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
- Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
- Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
- Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.
Discounts - Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.
EEO Statement
UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
Skills Required
- Expert knowledge of Texas legislative, appropriations, and rulemaking processes (Article III higher education funding and formula methodologies).
- Ability to evaluate bills, budgets, and policy proposals and translate into clear fiscal and strategic implications.
- Skill in developing and executing government relations and advocacy strategies aligned with institutional objectives.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills with elected officials, legislative staff, agency leaders, and higher education partners.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication, including preparing legislation, testimony, position papers, and executive briefings.
- Ability to build consensus, negotiate effectively, and coordinate among senior leaders and stakeholders.
- Sound judgment, political acumen, discretion, and commitment to ethical and nonpartisan conduct.
- Ability to manage multiple time-sensitive priorities during legislative sessions across academic and health enterprises.
- Ability to anticipate policy, regulatory, and reputational risks and recommend timely, practical action.
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The Company
What We Do
UT Health San Antonio™, one of the country’s leading health sciences universities, is the leader in south/central Texas funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The university’s schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced more than 33,000 alumni. The $806.6 million operating budget supports four campuses in San Antonio and Laredo, and is the primary driver of its community’s $37 billion biomedical and health care industry. For more information on the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit uthealthsa.org.
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