This position serves as a primary day-to-day liaison between the University and state legislators, legislative staff, executive branch officials, and agency staff. The Associate Director supports the full range of state government relations activities, including legislative monitoring and analysis, advocacy strategy, testimony and policy material development, relationship-building, budget and regulatory tracking, and coordination of state government requests involving University leadership, faculty, staff, students, and administrative units.
The Associate Director plays a central role in the University’s annual legislative session strategy and maintains year-round engagement with state government to advance University priorities, identify opportunities for collaboration, anticipate risks, and shape policy outcomes. As appropriate, this position may represent the University before the General Assembly, state agencies, external coalitions, and stakeholder groups.
This role works closely with other members of the Office of Government Relations, including colleagues responsible for strategic initiatives, community engagement, federal relations, local government relations, and government communications, to ensure coordinated and consistent engagement across all levels of government.Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Five (5) years of professional experience in legislative affairs working directly with lawmakers on policy or budget matters.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
Knowledge of state and local government structures, legislative processes, public policy development, and governmental relations practices.
Knowledge of legislative affairs strategies, advocacy principles, and approaches for engaging with elected officials, government agencies, and other governmental stakeholders.
Knowledge of higher education issues, institutional priorities, and policies impacting public universities.
Skill in monitoring, analyzing, and summarizing legislative proposals, regulations, and public policy issues affecting organizational priorities.
Skill in developing written communications, legislative briefings, reports, presentations, and other materials for internal and external audiences.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
Ability to interpret complex legislative and policy information and evaluate potential impacts on institutional programs and priorities.
Ability to coordinate government relations activities, including legislative tracking, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy efforts.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally while representing institutional interests with diverse audiences.
Preferences:
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, public administration, communications, law, higher education administration, or a related field
- Direct experience working in the Maryland General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, a Maryland state agency, a legislative committee office, a public university system, or a government relations office.
- Existing relationships with members, staff, or leadership of the Maryland General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, Maryland executive branch agencies, or statewide policy organizations.
- Experience in higher education, a research institution, public university, nonprofit, association, or public-sector government relations environment.
- Familiarity with state higher education policy, including operating budget, capital budget, University System of Maryland governance, research funding, financial aid, workforce development, and public university issues.
- Experience drafting testimony, preparing witnesses, supporting amendment negotiations, and developing legislative advocacy strategies.
- Experience coordinating legislative visits, advocacy days, campus briefings, stakeholder convenings, or grassroots/alumni advocacy programs.
- Familiarity with legislative tracking systems, policy databases, lobbying compliance practices, or government relations CRM tools.
Required Application Materials:
Resume, Cover Letter, and List of three (3) Professional References
Best Consideration Date:
September 27, 2026
Posting Close Date:
N/A
Open Until Filled:
Yes
Physical Demands:
Predominantly works in an office environment. Will require the ability to regularly travel throughout the State of Maryland. Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time, both indoors and outdoors. This position will require occasional evening work hours.
Job RisksNot Applicable to This PositionFinancial Disclosure RequiredYesFor more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.
For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment EligibilityThe successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO StatementThe University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Five years of professional legislative affairs experience working directly with lawmakers on policy or budget matters
- Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, public administration, communications, law, higher education administration, or a related field
- Direct experience with the Maryland General Assembly, Governor's Office, Maryland state agencies, legislative committee offices, public university systems, or government relations offices
- Existing relationships with Maryland legislators, legislative staff, executive branch agencies, or statewide policy organizations
- Experience in higher education, research institutions, public universities, nonprofits, associations, or public-sector government relations
- Familiarity with state higher education policy, operating and capital budgets, University System of Maryland governance, research funding, financial aid, and workforce development
- Experience drafting testimony, preparing witnesses, supporting amendment negotiations, and developing legislative advocacy strategies
- Experience coordinating legislative visits, advocacy days, campus briefings, stakeholder convenings, or grassroots and alumni advocacy programs
- Familiarity with legislative tracking systems, policy databases, lobbying compliance practices, or government relations CRM tools
What We Do
The University of Maryland, College Park offers federal student loans and covers tuition and fees for eligible students.
