Under the general direction of the Office of the President, the Government Affairs Director serves as a key leader in advancing Western University of Health Sciences’ public policy and advocacy priorities across Oregon. The Director leads strategic engagement with government entities, elected officials, and policy stakeholders to enhance WesternU’s visibility, influence, and impact.
This position also collaborates closely with internal departments and external partners to promote initiatives aligned with WesternU’s mission, values, and community health priorities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Individuals must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to perform the essential functions of the assigned classification, with or without reasonable accommodation(s), using some other combination of skills and abilities. Necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities are as follows:
Knowledge of:
Deep understanding of Oregon’s legislative and regulatory landscape; knowledge of Oregon policy environment strongly preferred.
Skills to:
- Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional policy initiatives and managing external relationships.
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
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Ability to:
- Demonstrate a commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, law, public health, or related field.
Experience or Training:
- Minimum 6–8 years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, legislative affairs, or policy advocacy.
3 or more years of supervisory/managerial experience.
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Special Requirements, Licenses, and Certifications:
- Must possess and maintain a valid Oregon driver’s license and a clean driving record as documented by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Master’s degree in public policy, political science, law, public health, or related field.
Essential Job Duties
Key Responsibilities
Government Relations & Policy Leadership:
- Lead WesternU’s advocacy strategies at the local, state, and federal levels in Oregon.
- Cultivate relationships with legislators, regulatory agencies, higher education associations, and healthcare policy leaders.
- Monitor and analyze legislation and regulatory proposals impacting higher education, healthcare workforce development, and academic medical institutions.
- Develop and advance WesternU’s positions on key issues, including drafting letters, testimony, policy briefs, and advocacy materials.
- Serve as a representative of the university in statewide coalitions and policy advisory groups.
- Oversee and coordinate all lobbying activities across the institution to ensure compliance, alignment with institutional priorities, and strategic engagement with public officials at all levels.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Oversight & Supervision:
- Coordinate unified messaging and policy alignment across both states.
- Collaborate with internal leadership to ensure that government affairs efforts are integrated with community benefit goals and institutional priorities.
- Advise the AVP on emerging opportunities and policy risks across jurisdictions.
Key Responsibilities
Internal Communication & Reporting:
- Prepare regular policy updates, legislative trackers, and briefings for institutional leadership.
- Draft talking points, memos, and briefing packets for executive leadership ahead of legislative or agency meetings.
- Support institutional grant applications and funding proposals that require public affairs narratives or government alignment.
Key Responsibilities
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Development:
- Build partnerships with community-based organizations, associations, and advocacy groups to promote shared legislative goals.
- Represent WesternU at external meetings, roundtables, and events, often serving as the lead liaison to public officials.
- Organize legislative visits, campus tours, and advocacy days to foster deeper understanding of WesternU’s impact.
Posting Details Continued
Work Schedule
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Mon-Friday; some weekends and evenings.
- Travel may be required for various off-site meetings, trainings, conferences, and/or events in support of the overall objective of the position.
Working at WesternU
We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.
We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally,
- Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success.
- Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment.
- Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community.
- As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences.
- WesternU’s core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do.
- We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!
Expected Pay Scale
Minimum
$130,000.00 Annually
Maximum
$140,000.00 Annually
Physical Demands
Do the essential functions of this job require lifting?
Yes
If yes, list maximum weight and duration
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands, reach with hands and arms, and stoop. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distant vision.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
- Must maintain Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) that satisfies the requirements of the WesternU Vehicle Use Policy.
Describe Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Duties of the position are normally performed in a typical office setting. Occasionally the employee is exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in this setting is usually moderate due to telephone calls, office equipment, and normal student traffic.
Other: This position description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended, however, to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential for making decisions related to job performance, employee development and compensation. As such, the employee may perform other duties and responsibilities as required.
Conditions of Employment - Background Check
To secure employment, successful fulfillment of a background check, including a criminal records check, may be required. Western University of Health Sciences will extend a conditional offer of employment, subject to rescission if the background check unveils disqualifying information or if it is found that the candidate deliberately withheld or misrepresented information. Non-completion of the background check to satisfaction may impact the ongoing employment of a current Western University of Health Sciences employee who received a conditional offer for the position.
Pay Transparency Act
Pay Transparency Act- Western University of Health Sciences is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers various factors in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The Expected Pay Scale is defined as the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Placement within the Expected Pay Scale is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.
Equal Opportunity Statement (EEO)
It is the policy of Western University to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment as required by law without regard to age, race, color, national origin ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, sex or gender (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, disability (both physical and mental) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), pregnancy (which includes childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), age, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.This policy applies to all employment practices within WesternU including without limitation, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoffs, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. WesternU makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits, and business needs at the time.
Required Documents
- Letter of Recommendation #1
Optional Documents
- Letter of Recommendation #2
- Letter of Recommendation #3
