TBR | The College System of Tennessee

Title: Director of State Government Relations

Employee Classification: Executive/Admin & Managerial

Institution: System Office

Department: External Affairs

Campus Location: Tennessee Board of Regents System Office

Job Summary

The Director of State Government Relations will serve as a key liaison between the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), the Tennessee General Assembly, and other government agencies. Working in collaboration with the AVC, the Coordinator for Government Relations, and the Executive Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, the Director is responsible for monitoring, tracking, and analyzing all proposed state legislation and assessing its potential effects on the TBR System. The Director will provide strategic advice and direction on how legislative activity may impact the System’s budget and policy priorities—particularly those related to student recruitment, support, progression, and completion.

The Director cultivates strong relationships with legislators, state officials, and policy stakeholders to advocate for the TBR System and align public policy with institutional, workforce development, and student success goals.

This position will serve in a cross functional role with the other Directors in the Department of Government and Public Relations. This position supervises the Coordinator of Government Relations.

This position may have the opportunity to work remote within the state of Tennessee but with periodic visits to the TBR System Office (Nashville, TN) at the employee’s expense, and potential travel to Tennessee TBR colleges may be necessary.

Job Duties

• 30% - Legislative Liaison Represent the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) at legislative committee meetings and events in coordination with the AVC for Government and Public Relations, the Coordinator of Government Relations, and the EVC for External Affairs. Provide testimony when appropriate, respond to legislative information requests, and facilitate communication between TBR leadership and state government officials. Develop talking points and policy arguments tailored to various audiences. Facilitate premeetings with key legislators in advance of TBR’s annual legislative budget hearings and other legislative meetings. - (Essential)
• 30% - Legislation Monitoring Monitor and assess proposed state legislation impacting TBR’s community and technical colleges, as well as higher education generally. Compare proposed legislation with Tennessee Code Annotated, and complete redline analysis of legislation to assess the differences from current law. Facilitate the tracking of relevant legislation, identifying issues, analyzing intent and possible effects, and in coordination with Senior staff, proposing TBR positions. Manage legislative tracking systems, including TN Tracks and TLS. In coordination with AVC, facilitate weekly bill review meetings. Assess legislative schedules and calendars to coordinate strategic engagement. Monitor other governmental meetings outside legislative session. - (Essential)
• 10% - Development of Legislative Agenda Support the development of TBR’s annual legislative agenda and budget priorities. Work collaboratively with colleagues across departments in the Office of External Affairs to ensure consistency and integration of advocacy and communications strategies. - (Essential)
• 15% - Relationship Building Routinely travel to state senators’ and representatives’ legislative districts to build relationships and advocate for the advancement of TBR’s legislative agenda each year. Meet with college administrators and other external stakeholders across the state to build partnerships to further advocacy efforts. - (Essential)
• 10% - Event Planning Plan and oversee TBR’s annual Day on the Hill and other special legislative events. - (Essential)
• 5% - Perform other responsibilities as assigned. - (Marginal)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5 years’ experience in working in state government and/or higher education
• Evidenced experience in governmental and legislative affairs
• Strong working knowledge of legislative trends at the state level

Preferred Qualifications

• Specific experience in policy or government relations pertaining to the State of Tennessee
• Evidenced work experience in Tennessee state government at the legislative or administration liaison level or higher
• Knowledge of legislative trends at the federal level and their impact

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of public policy development and the structure, functions, and procedures of legislative bodies, executive agencies, and public higher education systems, particularly within Tennessee;
• Strong judgment and discretion, with the ability to work independently and make informed decisions aligned with organizational goals and political environments;
• Evidenced experience in legislative bill tracking and advanced ability to navigate Tennessee law and rules;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to frame issues differently based on the audience;
• Demonstrated ability to articulate ideas and issues clearly and interact effectively;
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities; and
• Ability to travel occasionally within the state for quarterly board meetings, legislative meetings, and related events.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions