Job Description
Summary
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico seeks an Associate, Governmental Affairs to provide support to APLU’s Council on Legal Affairs (CLA), maintain APLU’s Council on Governmental Affairs contact lists, and provide administrative support across the Office of Governmental Affairs team. The position will include lead support for Council on Legal Affairs events and meetings and back-up support for Council on Governmental Affairs events. Successful candidates will have strong meeting coordination, event planning, and administrative support skills. They will also have a facility with technology and possess a keen attention to detail. This full-time position is based in Washington, DC. The incumbent must be eligible to work in the United States, reside in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and pass standard background checks. They are eligible for a hybrid work schedule. For more information, consult www.aplu.org.
Background
APLU is a membership organization that fosters a community of university leaders collectively working to advance the mission of public research universities. The association’s U.S membership consists of more than 240 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations spanning across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and six U.S. territories. The association and its members collectively focus on increasing student success and workforce readiness; promoting pathbreaking scientific research; and bolstering economic and community engagement. Annually, its U.S. member campuses enroll 4.5 million undergraduates and 1.4 million graduate students, award 1.3 million degrees, employ 1.3 million faculty and staff, and conduct $70 billion in university-based research.
The Council on Legal Affairs (CLA), which is comprised of the senior-most legal affairs officers of member institutions, provides chief legal officers, typically the General Counsel, a forum for learning from others in the role and professional development. The Council on Governmental Affairs (CGA) includes the university officials who serve as the principal points of contact between their institutions and their congressional delegations and federal agencies. A very active APLU council, the CGA is a network of university government relations professionals who advocate for public research universities in federal legislation and federal policy. Members of the CGA are based on campus and/or in the institution’s Washington, DC offices. Typically, they are VPs, directors and assistant directors for government affairs/relations for their institution.
Responsibilities
· Provide general administrative support for the Council on Legal Affairs (CLA), including scheduling, notetaking, agenda management, office operations, contract administration, document management/filing, etc.
· Coordinate the logistics, planning, and administrative aspects of conferences, meetings, and events (both virtual and in-person) for CLA, such as obtaining, reviewing, and evaluating hotel contracts, drafting/compiling meeting materials, providing on-site support, coordinating the budget, and sponsorship efforts, etc.
· Coordinate data management for CLA, including ensuring data is up to date in APLU’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and that all listservs, contact lists, etc. are accurate and current. Update contact records, create and review CRM reports for accuracy, and manage contact requests that come in through the website.
· Coordinate data management for the Council on Governmental Affairs (CGA), including ensuring data is up to date in APLU’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and that all listservs, contact lists, etc. are accurate and current. Update contact records, create and review CRM reports for accuracy, and manage contact requests that come in through the website.
· Manage calendars and schedule meetings for Office of Governmental Affairs team members as requested and reconcile credit card accounts across the team.
· Draft and edit documents, emails, and other communications related to CLA. Distribute communications using email marketing software as needed.
· Assist in the development of content and maintenance of the CLA’s online presence, including webpages, as needed.
· Manage any CLA inboxes, ensuring that incoming emails are responded to appropriately and on a timely basis.
· Provide backup administrative and logistical support for Office of Governmental Affairs meetings and events as needed.
· Maintain positive relations with member university representatives through in-person, virtual, and email interactions.
· Participate as an integral member of the Governmental Affairs Team and APLU, and contribute to a supportive, welcoming, and collegial workplace.
· Perform other duties as assigned to advance the team, Office, and mission of APLU.
Preferred Qualifications
· A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional administrative support experience. Work experience at a college/university, a higher education organization, a non-profit organization, or a non-profit involved with higher education issues is a plus.
· Experience planning and coordinating events, including workshops, webinars, and conferences.
· Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Comfort interacting with professionals at all levels.
· Demonstrated organizational skills. Ability to take direction from, and communicate with, multiple team members, keep track of activities and priorities on multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
· Ability to identify potential issues and bring them to the attention of the appropriate team members as they arise.
· Ability to maintain poise, professionalism, focus, consistency, and accuracy under pressure.
· Experience with Office365 is highly preferred, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Planner, and SharePoint as well as experience managing virtual meetings, especially via Zoom.
· Experience using a customer relations management (CRM) system and databases is a plus. Comfort using and learning new technologies.
· Strong commitment to advancing higher education initiatives.
· Ability to travel domestically as needed, approximately 2-3 times a year, including over weekends and the Veteran’s Day holiday.
To Apply
Please send a letter of interest and resume (preferably in one PDF document) to APLU’s Human Resources Department at resume@aplu.org with the subject line: Associate, Governmental Affairs. Applications will be reviewed as received and continue until the position is filled, with preference given to those applications received by March 13, 2026. The annual salary range for this position is $58,000 - $60,000, depending on experience and qualifications. APLU is committed to a welcoming work environment and supports staff with a generous benefits package.
APLU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to providing reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact resume@aplu.org.