Senior Director of Public Affairs

Portland, OR, USA
Posted on  

Job Description


Job no: 530746

Work type: Officer of Administration

Location: Portland, OR

Categories: Communications/Public Relations/Marketing, Development, Executive/Management/Director, Public Policy and Planning

Department: University Advancement

Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing

Salary: Salary range starts at $110,000 per year; commensurate with experience

Compensation Band: OS-OA10-Fiscal Year 2022-2023

FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

December 12, 2022; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit the following with your online application:

  • A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job announcement.
  • A resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Department Summary

The Office of the Provost (OtP) upholds, provides leadership on, and carries out the academic mission of the University. In service to this mission, the office promotes and sustains the highest standards in teaching, research and service; fosters and advocates for faculty; focuses on student success; promotes a respectful work environment, equity and inclusion, and a family-friendly workplace; supports and coordinates matters that pertain to faculty and academics, including hiring, retention, promotion, and tenure processes; advances university outreach to the community, academic extension, and internationalization.


In 2022, the University of Oregon established The Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health (Ballmer Institute), a bold new approach to improving Oregon's children's behavioral health and wellness. The Portland-based institute is made possible by a lead gift of more than $425 million from Connie and Steve Ballmer, co-founders of Ballmer Group Philanthropy. The Ballmer Institute creates an entirely new profession aimed at promoting children and adolescents' behavioral health and wellness, emphasizing the early detection and prevention of mental health disorders. Child behavioral health specialists who graduate from the Ballmer Institute will enrich children and adolescents' behavioral health and wellness across identities and abilities, from various family structures and backgrounds, in schools, public health, and other healthcare settings. With an emphasis on prevention and early detection, these professionals will profoundly impact future generations.


State Affairs at the University of Oregon is responsible for all university matters related to the Oregon Legislative Assembly, other statewide elected officials, and state agencies. Community Relations is responsible for local government and community relations including event sponsorship and strategy.

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Public Affairs and Community Engagement, Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health (senior director) serves on the executive leadership team for the Ballmer Institute of Children’s Behavioral Health (Ballmer Institute) at the University of Oregon (UO).


Reporting to the Associate Vice President for State Affairs (AVP), this position works both independently and under the direction of the AVP and the Executive Director, Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health (executive director).


In addition, this position works closely with Ballmer Institute leadership and other university leaders to help launch the institute and ensure its success by supporting a strategic and robust approach to outreach and engagement with key stakeholders.


Successful candidates for this position must show an understanding of a “public affairs” approach to the work, seamlessly integrating interactions with elected officials, government agencies and executives, non-governmental organizations, and community groups.

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of skills and experience.
  • Five years of experience in state or federal legislative affairs, state or federal government, and/or legislative or political campaign advocacy; experience as a leader working with multiple stakeholders to advance a specific legislative initiative or agenda.

Professional Competencies

  • Ability to work across partisan and ideological lines to build consensus for and deliver positive results on university issues.
  • Deep knowledge of political dynamics and legislative process.
  • Ability to quickly adapt to new information and anticipate decision-makers' needs.
  • Ability to manage up to multiple types of university leaders; capacity to present and compile critical information and context for leadership decisions and action.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Ability to demonstrate tact, and diplomacy, and responsibly manage confidential or sensitive information and issues.
  • Demonstrated ability to motivate and work well with students, faculty, staff, business and community leaders, and volunteers to build public and political support for the university.
  • Ability to think on one’s feet, proactively and quickly assessing, responding, and advancing UO’s priorities in high-stress, politically divided, and time-sensitive environments.
  • Expertise in working with community groups, local elected officials, and diverse constituency groups, and managing challenging community issues.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people across multiple units and agencies to develop strategies to achieve operating goals.
  • Ability to interact, communicate, and work effectively with individuals, recognizing and respecting each person’s many and diverse identities.
  • Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree.
  • Knowledge of policies and initiatives involving higher education.
  • Experience in higher education, K-12 education, and/or behavioral health
  • Experience in state relations in OR, CA, and/or WA.
  • Experience with workforce development and/or Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.

University of Oregon students and employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For additional information see: https://hr.uoregon.edu/uo-covid-19-vaccination-requirement-employee-process.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.

Advertised: Nov 17, 2022 Pacific Standard Time

Applications close: