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ASST DIR, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Job Title: ASST DIR, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Job Code: 2314
FLSA: E
Job Level: 15
Revised Date: 07/01/2026
Job Family: JF 28
Occupational Summary
The Assistant Director of Government Relations supports Duke University's advocacy and engagement efforts with state and federal government officials and agencies. The Assistant Director will play a key role in advancing Duke's legislative and regulatory priorities by monitoring policy developments, supporting strategic outreach, and strengthening relationships with policymakers and stakeholders.
Work Performed
Support Duke's engagement with state and federal elected officials, legislative staff, and executive branch agencies.
Assist in the development and execution of advocacy strategies aligned with Duke's institutional priorities.
Help prepare leaders for meetings with policymakers, including briefings, talking points, and background materials.
Represent Duke at meetings, briefings, hearings, and coalition events as appropriate.
Track and analyze state and federal legislation, regulations, and policy developments affecting higher education, research, health care, and other university priorities.
Prepare written summaries, issue briefs, and impact analyses for internal audiences.
Identify emerging policy issues and opportunities for engagement.
Develop and write text for printed publications, newsletters, electronic messaging, and social media necessary to achieve the mission and goals of the office. Prepare reports, position papers, and talking points.
Contribute to reports and updates for university leadership on government relations activities.
Assist with website updates and content management.
Identify avenues for faculty and staff to share areas of their clinical, teaching and research expertise with state and federal officials. Work with faculty and staff on appropriate ways to advocate and interact with government officials.
Plan, communicate and participate in internal legislative presentations and briefings for employees and, when appropriate, student organizations.
Expand productive working relationships with government offices, higher education associations, and peer institutions.
Support increased coalition-building efforts with external organizations and associations.
Help plan and execute campus visits for elected officials and staff.
Support Duke's presence at legislative events, advocacy days, and briefings at the state and federal levels.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education/Training
Work requires communication, writing, analytical and organizational skills acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program.
Experience
Work requires a minimum of four years of experience in state or federal government relations, advocacy, policy analysis, public relations or a related field in order to coordinate and support a comprehensive government relations program.
Skills
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
