Director, Government and External Relations

Title: Director Government and External Relations

State Role Title:St Library Div Dir

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience with the beginning salary of $90000

Pay Band: UG

Agency: The Library of Virginia

Location:The Library of Virginia

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Position Overview

The Director of Government and External Relations serves as a senior advisor to the Librarian of Virginia and a key member of the agencys leadership. This position provides strategic direction for the Librarys legislative government and external relations programs building and sustaining strong partnerships with the Virginia General Assembly the Office of the Governor state agencies and the Commonwealths cultural heritage and memory institutions. Reporting to the Librarian of Virginia who is the agency head the Director advances the Librarys mission and priorities through effective communication advocacy and collaboration ensuring that the Librarys voice and values are represented in public policy and interagency initiatives across Virginia and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

Government and Legislative Relations

Serve as the primary liaison between the Library of Virginia and the Virginia General Assembly legislative staff and executive branch offices.
Monitor and analyze proposed legislation budget initiatives and policy developments affecting the Library public libraries statewide and the broader cultural and historical community.
Develop and implement legislative strategies in coordination with the Librarian of Virginia and other senior leadership.
Prepare briefings reports and testimony for legislative committees and budget hearings.
Coordinate agency responses to inquiries from legislators and staff in a timely accurate and professional manner.
Support the Librarian and other leaders in building relationships with state officials and cultivating legislative champions for the Librarys programs. Administer the Statement of Economic Interest (SOEI) process for the Library to ensure filing and training compliance.
Serve as the primary liaison between the Library of Virginia and the Office of Regulatory Management (ORM) proposing and tracking regulatory actions and updating the Unified Regulatory Plan.

External and Interagency Relations

Build and maintain collaborative relationships with other state agencies boards and commissions particularly those in education history culture and information management.
Represent the Library in statewide and national cultural memory initiatives working with libraries archives and museums to advance shared goals in access and public engagement.
Serve as liaison to key professional organizations including the Virginia Association of Museums the Virginia Library Association and others.
Coordinate and participate in Library working groups task forces and joint projects that support the Librarys strategic directions.

Communications and Strategy

Advise the Librarian of Virginia the Library Board the Library of Virginia Foundation Board and senior leadership and management on emerging legislative and policy trends opportunities and risks.
In coordination with Chief of Communications develop messaging and materials to communicate the Librarys impact priorities and legislative positions.
Collaborate with the Librarys marketing and communications staff to align government relations with public outreach and advocacy initiatives.
Contribute to the development and implementation of the Librarys strategic and legislative agendas including collaboration with the Library of Virginia Foundation.

Minimum Qualifications

Considerable experience in government relations legislative affairs or public policy at the municipal state or federal level.
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with elected officials agency leadership and institutional partners.
Strong understanding of Virginias legislative and executive processes particularly related to statewide finances.
Excellent written verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Proven ability to synthesize complex information and present it clearly to diverse audiences.
Sound judgment discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive issues.
Bachelors degree in public policy political science communications history or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

Additional Considerations

Advanced degree in public administration law or a related discipline.
Experience in or familiarity with the library archival historical or cultural heritage sectors.
Prior experience in a public agency or nonprofit organization.
Knowledge of advocacy best practices and public affairs communications.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position is based in Richmond Virginia and requires regular on-site presence at the Library of Virginia and the Virginia State Capitol. Evening or weekend work will occasionally be required especially during the legislative session or special events. Some in-state travel may be necessary.

The candidate selected for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check. State employees who have been affected by Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to . Please include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet. You may apply for this position at Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact for assistance.

Contact Information

Name: Marjorie McGregor

Phone:

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at .

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1 2022- February 29 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.