Job Description

Director of Government Affairs Ellucian

About the Opportunity

Ellucian, a global leader in education technology, partners with more than 2,800 highereducation customers across 50 countries. Our AIpowered platform delivers personalized experiences and powerful analytics for students, faculty and staff, helping institutions achieve better outcomes through recruitment, enrollment, retention, workforce analytics, fundraising and alumni engagement.

Work Location: Hybrid Reston, VA or Washington, DC
Remote Eligible States: Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a proactive government affairs strategy in key states to position Ellucian as the industry leader in highereducation technology.
• Serve as Ellucians principal liaison with state legislators, executivebranch officials, state agencies, highereducation policy groups and other influential stakeholders.
• Track, analyze and report on state legislative, regulatory and budget actions affecting higher education and educational technology markets, and communicate risks and opportunities internally.
• Partner with Ellucian leadership and crossfunctional teams (Sales, Marketing, Product) to align advocacy goals with company and client needs.
• Represent Ellucian at statelevel hearings, stakeholder meetings and external events; prepare compelling policy briefs, testimony, talking points and advocacy materials.
• Provide strategic counsel to the executive team on state policy developments and identify engagement opportunities to advance Ellucians mission.
• Supervise or coordinate outside lobbying firms and internal staff supporting governmentrelations initiatives.
• Cultivate bipartisan relationships and coalitions to strengthen Ellucians profile across state government and the highereducation ecosystem.
• Monitor state procurement trends and compliance developments to support business growth and risk mitigation.
• Shape and respond to emerging state legislative and regulatory issues, including rulemaking, workforce education, data policy, privacy, artificial intelligence and EdTech funding.
• Lead or assist in special projects, working groups and crossfunctional task forces advancing Ellucians advocacy agenda.

Qualifications

• 710 years of experience in government affairs, state legislative advocacy or policy leadership, preferably in higher education, technology or publicsector consulting.
• Expertise navigating state governments, government associations and policy networks with a track record of influencing public policy and legislative outcomes.
• Deep understanding of state legislative, regulatory and budgetary processes and ability to shape highimpact publicpolicy issues.
• Exceptional relationshipbuilding, negotiation and coalitionbuilding skills; proven ability to influence diverse priorities and foster bipartisan collaboration.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience preparing legislative materials, external advocacy pieces and executive briefings.
• Strategic and analytical thinker adept at managing complexity, ambiguity and competing deadlines.
• Selfstarter with sound judgment, organizational agility and demonstrated leadership in crossfunctional environments.
• Experience managing consultants, lobbyists or small teams is a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
• Flexible time off and 401(k) with company match
• Telemedicine and wellness programs (Headspace, Wellbeats)
• Parental leave and charitable days to support community involvement
• Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) for health, financial or learning expenses
• BrightPlan benefit, Diversity & Inclusion programs, and employee referral bonuses
• Professional development opportunities and Education Assistance Program

We celebrate collaboration, humility and a commitment to learning. Join us to lead advocacy efforts and shape the future of higher education technology.

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