Associate Vice President For Federal Relations Washington, DC -- University of Chicago

SEARCH FOR ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR FEDERAL RELATIONS WASHINGTON, DC The University of Chicago, one of the nation’s preeminent institutions of higher education, seeks an Associate Vice President for Federal Relations. The university is committed to expanding its civic partnerships and creating broader intellectual and cultural engagement within the city of Chicago, the region, and the nation. A number of the institution’s initiatives and areas of scholarly expertise require the capacity to monitor national policy issues, with a focus on science and health policy; to inform public policy dialogue; and to access federal funding opportunities. This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic and innovative leader to further realize the institution’s goal of increased engagement and policy impact by developing a premier federal relations program within a distinguished, urban research university. The University of Chicago is one of the world's great intellectual destinations, with a community of creative, demanding, inspired scholars who debate and collaborate to enrich human life through their work. Faculty scholarship has impact on important national policy, with particular consequence in science and health issues. Chicago is one of only two universities with contracts with the Department of Energy for two prominent national laboratories-Argonne National Laboratory & the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Moreover, management of its own hospitals as well as distinguished medical center puts the University of Chicago at the forefront of academic medicine. Reporting to the Vice President for Civic Engagement, the Associate Vice President for Federal Relations will serve as a critical member of the university leadership, articulating and developing a strategic agenda for the university in Washington, D.C. The Associate Vice President will work also with deans, faculty and senior administrators throughout the university, and particularly with directors and government relation teams in the national laboratories and the medical center, to strengthen the institution’s profile and leadership role in federal relations and legislative affairs. The position requires a dynamic individual who will embrace and respect the traditions of the university, but who will be diligent in forging the essential partnerships that will further the presence of the institution in Washington. The Associate Vice President will provide the leadership and staff necessary to ensure that the University of Chicago is consistently, accurately, and effectively represented to the full range of important federal constituencies and policy leaders; to identify and disseminate information on federal funding opportunities; to foster the connection and interaction between federal relations and state government; and to ensure that possibilities for strategic partnerships are leveraged productively. The successful candidate will also enjoy the unique challenges and rewards of working as part of a leadership team in a complex, decentralized institution. S/he will develop relationships and credibility across the university, and will establish the office of federal relations as a valuable resource to the entire academic community. This position is based in Washington, D.C., and the next Associate Vice President will be expected to have a consistent presence on the Chicago campus and other locations as required. The University of Chicago has retained the services of Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in conducting this important search. All inquiries, applications and nominations for this opportunity should be directed to the search firm as indicated at the end of this document. THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO Founded in 1892 by John D. Rockefeller, the University of Chicago is one of the world's leading universities, with an extraordinary history of world-renowned research and education across a broad spectrum of fields. More than 80 Nobel laureates are associated with the University of Chicago, including eight current faculty members. One former senior lecturer is currently President of the United States. The University of Chicago is known for its excellent faculty, a consistently strong and increasingly diverse student body, a distinctive urban campus with strong community connections, and a strong financial position. In 2012, US News and World Report ranked the University of Chicago 5th in its annual survey of the Best Colleges. The University is home to over 2,200 faculty and academic personnel and students from 50 U.S. states and 72 countries. In the fall of 2012, the University enrolled over 5,000 students in its undergraduate College, 7,400 students in its graduate arts and sciences programs and professional schools, and over 700 students in special programs. There are also approximately 2,000 students enrolled in off-campus programs, including the Booth School of Business campuses in London and Singapore. Undergraduates in the College at Chicago choose among 50 undergraduate majors and 29 minors. The College is notable for its core curriculum, the most expansive amongst highly ranked American colleges. Graduate students study in four arts and sciences divisions (physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, and humanities) and six highly-ranked professional schools (Chicago Booth School of Business, the Pritzker School of Medicine, law, divinity, the Harris School of Public Policy, and social service administration). Students also enroll in the nation’s first continuing education program. The University runs on a quarter system in which the academic year is divided into four terms. Located in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood on Lake Michigan, the University’s 211 acres were designated a botanic garden in 1997 and feature traditional English Gothic and modern buildings designed by world-class architects. Additionally, the University operates a major medical center; the nation’s largest academic press; two national laboratories (the Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab – Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory); the renowned N-12 laboratory schools that have led many innovations in education; and four charter school campuses on the South Side of Chicago. The University of Chicago is one of the nation's leading research institutions. In the fiscal year 2011, the University was awarded more than $444 million in sponsored funding, about half of which came from the Department of Health and Human Services (primarily from the National Institutes of Health) and another 10 percent from the National Science Foundation. In addition, Argonne and Fermilab were awarded an additional amount of more than $1 billion in sponsored funding in FY2011. Further information about the University’s medical center, national labs, and research institutes can be viewed through the following links: Institutes and Centers: http://www.uchicago.edu/research/centers.shtml Argonne: http://www.uchicagoargonnellc.org/ Fermilab: http://www.fra-hq.org/ Medical Center: http://www.uchospitals.edu/index.shtml Additional information about the University can be found at: www.uchicago.edu OFFICE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT The Office of Civic Engagement was created in 2008 to incorporate community affairs, and local and state government relations while expanding the university’s intellectual, economic and cultural engagement with the city of Chicago. Since January 2012, the Office of Civic Engagement has been led by Derek Douglas, former Special Assistant for Urban Policy to President Barack Obama. Under his leadership, the Office of Civic Engagement is focused on expanding the University’s impact and influence across the full geographic spectrum—University, Neighborhood, City, Region, Nation, and Globe. To that end, the Office of Civic Engagement facilitates research connections between the university, the city, and the region; as well as leading the institution’s efforts in economic development, civic partnerships, and a number of urban initiatives. The Washington, D.C. based Office of Federal Relations was also developed in 2008 as part of the university’s efforts to be more actively engaged with federal legislation and developments affecting research and higher education. Federal Relations staff represents the university's perspective on higher education and research policy to Congress and the Executive Branch, in support of research across the university, the academic medical center; as well as the two Department of Energy national laboratories the university helps operate, Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory. The office is now positioned within the Office of Civic Engagement, and will continue to be responsive to the needs of the broader university and serve as liaison to Legislative and Executive branches, educational associations, research organizations, professional societies, and public policy organizations. The Associate Vice President will provide leadership and strategic direction for the office located in Washington, D.C. S/he will have responsibility for a staff of up to five. The Associate Vice President will be charged with filling the Associate Director of Research and Associate Director of Urban Development positions in the Washington, D.C. office immediately. OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES FOR NEXT AVP FOR FEDERAL RELATIONS The next Associate Vice President (AVP) is expected to be a thoughtful, collegial leader who can work closely with the Vice President for Civic Engagement, the President, the Directors and government relations teams of the National Laboratories, the leadership of the University of Chicago Medical Center, other senior leaders, faculty and administrative staff to define and develop the best practices of a first-rate federal relations office in a world class research university. As s/he accepts this responsibility s/he will face the following opportunities and challenges: Enhance the university-wide value of the Office of Federal Relations The AVP will further establish the Office of Federal Relations as a valuable resource by collaborating closely with faculty and senior leadership. The AVP will be expected to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the key issues for major university research units, within Argonne, Fermilab, and the medical center in particular, and establishing strong working relationships across the whole of the university. S/he will work collaboratively with university scholars to shape effective federal relations strategies. S/he will collaborate with other government relations staff across the university to promote the priorities of the university as a whole, to both federal and state government. In order to build a successful infrastructure, the AVP needs to be adept in proactive, strategic management; providing a persuasive voice to the university community and focused leadership to the Federal Relations staff. Leverage relationships in Washington, D.C. to support scholarship at the university The AVP will be expected to leverage existing federal relationships and to actively seek and build new partnerships to further the university’s academic mission. S/he will develop and disseminate information to members of Congress, their staffs, and executive branch officials about University of Chicago research opportunities and needs. The AVP will advise, brief and regularly update faculty and administrators throughout the university, medical center, and national laboratories on federal legislative, regulatory and policy developments, and funding opportunities. S/he will assist in the development and communication of the university’s position on legislation, administrative regulations, and other federal policy initiatives affecting the conduct of research on campus. The AVP will also help foster the connection between federal relations and the State of Illinois, particularly on issues of science and health policy. Raise the profile of the University of Chicago in Washington, D.C. The AVP will assist in raising the national visibility of the University of Chicago by leveraging the expertise of scholars at the university and by promoting faculty’s cutting edge research, demonstrating its value to leaders in the federal government and the public policy community. In addition to building relationships within the Executive, and Legislative branches, the Department of Energy, and federal agencies, the AVP will further build relationships and strategic partnerships with alumni and other stakeholders in the Washington, D.C. region. Collaborate with other organizations on issues affecting higher education The AVP will ensure collaboration with other universities, educational associations, research organizations and professional societies to assess issues of concern to the academic research community and develop strategies for effective response. The AVP will initiate and guide the university’s efforts to convene leaders in Washington to discuss the critical issues influencing educational policy and the university’s interests. S/he will publicly advocate the goals and priorities of the University of Chicago to key constituencies in higher education and public policy. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE The next Associate Vice President will be an inspiring, accomplished, and experienced leader with outstanding interpersonal, listening, communication, and negotiation skills as well as a commitment to the mission of higher education. S/he will be an experienced administrator capable of leading with innovative vision to enhance federal relations at the university. S/he will engage faculty, staff, Trustees, and other key constituents in addressing strategic priorities, attracting resources, and setting and meeting shared goals and objectives. While no one person will embody them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal qualities: • Ability to embrace and articulate the values that make the University of Chicago distinctive; a genuine appreciation for the richness of experience of and interest in the promotion of higher education, research, and community development. • Demonstrated success in a senior-level role of comparable complexity in government relations and/or legislative affairs within academe, government, or the private sector. • Considerable knowledge of the organization and operation of the federal legislative, administrative, and regulatory process. • Broad experience with federal public policy issues, preferably those affecting higher education, scientific research, and/or health care. • Knowledge of the workings of key federal research agencies such as the Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, and NASA,. • A seasoned and skillful manager with a record of recruiting and developing a diverse and talented staff. A person who places a high priority on the professional development of staff through delegation of responsibility and expert tutelage. • A lively, creative intellect and a strong personal presence that will earn the respect of the institutions’ leadership; ability to engage in an intensely analytic culture that values rigorous inquiry and debate. • Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Ability to serve as the University’s representative and spokesperson in a variety of venues. • The willingness to invest considerable time and energy circulating in both the Washington, D.C. and University of Chicago communities; building confidence and credibility among diverse, independent constituencies. • A style with colleagues and staff that is at once proactive, direct, and decisive as well as collaborative, collegial, and customer-service oriented. • Patience, resiliency, and tenacity along with an abundance of energy, common sense, and outstanding judgment. • A Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred. APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS The University of Chicago has retained the services of Isaacson, Miller to assist with this search. Review of applications, nominations and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made. Nominations, applications, and inquiries should be sent in confidence to: Pamela Pezzoli, Senior Associate Jane Gruenebaum, Vice President Isaacson, Miller 1300 19th Street, N.W., Suite 700 Washington, DC 20036 4546@imsearch.com Electronic submission is strongly encouraged. The University of Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or veteran status, and does not discriminate against members of protected classes under the law.