Vice President for Policy and Operations

The Inter-University Council of Ohio (IUC) was established in 1939 as a voluntary educational association of Ohio's public universities. Today the association represents Ohio's 14 public universities. Together, these institutions offer a broad range of associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and professional programs. The association's purpose is to facilitate the development of common interest and concern of its members and to assist in sustaining and improving the quality of public higher education. IUC also engages in public relations, research and government liaison work on behalf of its members.

The major goal of the IUC is to sustain a consortium that: establishes a comfortable forum that fosters idea exploration and problem solving; facilitates relationship building and trust among and between presidents and senior campus officers; enables members to achieve together–through collaboration and cooperation–what institutions cannot likely achieve alone.

The Vice President for Policy and Operations serves as a senior leader within the IUC, integrating the organization's internal coordination and external advocacy functions. The Vice President for Policy and Operations supports the IUC President and CEO in advancing IUC's legislative and policy priorities, convening institutional leaders across key working groups, and ensuring the Council's internal operations run efficiently and transparently.

The Vice President for Policy and Operations works with the Presidents' Council and eight (8) committees to build and promote the IUC agenda and address members' public policy concerns. Directs and administers activities consistent with the IUC's established goals and objectives. Identifies obstacles and implements changes to ensure organizational effectiveness. Develops, manages and evaluates internal and external collaborations. Serves as IUC representative on various Ohio Department of Higher Education and other state-level councils and committees. Analyzes legislation. Develops reports and provides information for the IUC President, Council and Committee members. Works independently, using knowledge and creativity, on special large-scope projects, research and studies for the IUC President, Presidents' Council, IUC committees, and Ohio Department of Higher Education, which inform and impact higher educating policy for the State of Ohio. Provides guidance to less experienced colleagues. Serves in a supervisory capacity for the executive assistant and oversees the IUC Purchasing Group staff of three, and IUC Risk Management & Insurance Consortium staff of two. The ideal candidate will have acquired depth and breadth of specialization and knowledge in the IUC's agenda, policies (both internal and external) and established goals. Along with their broad and unique knowledge they will work to improve and develop new practices and processes as it relates to the administrative activities within the IUC. Typical assignments in this role include several large and highly complex projects that have a significant and long-term impact on the operations and goals of the IUC. They will work to also facilitate dialog across multiple members and channels within the ICU at a high level and work towards alignment of serval different topics and opinions.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, law, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, policy analysis, or higher education administration. Strong understanding of Ohio's legislative and budget processes. Proven ability to coordinate complex stakeholder groups and synthesize policy and fiscal information into clear recommendations. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Collaborative leadership style with IUC's mission as a trusted convener and advocate.

Desired Qualifications:

Master's degree or Juris Doctorate (J.D.) strongly preferred. Strategic thinker with political acumen and sound judgment. Diplomatic relationship-builder, comfortable engaging with university presidents, legislators, and state agency officials. Flexible, collegial, and mission-driven professional who thrives in a small, high-impact organization.

Function: Business Planning and Operations

Sub-function: Business Operations

Career Band: Individual Contributer - Specialized

Career Level: S5

The Target Hiring Range for this position is $120,000 to $156,800 per year.

Ohio State will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Regular 40 First Shift