"Federal Relations Director"

Job Details

About Binghamton University:

Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.

Working at Binghamton University is more than about having a great job - it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.

Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty who value cutting-edge, and community-engaged research, teaching and service, exceptional staff, and ultramodern facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000+ students. Our high-achieving student body represents diverse experiences from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration, and community service.

We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and in keeping with this commitment, we welcome all to apply, including veterans and persons with disabilities.

Job Description:

Budget Title: Senior Staff Assistant (SL-3)

Salary: $90,000 - $95,000 (commensurate with experience)

Binghamton University seeks a Federal Relations Director who is an enthusiastic, team-oriented individual with effective communication, writing and organizational skills who has experience with government operations at the federal level but also understands government operations and interactions at the state and local level as well. This individual will report to and assist the chief of staff and director of government relations with issues involving federal programs and practices impacting higher education.

The individual must be able to track, monitor and summarize key developments in federal education policy as well as research development opportunities for the university. The ideal candidate will have experience in higher education working with government entities or have worked in some capacity at the federal level on higher education-related issues.

The individual should be able to demonstrate a successful track record for project management and building relationships, must have strong analytical skills and must have the ability to sift through, filter and manage large amounts of information to determine what initiatives align with Binghamton University's mission, goals and strengths.

Successful candidates will have an understanding of how the federal government functions, a strong network of federal contacts, demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with policymakers and governmental stakeholders, and experience devising and executing legislative or regulatory strategies to advance policy goals.

This is a Binghamton campus-based in-person position with on-site work required; limited flexibility may be available in accordance with university policy.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience working in higher education in a capacity dealing with federal government entities OR experience working in state or federal government that involved academic/higher education policy
• Knowledge of state and federal legislative processes and how they impact one another
• Proven track record of managing information, people and/or events
• Effective oral communication and writing skills
• Experience attending official/informational meetings and ability to prepare salient briefing materials
• Ability to easily build relationships with colleagues, elected officials and members of their staff as well as federal agency personnel
• Demonstrated successful project management skills
• Able and willing to work odd hours (including nights and weekends), travel (mostly to D.C.), and take on responsibilities in support of the campus
• Able to work independently as well as in a team
• Agile with technology and able to utilize technology to manage projects and information

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E-Verify employer.

Additional Information:

Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.

Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov

Payroll information can be found on our website https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/payroll/

Cover letters may be addressed "To the Search Committee."

Postings active on the website, accept applications until closure.

For information on the Dual Career Program, please visit: https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/prospective/dual-career/index.html

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be found here.

Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

Application Instructions:

All applicants must apply via Interview Exchange: https://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=197064

Deadline for Internal Applicants: February 24, 2026

Deadline for External Applicants: Open until filled

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.

Please submit:

1. Resume,
2. Cover letter, and
3. Contact information for three professional references

You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: https://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp