Director of Advocacy

The Texas Exes prides itself on being a family-oriented and fulfilling working environment. We are a close-knit team of mission-driven people who get the job done. We offer our full-time employees a highly competitive benefits package (generous 401K match, fully paid health premium options with employer contribution into an HSA—just to name a few), and a professional culture that rewards and acknowledges hard work, creativity, and loyalty. The Texas Exes alumni association is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Overview

The Director of Advocacy advances the Texas Exes’ purpose of championing The University of Texas at Austin by engaging alumni, supporters, and friends to promote the University’s mission and priorities with external governing bodies that influence UT policy and outcomes. The Director identifies, recruits, and cultivates relationships with alumni and supporters who serve in appointed and elected roles, with particular emphasis on the Texas Legislature and the Texas congressional delegation.

The Director monitors legislative and board activity on an ongoing basis and works closely with partner organizations—including the University’s Government Affairs team—to prioritize and coordinate advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels. In this role, the Director helps advance the Texas Exes’ goal of building the nation’s leading alumni advocacy program in support of our alma mater. 

Major Job Functions

  • Identify, recruit, train, and maintain a core group of engaged alumni advocates
  • Identify and monitor legislative, executive, and regulatory governing body activities both in Austin and Washington, D.C.
  • Closely collaborate and partner with UT’s Government Affairs team to advance key priorities of the University and higher education
  • Work closely with the Texas Exes VP of Communications to ensure consistent and excellent messaging
  • Create and manage, in collaboration with the VP of Communications and in close coordination with the UT Government Affairs team, a monthly newsletter to key stakeholders and alumni advocates on important issues, including state and federal legislation and policy, important activities on the UT campus, and other information that furthers our goal of championing UT
  • Interface with Texas Exes leadership to drive awareness of governing body activities and present key strategies for consideration
  • Communicate and coordinate with third party partner organizations to develop situational analysis and strategic response to address and possibly activate alumni advocates
  • Coordinate and execute key functions of the advocacy program, including legislative and congressional engagement
  • Coordinate with other partner organizations
  • Supervise advocacy interns in regular legislative engagement opportunities
  • Dynamically harvest and share key information with advocates to foster and promote connections between state legislators, congressional delegation and their UT constituents
  • Rebuild and manage the Texas Exes Public Affairs Committee 

Essential Job Requirements

  • Five to seven years of experience working in government and public affairs
  • Strong organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to think critically and problem-solve
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, database software, and CRM software
  • Ability to be flexible, to multi-task, to be a self-starter, and to work across departments
  • Ability to communicate with multiple stakeholders
  • Ability to analyze data from multiple sources
  • Strong presentation skills and the ability to succinctly articulate complex issues
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends
  • Ability to travel throughout Texas on a regular basis and occasionally to Washington, DC
  • Discretion in dealing with sensitive information and relationships
  • Bachelor’s degree required with a preference for a post graduate degree
  • A degree from UT Austin is strongly preferred

Other Skills/Abilities/Success Factors

  • Success for this position means coaching and encouraging a defined set of volunteer advocates to confidently advocate for The University and make a positive impression of UT to policy makers.
  • An effective director will be shrewd, non-partisan, and operate with neutrality, cultivating a united sense of purpose for UT Austin advocates.
  • The University of Texas belongs to the state. A successful director will help equip volunteers with the tools and knowledge to persuasively tell the story of UT Austin and its impact on the state.
  • An effective employee will think critically about the ways that the work of the Exes and UT in general connects with state appointed and elected officials. 

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE POSITION: Send a one-page resume to resumes@texasexes.org by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2026. Please put “Director of Advocacy” in the subject line and the body of the email can be considered your cover letter.