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• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

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• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

The Director of Federal Agency Relations represents and advances the University’s interests with federal agencies in support of policy and funding that contribute to the fulfillment of the land-grant mission of education, research, and service. As part of Penn State’s Washington, D.C. presence, the Director develops and implements strategies to increase federal research funding, strengthen institutional visibility, and position the University as a key partner in research and innovation, benefiting national research priorities.

This position works closely with Office of Senior Vice President for Research, research deans, and faculty to identify strategic priorities and facilitate engagement with agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Defense (DoD), Energy (DOE), Health and Human Services (HHS), Transportation (DOT), and other mission-relevant offices.

Key Responsibilities:

Agency Relations & Advocacy

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with officials and staff at key federal agencies.
• Advocate for the University’s research funding and policy priorities.
• Track and analyze agency budgets, policy developments, and initiatives impacting research and development.
• Develop briefing materials and talking points for university leadership and faculty.

Strategic Engagement & Partnerships

• Provide strategic analyses of likely federal agency priorities and directions over the medium and long term.
• Support high-impact agency engagements related to aligned priority research and policy areas, including proactive engagement of Penn State experts as agency programs and priorities are developed.
• Facilitate visits from federal agencies to campuses and facilities.
• Plan and coordinate faculty and leadership visits to federal agencies to advance institutional research initiatives.
• Identify and build partnerships with universities and associations to advance shared research goals.

Information Sharing & Analysis

• Provide timely analysis and reports on agency budgets and spending plans, and policy shifts.
• Provide Penn State researchers with knowledge of RFPs and NOFOs under development
• Communicate relevant messaging on agency p