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Vice President, Government Affairs

Vice President, Government Affairs
Organization: Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Location: Annapolis, MD
Date Posted: 06/13/2024
Job description
Position Summary: The Maryland Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Government Affairs is the executive responsible for leading the 7,000+ member association’s Government Affairs team, and developing, leading, and executing legislative and advocacy strategy for the organization. As the senior-most government affairs professional, the Vice President of Government Affairs serves both as the leader of the Government Affairs operation, is the day-to-day manager of a small GA staff, drives revenue growth and relevance, and is the advisor to association leadership on all matters of legislative consequence. The Vice President of Government Affairs reports to the President & CEO. Must have deep Maryland relationships. Some travel required. Primary Responsibilities: • Serve as a highly engaged, strategic, inspirational and collaborative leader and manager of the Chamber’s Government Affairs team. • Develop and maintain positive working relationships with key elected officials at the state and federal levels to build a better understanding and appreciation for business issues. • Draft testimony and position papers on legislation and policy topics impacting Maryland’s business community in a timely manner. • Prepare and present testimony on the Chamber’s policy positions before relevant legislative and regulatory bodies. • Use contemporary technology, data, and performance metrics to drive successful advocacy outcomes and campaigns. • Conduct and coordinate ongoing environmental scanning to ensure the association is proactively addressing current and emerging public policy issues that impact the Maryland business community. • Develop a competent, well-trained, properly structured, and highly motivated staff capable of achieving departmental and organizational goals. • Train staff on best practices, policy and procedures, program trends and successful partnership with customer/member groups • Establish and communicate performance standards and goals and provide staff with timely and constructive feedback. Provide coaching and technical information to ensure a knowledgeable and skilled staff. • Coordinate staff activities and foster collaborative efforts across divisions • Write blogs, coordinate our podcast and other periodic publications as needed for membership communication purposes. • Lead, manage, develop, and/or participate in various coalitions. • Serves as a member of the Chamber’s Senior Leadership Team. • Coordinate legislative fly-ins, grassroots campaigns, and grass tops initiatives. • Coordinate and lead the Chamber’s Federation, legislative committee, and a number of policy committees. • Direct the development, preparation, and recommendation of short-term and long-range legislative advocacy plans; and implement association public policy strategies to support and enable the organization to execute its long-term strategic goals. • Partner closely with corporate leadership, the Maryland Chamber Board, and other relevant industry associations to understand the impact and significance of potential legislative or regulatory actions on Maryland business’s current and future competitiveness. • Connect leadership with key policy, decision, and influence makers. • Oversee, develop and manage volunteer committees. • Work with other department heads to drive revenue growth, including new and existing membership. Basic Qualifications: The ideal candidate must possess: • Bachelor’s Degree and 8-10 years of government affairs experience. • Established Maryland and Washington relationships that will lead to effective advocacy on behalf of association’s goals. • Significant experience in advancing bi-partisan initiatives through strategic communications to policymakers. • Substantial collaborative skills with a track record of building strong bipartisan relationships. • A proven team player attitude with extensive experience managing, mentoring, and leading teams. • A self-motivated, assertive, and self-confident disposition with the ability to act with urgency and an ability to anticipate and respond quickly to business requirements. • A high degree of emotional intelligence, displaying candor and integrity at all times. • A strong business acumen, strategic thinking ability, and degree of judgment. • Resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm and a results-oriented mindset. • Exceptionally strong oral and written communication skills for effectively interfacing with key policy, decision, and influence makers within the government and private sector. • An entrepreneurial spirit, enjoys working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. • Strong organizational skills to maintain a high level of productivity, reliability, innovation, and priority-setting. • A willingness to work collaboratively by incorporating diverse perspectives and appropriately managing relationships both internal and external. • An ability to manage multiple projects efficiently and concurrently and think through complexity and ambiguity, make thoughtful, integrated, timely and meaningful decisions, and take corresponding actions. • Experience with Maryland state government and the Maryland legislature is required. Preferred Qualifications: • Advanced degree strongly preferred • Maryland state experience required • Previous experience in state and federal government advocacy • Must have meaningful relationships with Maryland elected officials, senior government staff, and access to senior personnel of key government agencies • Exceptional interpersonal and diplomatic skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to work as a member of a highly functional team required • Exceptional oral and written communication skills required • Media relations experience required • A deep understanding of contemporary advocacy communications strategies and tactics required • Proven ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and function effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment Core Competencies: • Unimpeachable integrity and ethical standards • Exceptional interpersonal and diplomatic skills, emotional intelligence, and judgement • Inspirational and visionary leadership and management skills • Strong desire and ability to lead and work on teams • Exceptional oral and written communication skills • Ability and desire to be a strong servant leader in support of the association’s vision and association mission Salary and Benefits: The Vice President, Government Affairs position offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and benefits including medical, 401(k) and employer sponsored parking in historic Annapolis. If interested, please submit both a resume and cover letter no later than July 15, 2024. Please, no calls. Job Type: Full-time Benefits: • 401(k) • 401(k) matching • Dental insurance • Health insurance • Health savings account • Life insurance • Paid parental leave • Paid time off • Parental leave • Retirement plan • Tuition reimbursement • Vision insurance Experience level: • 8 years Schedule: • Monday to Friday Work setting: • In-person • Office
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