Public Affairs Director

Job Description

We are looking for someone who provides leadership, administration, and management support for Oregon State Bar (OSB) Public Affairs and other policy initiatives. This position is authorized to work a hybrid schedule.

What You Will Do:

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the Public Affairs Department’s Law Improvement Program process in compliance with OSB bylaws and policy set by the Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer (CCPAO); the Chief Executive Officer (CEO); and Board of Governors (BOG). Recommends to the CCPAO and CEO changes to OSB policies and procedures that relate to public affairs and legislative efforts.
• Assists the CCPAO to direct, oversee and evaluate OSB Public Affairs programs, services, and activities—including but not limited to legislative and policy monitoring, review, analysis, response, development, influence, and information dissemination—ensuring they support the mission, functions, goals, and values of the OSB, and that they are run efficiently and effectively. Assists the CCPAO to develop the long- and short-range plans for the Public Affairs department in support of the OSB’s overall mission, functions, goals, values, and strategic plans.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with bar leaders, government entities, state and local community organizations, and others to ensure exchange of information on legislative, policy, and communications issues of interest to the OSB.
• Serves as bar staff liaison to the Board of Governors (BOG) Public Affairs Committee. In collaboration with the CEO and CCPAO provides public policy information, advice, and guidance to the BOG and its Public Affairs Committee.
• Educates and coaches bar leaders on how to effectively participate in the legislative/political process in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Supervises direct public affairs administrative reports including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, retention, scheduling, coaching, professional development, reviewing work, and evaluating performance. Makes recommendations to the CCPAO and CEO on employment and termination of department administrative staff.
• Develops the annual public affairs budget with approval of the CCPAO and CEO for submission to the BOG.
• Fosters cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork with department and among other OSB departments and respective chief officers, directors, managers, and staff to provide customer service orientation toward internal and external recipients of public affairs services.
• Models’ behavior and provides leadership that values diversity and incorporates inclusive and culturally competent practices.
• Participates nationally with the National Association of Bar Executives. Works with stakeholders to share resources and best practices.
• Participates as a member of the OSB Communications and Public Affairs Department.
• Assist with the utilization of OSB’s Program Measures to substantiate management and program performance that demonstrate alignment of the OSB’s mission and goals.
• Analyzes alternative policy options and consequences while identifying political problems.
• Provides support to bar sections, committees, task forces, and local bar committees.
• Coordinates the dissemination of issue and legislation information within the bar to include contributions to the Capitol Insider and the bar’s web page.

Other Duties:

• Serves as bar liaison to sections, committees, task forces, and other groups, as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

You may have any satisfactory equivalent combination of the following experience & training that ensures your ability to perform the work. We welcome the opportunity to review your background.

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a BA or BS degree in law, government relations, public policy, or public administration, communications, preferred. Graduation from an accredited school of law and admission to the practice of law in Oregon.

Three years of experience in communications, government relations, or legislative staff service in Oregon with issue management type experience.

Three years of experience in program administration in a non-profit, corporate, or legal environment to include program planning, development, administration, analysis, evaluation, and budgeting.

Demonstrated knowledge of courts, lawmaking, and governmental processes in general and familiarity with the Oregon judicial and legislative systems as well as regulations pertaining to lawyers.

Supervisory experience that demonstrates knowledge, understanding, utilization, and application of personnel management practices.

Interpersonal and conflict resolution skills with demonstrated ability to listen to understand and manage difficult conversations.

Effective written and oral communication abilities across both in-person and virtual platforms. Capable of communicating to broad constituency through compelling public speaking and adept public relations tactics, including interactions with the state legislature and its associated committees.

Effective and productive use of time management practices, prioritizing, multi-tasking, and working in a fast-paced, detail-driven, service-oriented environment.

Self-motivation skills requiring minimal supervision with ability to balance independent and team-oriented work.

Proven expertise in utilizing Microsoft 365 within a Windows operating environment with a focus on applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook. Proficient in database software usage. Ability to become familiar with OSB-specific programs and software.

Ability to be flexible, agile, and resilient in addressing expected and unexpected situations.

Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and provide a high level of customer service for a potentially demanding customer base in a variety of situations and with various interest groups or individuals with conflicting and competing needs, desires, and demands.

Ability to exercise sound judgment in keeping with the policies and objectives of the CE department and the Oregon State Bar.

Demonstrated ability to build constructive and collaborative working relationships with and among various interest groups.

Commitment to the concept of teamwork and cross-responsibility within a department.

Job Related Physical Characteristics:

• Ability to communicate in person, in writing, by email, by telephone, and other communication media, e.g., video conferencing.
• Ability to operate a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to manipulate data for program purposes and typing.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to use standard office equipment and computer peripherals.
• Ability to work in a moderately noisy, open environment.
• Ability to perform considerable detailed work requiring concentrated effort.
• Ability to travel overnight, inside, and outside Oregon, to meetings and seminars.
• Ability to work in an office and remotely as needed.
• Ability to perform as a public speaker before a range of groups.

For this exempt position, the salary range is $115,856-144,799.20 annually. The OSB offers excellent benefits including voluntary 6% participation in the PERS program.

If this sounds like a position that interests you, please visit Motus recruitment website to apply for this opportunity.