Vice President, Government Affairs

## Job Type
Full-time

## Description

### Job Summary
The Vice President, Government Affairs will lead CLIA’s outreach to the U.S. federal government, including Congress and Executive Branch agencies. In coordination with the SVP, Global Government Affairs, they will monitor legislative policy developments, track and analyze activities in the U.S. Congress, report on legislative language, and develop and execute advocacy and lobbying plans.

The Vice President, Government Affairs creates and leads strategic programs to achieve desired outcomes for federal legislative policy priorities that advance CLIA members’ ability to operate sustainably and grow in the North American market. The position also serves as a primary point of contact for partnerships and collaboration with external destination and travel organizations and industry trade associations.

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## Essential Job Functions
Essential job functions include the following; other duties may be assigned.

– Provide input to the SVP on overall strategic direction and long‑ and short‑term government affairs priorities and initiatives in North America.
– Develop and lead strategic advocacy programs on emerging or pending legislative policy proposals that impact CLIA members’ license to operate and/or grow sustainably.
– Create and lead policymaker outreach programs to educate stakeholders on the industry’s best practices, operational excellence, and promote a positive image of the cruise industry.
– As directed by the SVP, support the CEO on government affairs‑related engagements, including meetings on Capitol Hill, fundraising events, speaking engagements, and policy roundtables.
– Earn the confidence of cruise line government affairs leaders, conduct strategy and update meetings as needed with the SVP, and provide proactive updates to the CLIA Government Affairs Committee as warranted by emerging issues and legislative developments.
– Work closely with leaders in Maritime Policy, Strategic Communications & Research, and other CLIA departments to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to advocacy that fully leverages CLIA resources.
– Serve as a primary point of contact with external destination and travel organizations for partnership development and collaboration on advocacy.
– Develop briefs and strategic messaging on legislative policy priorities for use in meetings with policymakers and policy influencers.
– Engage with House and Senate Leadership and Committee staff as appropriate in advance of hearings, legislative markups, and floor consideration to ensure CLIA’s interests are covered.
– In coordination with the SVP, oversee the creation of government affairs updates, briefs, and presentations for the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
– Play an active role in the strategic promotion and growth of CLIA‑PAC, political giving strategy, and planning of political events.
– Prepare memoranda to inform CLIA leaders and CLIA Members of developments and updates on legislative policy priorities.
– Direct consultants as needed, and oversee annual contracts, budgets, and invoice processing for government affairs consultants in coordination with the SVP.

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## Supervisory Responsibilities
None, with the possibility of adding headcount.

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## Requirements

### Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
– Successful track record developing and executing strategic advocacy programs involving multiple levels of policy influencers and stakeholders.
– Solid knowledge of current and evolving political dynamics that shape legislative policy.
– Experience engaging Congressional and federal agency offices.
– Ability to make sound decisions on unexpected issues requiring immediate handling, including prioritization and resolution of key deliverables.
– Successful track record of ensuring supervisors and organizational leaders are informed of important developments and recommended actions.
– Working knowledge of the U.S. federal legislative and federal agency rulemaking process, and ability to lead coordinated responses to legislation and regulatory rules.
– Ability to navigate complex organizations and interests to achieve consensus.
– Demonstrated skill in identifying intermediate to complex problems, reviewing related information, developing and evaluating options, and implementing creative solutions.
– Ability to work collaboratively and build strategic relationships with colleagues, coworkers, members, legislators, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
– Ability to effectively communicate complex issues verbally and in writing to diverse audiences.
– Experience developing and managing budgets.
– Ability to register as a federal lobbyist.
– Strong public speaking skills.
– High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and legislative tracking software.

### Required Education and Experience
– Bachelor’s degree
– Legislative policy experience on Capitol Hill and direct knowledge of the legislative process

### Preferred Education and Experience
– Graduate degree
– Twelve (12) years of government affairs and advocacy experience at a trade association, company, or federal agency
– Direct knowledge of the administrative and rulemaking process

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## Work Environment
– This position is onsite with at least 3 days a week in the DC office.
– The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

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## Required Travel
Up to 30%, with the potential for some international travel.

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## Physical Requirements
– Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
– Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

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## Other Duties
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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## Reasonable Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

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## EEO Statement
CLIA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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