Vice President, Government Affairs

Vice President, Government Affairs

The California News Publishers Association Services, Inc. (“CNPA”) is seeking a vice president of government affairs to represent the California news industry in Sacramento. This executive will play a central advocacy role for the 138-year-old state press association, building relationships with key California legislators and officials, staking out our advocacy positions on major legislation, and working with the CNPA Chief Executive Officer and members of the Board of Directors (“Board”) to defend the interests of news organizations. The successful applicant will organize the association’s Government Affairs Day, held annually at the beginning of the session each year, arranging speakers and meetings for board members with key officials. Keeping track of legislation that affects the industry and forming coalitions to address legislation with similarly situated groups will be important parts of the job. This is a unique opportunity to serve as a lead advocate for California journalism.

Responsibilities

· Arrange and lead meetings with key Sacramento stakeholders for news industry leaders.

· Draft and submit timely position letters to the California Legislature on business, privacy and transparency legislation that affects the industry.

· Testify – or prepare board members to testify – in the California Legislature on policy issues or pending legislation that affects the news industry.

· Maintain a tracker following key pieces of legislation and regulatory developments.

· Work with CEO and Board members to formulate CNPA’s positions on major issues affecting the industry such as generative artificial intelligence and state efforts to fund journalism.

· Maintain relationships with key legislative and state staffers and advise on language of pending legislation and revisions to such legislation.

· Keep CNPA members informed with regular updates and an e-newsletter on pending legislation, important policy developments, and regulatory matters.

· Facilitate and organize Board committee meetings, including the government affairs discussions at these meetings.

· Oversee the activities of lobbying firms or public affairs consultants that the association may engage to ensure that we are reaching our legislative objectives.

· Organize and participate in coalitions of aligned groups or associations to highlight key matters of concern for the news industry, whether related to employment, business or privacy or to the Public Records Act, the Brown Act, the Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act or other transparency laws or regulations.

· Represent CNPA in media and public events, as directed by CEO.

· Mobilize members to participate in state or local government hearings, legislative or other public meetings, letter-writing campaigns, and other advocacy activities.

· Maintain all required lobbying registrations, records, reports, and ethical standards.

Job Qualifications

· Three years of experience or more in legislative advocacy or government relations.

· Thorough knowledge of the California Legislature and the workings of California state and local governments, including understanding of the legislative process and deadlines.

· Bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in public policy, journalism or a related field.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to break down complex legislation into concise talking points.

· Experience with public speaking, including preferably testimony in the Legislature or at public meetings.

· A developed network of contacts with state and local officials, staffers, and interest groups.

The compensation package will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience.

Equal Opportunity Statement

CNPA is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Interested and qualified candidates should email their resume and a brief introduction to [email protected]