Director of Government Relations

### About BICSI

BICSI is a global professional association with the mission to advance the information and communications technology (ICT) profession. Our vision is to be the preeminent ICT global authority with focused values of Integrity, Service, and Excellence.

### SUMMARY

The Director establishes and leads BICSI’s Government Relations (GR) function, ensuring our policy engagement advances the organization’s mission while remaining fully compliant with applicable laws and regulations worldwide. Reporting to the CEO, the role provides strategic direction, serves as BICSI’s primary spokesperson on policy matters, and safeguards our vendor-neutral, evidence-based posture. The Director collaborates with other departments as needed to ensure technical accuracy, legal soundness, and consistent messaging.

Specifically, the Director will stand up the operating cadence for the GR function (e.g., issue tracker, submissions calendar, document templates, etc.), lead development of position statements and comment letters, and execute targeted engagements with authorities and specifiers to help expand adoption of BICSI standards and recognition of BICSI credentials in policy, procurement, and workforce frameworks.

The Director serves as staff liaison to the Public Policy Committee, channeling member insight while retaining accountability for final positions and deliverables. Success will be measured by timely, cross-reviewed filings, high-quality regulator and specifier briefings, and demonstrable movement in standards and specification citations and credential recognition. All activities are delivered globally, neutrally, and without lobbying or political campaign activity. The position is structured for future growth as the function demonstrates impact and scales.

Reporting to the CEO, this position directly supervises GR staff, including the Policy Engagement Manager and Coordinator; sets priorities, coaches performance, conducts evaluations, and manages contractors or consultants as needed.

This position is based in the Washington, D.C. area with frequent travel to Tampa, Florida.

### Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Government Relations program aligned to BICSI’s mission, values, and governance.
• Develop and execute an annual GR plan with prioritized issues, timelines, deliverables, and performance metrics.
• Represent BICSI with regulators and policymakers, including regulatory stakeholder meetings (pre-rulemaking discussions, RFIs, and notice-and-comment proceedings), briefings, workshops, and public hearings.
• Maintain a vendor-neutral, evidence-based posture in all positions and communications.
• Design and operate the GR operating system (for example, an issue tracker, submissions calendar, document templates, and records management) with clear quality gates, and evaluate and implement additional tools as needed.
• Produce position statements, comment letters, and regulatory filings with cross-department input and counsel review as needed.
• Advance standards adoption and credential recognition through targeted engagements such as technical briefings, specification reviews, and pre-solicitation meetings with authorities, specifiers, and procurement bodies.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Public Policy Committee; set agendas and work plans, document decisions, and drive follow-through.
• Monitor global policy developments, maintain a prioritized opportunities pipeline, and brief leadership on risks, options, and recommended actions.
• Ensure legal and ethical compliance, including documentation, approval gates, and non-participation in lobbying or political campaign activities.
• Define and track metrics; maintain a dashboard and monthly reports to support data-driven adjustments.
• Report results to the CEO, and with prior approval present to the Board through the CEO; adjust plans based on performance.
• Build and manage the GR budget, steward resources, and scope, recommend, and oversee any vendor or consultant engagements.
• Coordinate internal communications to align messaging with other departments and provide timely stakeholder updates.

### Required Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to develop strategy, build executable plans, and manage metrics to set priorities, define success measures, and drive continuous improvement.
• Deep knowledge of regulatory processes and issues management, with the ability to navigate pre-rulemaking stakeholder meetings, RFIs, NPRMs, notice-and-comment, and implementation guidance.
• Advanced policy analysis and writing skills to translate technical input into clear, evidence-based positions and actionable recommendations.
• Strong external representation and communication skills to deliver briefings, speak on panels, handle live Q&A, and provide media-ready statements.
• Proven stakeholder and coalition engagement skills to build productive relationships and influence through education and evidence rather than lobbying.
• Ability to lead cross-department collaboration and align with governance, running structured input and review cycles and consulting counsel as needed.
• Operational excellence in program and quality management, including maintaining calendars, trackers, templates, approval gates, and auditable records.
• People leadership capability to set goals, assign work, coach development, and conduct performance evaluations.
• Vendor and financial stewardship skills to build and manage the GR budget and to scope, select, and oversee contractors or consultants.
• Global competence to work effectively across regions and time zones and to adapt approaches to local contexts while preserving neutrality.
• Proficiency with productivity, issue-tracking, and document collaboration tools required to operate a modern GR function.

### Education & Experience

• An undergraduate degree in a related field (e.g., Information and Communications Technology, Engineering, Public Policy, Political Science, or Business Administration) is required. An advanced degree in a related field is a plus but not required.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible government relations/public policy experience, including 5+ years leading teams with direct staff supervision, is required. Experience standing up or scaling a GR/public policy function is a plus but not required.
• Hands-on management of regulatory stakeholder processes (pre-rulemaking meetings, RFIs, NPRMs, notice-and-comment) with a record of high-quality filings is required. International policy exposure is a plus but not required.
• External representation experience in regulator briefings, workshops, panels, and public hearings is required. Media-facing experience preparing quotes, statements, or testimony is a plus but not required.
• Program and budget ownership, including oversight of vendors/consultants, is required. Demonstrated outcomes with specifiers/procurement leading to standards/specification citations or credential recognition is a plus but not required.
• Cross-functional coordination with legal, technical, and communications partners and experience supporting volunteer committees or boards are required. Prior responsibility for executive-level reporting and Board materials routed through the CEO is a plus but not required.
• Ability to operate across regions and time zones and to adapt to diverse regulatory contexts is required. Prior international work experience is a plus but not required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the role will be considered. High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree preferred (business, marketing, communications, or related field).

### Travel

Up to 25% domestic and international travel, with periodic peaks for regulator and specifier meetings, industry conferences, and Public Policy Committee activities. Some trips may arise on short notice and outside standard business hours to align with global time zones. U.S. passport required and ability to obtain visas; must be able to represent BICSI on site as needed.

### Compensation

Compensation for this role will reflect a range of factors including relevant experience, demonstrated expertise and other considerations. BICSI’s good faith starting salary estimate for this position is $130,000 to $150,000. Additionally, BICSI offers a comprehensive benefits package for its employees.

Director of Government Relations
Send resume to: [email protected]

BICSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled
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