Senior Director, External Affairs, Governmental Relations

Base Pay
$120,000.00 – $130,000.00 / Year

Employee Type
FT Exempt

Manage Others
Yes

Minimum Experience
5 Years

Contact Information 
Name: Katie M. Riordan
Email: [email protected]

Description

SUMMARY

Under supervision of the Chief, Governmental Relations, this position is responsible for the oversight of CSBA’s grassroots program; to oversee state and local outreach, establish and coordinate membership training efforts; supervise a team of grassroots professionals; supervise grassroots programs and outreach to association members and other partnering industries; assist with Political Action Committee fundraising efforts; coordinate CSBA’s efforts relating to statewide ballot measures including signature gathering and “get out the vote” efforts; promote CSBA legislative priorities, develop, summarize, and maintain various reports and records; foster cooperative working relationships among Association staff and act as liaison with various legislative, educational, community, public, and government agencies; and perform related work as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises a team of regionally based public affairs and community engagement representatives (PACERs) across the state of California.
• Executes CSBA’s grassroots programs designed to identify and train local school and county board of education members for grassroots political action.
• Fosters and supports legislative and political allies and facilitates the interaction between state and federal legislators and candidates with school board members at the local, county, and regional level.
• Coordinates grassroots efforts throughout California to maximize the political effectiveness of CSBA statewide and in Sacramento and Washington D.C.; coordinates state and federal legislator participation in CSBA’s local, county, and regional activities.
• Oversees association grassroots program, including educating school board members on the importance of advocacy work.
• Identifies and implements successful grassroots motivation, activation, and management systems.
• Supervises a team of grassroots professionals throughout the state; including hiring, training, and supervising professional staff who work in assigned territories throughout California.
• Develops strategic grassroots engagement activities designed to enhance the association’s advocacy program on legislative, political, and statewide ballot issues.
• Identifies opportunities within key legislative and congressional districts to engage local school board members to participate in local, county, and regional policy meetings.
• Collaborates with CSBA departments on communications, services, and marketing strategies.
• Maintains key relationships with political and legislative insiders at the state and federal level.
• Advises on strategies to be used to forward the political and legislative priorities of the Association at the state and federal levels.
• Plans winning campaign strategies to achieve CSBA’s legislative agenda and priorities; develops work plans, tactics, and budgets for such campaigns.
• Assists with Political Action Committee fundraising and reporting activities.
• Travels throughout the state of California.
• Develops methods to effectively communicate Association positions on proposed legislation to congressional members, legislators, legislative committees, Association leaders, Legislative Committee, CSBA staff, community groups, and others.
• Assists in the development and implementation of the Association’s legislative strategy; contributes to the development of the Association’s position on bills, issues, and policies.
• Writes background papers, letters, action alerts, and presentations for advocacy at the Federal and State levels.
• Contributes to Association publications and reports.
• Represents and advocates for the Association on statewide and national campaigns, committees, and advisory groups.
• Develops collaborative relationships with policymakers, government officials, school districts, county offices of education, and other representatives, and community groups to support the Association’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Serves as a liaison to employees, the public, private organizations, community groups, and government and local educational agency officials.
• Participates in the development and implementation of new or revised grassroots and legislative action programs, systems, procedures, and methods of operation.
• Communicates orally, in writing, or through graphic representations and technical summaries with grassroots staff, colleagues, managers, the public, and representatives of various organizations.
• Prepares and submits Board of Directors and Delegate Assembly agenda reports and various other committee and staff reports and correspondence regarding assigned program activities.
• Participates in the development and administration of the department’s annual budget.
• Participates in and makes presentations to the Board of Directors, Delegate Assembly, and a wide variety of committees.
• Reads and demonstrates an understanding and adherence to CSBA values, policies, and practices.
• Demonstrates respect, honesty, and professionalism at all times.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position provides for a wide variety of independent decision-making, within legal and general policy and regulatory guidelines. This position is required to manage and direct other staff, with the responsibility of overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of those roles.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree or higher with major coursework in business administration, public administration, government, legal, or political sciences, or related field with at least 5 years of experience in campaign consulting, political fundraising, grassroots development, legislative representation, research, analysis, and evaluation, or a related field.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Political and grassroots campaign development strategies.
• Legislative practices and processes.
• Political Action Committees: structures, laws, rules, regulations, and fundraising strategies.
• Federal, State, and local laws relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Research design, methods, analysis, and reporting.
• Public relations techniques.
• Business writing, report preparation, and data management.
• Office management practices and computer applications.
• Effective communication skills.

Ability to:

• Perform responsible and difficult legislative research and analysis.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical and legal information.
• Travel throughout the state of California.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
• Organize and prioritize projects.
• Communicate effectively in various settings.
• Work remotely and set and monitor Association objectives.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Employee’s work will involve travel, primarily in a car in a sedentary sitting position over extended periods.
• Must be able to travel to various locations throughout California, including occasional overnight stays.
• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s license by the time of appointment.

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