Vice President, Government Affairs

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Job Summary

The Vice President, Government Affairs creates and leads strategic programs to achieve the desired outcomes for legislative policy priorities at the state and local levels, which advance CLIA members’ ability to operate sustainably and grow in the North American market. Additionally, the Vice President manages engagement with U.S. port stakeholders to advance CLIA priorities, cultivating a broad network of cruise community supporters.

Essential Job Functions (Other duties may be assigned)

• Provide input to the SVP on overall strategic direction, long- and short-term direction on 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.

• Responsible for covering legislative and other policy matters related to government fees and taxes, environment, customs, and pilotage, among other issues at the state and local levels.

• Support day-to-day monitoring of legislative activities at the state and local levels in the United States.

• Lead a strategic cruise ports program, in coordination with other CLIA functions, that effectively address priority issues at specific ports that ensures CLIA members’ license to operate and grow sustainably.

• Create and lead policymaker and policy influencer outreach programs to educate stakeholders on the industry’s best practices, operational excellence, and promote a positive image of the cruise industry.

• Represent CLIA members before elected officials at the state and local levels to advance the association’s positions on legislative policy.

• As directed by the SVP, support the CEO on government affairs related engagements, including meetings, fundraising events, speaking engagements, and policy roundtables.

• Earn the confidence of cruise line government affairs leaders, conducting 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 the Maritime Policy, Strategic Communications & Research, and other CLIA departments to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to advocacy that fully leverages the resources of CLIA to achieve goals.

• Develop briefs and strategic messaging on legislative policy priorities for use in meetings with policymakers and policy influencers.

• 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.

• Direct consultants as needed, and oversee annual contracts, budgets, and invoice processing for government affairs consultant coordination with the SVP.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises one (1) Senior Manager, Government Affairs.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Successful track record developing and executing strategic advocacy programs involving multiple levels of policy influencers and other stakeholders

• Five (5) years of supervisory experience

• Experience developing and managing budgets

• Solid knowledge of current and evolving political dynamics that shape legislative policy.

• Ability to make sound decisions on issues that arise unexpectedly and require immediate handling, and the prioritization and path to successful resolution on key deliverables.

• Successful track record of ensuring that the supervisor and other organizational leaders are informed of important developments and recommended actions.

• Ability to navigate complex organizations and interests to achieve consensus.

• Demonstrated skill in identifying intermediate to complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement creative solutions.

• Ability to analyze complex data and identify trends and/or emerging issues.

• Ability to work collaboratively and build strategic relations with colleagues, coworkers, members, legislators, community leaders, and other stakeholders.

• Ability to effectively communicate complex issues and ideas verbally and in writing so a wide variety of audiences can understand the subject and strategic ideas being conveyed.

• Ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining quality of work and meeting deadlines.

• High degree of 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 progressive experience at a trade association, company, or federal agency

• Maritime, shipping, cruise, travel and tourism or other related industry trade association experience a plus.

Work Environment

• This position is onsite in CLIA’s Washington, DC office.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Required Travel

• Up to 30% with the potential for some international travel.

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.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable Accommodation

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

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.