Vice President Government Affairs

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Position description

The Vice President, Government Affairs will lead CLIA’s outreach to the US federal government, including Congress and the Executive Branch agencies. In coordination with the SVP, Global Government Affairs, they will monitor legislative policy developments, including tracking and monitoring activities in the U.S. Congress, analyze and report legislative language, and develop and execute on advocacy and lobbying plans.  The Vice President, Government Affairs creates and leads strategic programs to achieve the desired outcomes for legislative policy priorities at the federal level, which will 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. 

Essential Job Functions include the following.  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. 
• 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, 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. 
• Serve as a primary point of contact with external destination and travel organizations for the development of partnerships 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 that 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. 
• Prepared 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 consultant coordination with the SVP. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

• None, with the possibility of adding headcount. 

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Successful track record developing and executing strategic advocacy programs involving multiple levels of policy influencers and other 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 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. 
• Working knowledge of the US federal legislative and federal agency rulemaking process and the ability to lead a coordinated response to  legislation and regulatory rules (Note: CLIA Global Maritime Policy is the primary lead on agency rulemaking with support from CLIA Government Affairs). 
• 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 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.  
• Experience developing and managing budgets. 
• Ability to register as a federal lobbyist. 
• Strong public speaking skills. 
• 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 experience at a trade association, company, or federal agency 
• Direct knowledge of the administrative and rulemaking process 

Work Environment 

• This position is onsite with at least 3 days a week in our 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. 

Application instructions

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