Director, Government Affairs

Summary

The Director serves on the Global Government Affairs team and supports its advocacy at the federal and state levels. In addition to supporting the federal advocacy in Washington, D.C., the Director will assist in covering CLIA’s portfolio of issues at the state and local levels. This includes monitoring policymaking activity at the federal, state and local levels, tracking legislative and regulatory development and assisting in tracking the team’s outreach and engagement with elected officials and their staffs.

As part of the state and local portfolio, the Director supports the team’s engagement with CLIA’s U.S. port stakeholders to advance CLIA’s priorities with a goal of building out support beyond just the ports themselves to a broader network of cruise community supporters. The Director also helps the Senior Vice President and Vice Presidents with CLIA Government Affairs Committee meetings, prioritizing agenda items, background materials, and meeting follow-up items.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for tracking and analyzing legislative and other policy matters of interest to the cruise line community.
• Support day-to-day monitoring of legislative activities at the state and local levels in the United States.
• Develop and lead a strategic cruise ports program, in collaboration with the Vice President of Government Affairs and other CLIA functions, that effectively addresses priority issues.
• Develop recommendations to support CLIA’s political action committee.
• Broaden and build solid relationships at the state and local levels, and with port partners.
• Devise and execute third-party stakeholder engagement strategies to build support for CLIA’s legislative priorities and/or provide bridges to important stakeholder communities.
• Assist with the day-to-day engagement with state-level external government affairs consultants.
• Plan and execute, as appropriate, grassroots programs in support of legislative priorities.
• Prepare memoranda on legislation of interest to CLIA’s membership on bill introductions, hearings, mark-ups, floor action, etc.
• Represent CLIA at meetings with legislators, civic and community leaders, and other trade associations.
• Direct regular communications to CLIA members on important developments in government affairs.
• Engage with other departments in CLIA to leverage cross-functional expertise and coordinate strategic activities that advance government affairs priorities.
• Draft articles for internal and external use with updates on legislative activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in government, political science, public policy or similar concentration. Advanced degree in the above areas of study a plus.
• Seven years or more of experience in a legislative policy position on Capitol Hill or at the state or local level.

Qualifications:

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Proven ability to think and lead strategically.
• Successful track record of conceptualizing, drafting, and moving legislation.
• Ability to navigate complex organizations and interests to achieve consensus.
• Familiarity with best practices and processes with lobbying and stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of legislative strategy and the policymaking process.
• Maritime, shipping, cruise, travel and tourism or other related industry trade association experience a plus.

Work Environment

• This position is on site in CLIA’s Washington, D.C. office.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Required Travel

• Up to 25% of business 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.