Director, Governmental Affairs

JOB SUMMARY

The Director, Governmental Affairs will be responsible for developing and implementing federal legislative and political strategy for ITC Holdings and directing issues for Fortis Inc’s other U.S. subsidiaries in support of key corporate objectives. This position will manage the workload and direct and coordinate federal policy advocacy on behalf of ITC Holdings and Fortis U.S. subsidiaries, with focus on corporate tax issues, trade, federal environmental policy, natural gas policy, and other cross-cutting issues. The position provides strategic counsel and intelligence to internal business leaders and leverages relationships with key policymakers to advance corporate priorities in Washington, DC.   This role advocates policies and maintains positive relationships with the federal government (including Congress, Executive Branch and relevant federal agencies) and other stakeholders and industry groups. The position is responsible for developing integrated persuasion campaigns on critical issues, leading internal teams of subject matter experts, and leading resources including trade associations, political organizations, and NGO’s to achieve targeted outcomes. The ideal candidate will have established strategic relationships within the government affairs arena and must be able to maintain and grow a network of strategic relationships in the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, political organizations, industry groups, trade associations, think tanks and other stakeholders to benefit the businesses. The position also is responsible for helping manage corporate participation in trade associations leveraging senior executives’ participation in those venues, and providing staff support and advice to Senior Executives in their interactions with federal officials. Candidates must have the acumen to understand business objectives and relevant federal legislative and/or regulatory knowledge to shape federal policy. Candidates must also have substantive industry expertise to effectively communicate business impacts to federal elected officials and the array of decision-makers in the federal policy arena.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and executes complex advocacy campaigns to promote corporate business objectives in the federal legislative arena. 
• Directly lobbies and conveys advocacy positions to Congress, the Executive Branch including the White House, Department of Energy, and other Administration officials and staff on tax, trade, environmental policy, natural gas issues, and other relevant energy policy as directed.
• Develops integrated strategies to shape federal policy leveraging all available resources including internal support from Fortis U.S. subsidiaries, policy, legal, communications, lines of business staff, retained resources, executives, trade associations and coalitions, and relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinates federal advocacy strategies across U.S. Fortis subsidiaries for key cross-cutting issues, including corporate tax, trade, environmental, natural gas, and other issues as directed.
• Directs and deploys internal staff resources and external consultants to achieve business objectives in the federal arena.
• Identifies, communicates and analyzes opportunities and threats to internal clients and senior execs posed by potential federal legislative and political developments.
• Utilizes and maintains strategic relationships with key Members of Congress, Congressional staff and Executive Branch including: Key House and Senate Committee Members and staff,  Congressional delegations from states and districts where corporate assets are located, other Congressional offices of relevance to the industry, House and Senate leadership, White House, Federal Agencies – staff and officials and other independent agencies as needed
• Manages Corporate federal policy agenda and participation in key trade associations, coalitions and political organizations as directed by VP, Federal Affairs
• Plays leadership role in trade associations to influence policy setting
• Leverages Senior Executive participation in trade associations and political organizations as part of larger strategy to influence policy and maintain corporate political profile
• Provides staff support and strategic advice to Senior Executives in their participation in these venues
• Work with the local government affairs teams at each of the Fortis Subsidiaries to design and advance favorable legislative policy positions and strategies.
   

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Business Administration, or relevant field.  Equivalent combination of experience and/or education may also be considered.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of legislative experience (e.g. Legislative Assistant or Legislative Director, or federal or state agency experience) is required along with utility and/or energy experience
• Previous lobbying experience required.  Registered as a federal lobbyist and must abide by all applicable ethics and disclosure rules/laws.
• Ability to collaboratively develop strategies with the business, while providing guidance on federal government relations aspects of those strategies
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior executives, regulators, legislators and other elected and appointed public officials (legislative and executive branches)
• Proven track record of internal and external-facing personal advocacy and relationship building
• Proven track record of delivering results in developing and implementing advocacy 
• High communication skills, for both external communications and internal communications (including the ability to engage with team members across the organization from a satellite office)
• Ability to focus on results, able to meet deadlines, manage multiple tasks and be comfortable in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced knowledge of the legislative process required; knowledge of regulatory processes preferred.
• Ability to interact professionally and in a bi-partisan fashion with external stakeholders.
• Travel required to headquarters, for political functions and for industry-wide events (1-2 overnight trips per month).
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer. ITC does not sponsor employment visas, such as H-1B or TN visas.