Director, Federal Legislative Affairs

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Director, Federal Legislative Affairs is one of three full-time legislative advocates for the National Apartment Association in front of Congress. This individual ensures the voices of apartment developers, owners, operators and their partners are heard by Federal legislators on myriad public policy concerns. Each Director is responsible for all aspects of legislative advocacy on a portfolio of policy issues and a set of state Congressional delegations. They work collaboratively with the public policy and regulatory affairs team, industry research and analysis professionals, marketing and communications staff, PAC and grassroots advocacy staff and others. Their overall mission is to proactively lobby on industry issues, respond to federal legislative proposals and educate members of Congress and their staff about the practice of rental housing development and operations.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Expand the voice of the apartment housing industry and advance NAA’s legislative and regulatory agenda by:
• Developing bipartisan relationships with members of Congress, their staff as well as federal agency regulators and staff.
• Collaborating with industry partners, issue coalitions and other stakeholders on ways to advance common policy interests.
• Representing NAAPAC at fundraising events for members of both political parties and both chambers.
• Ensure the goals and objectives of the apartment housing industry are protected by:
• Tracking policy proposals – legislative, regulatory, third-party, etc. – impacting apartment developers, owners and operators.
• Analyzing the impact of policy proposals and developing the appropriate industry position and response.
• Developing proactive strategies to advance NAA’s federal legislative and regulatory agenda.
• Creating collateral materials to help explain the position of the apartment housing industry, including fact sheets, talking points, congressional testimony, news articles or other content.
• Engage affiliated apartment associations and members of NAA in advocacy by:
• Serving as a resource on NAA’s federal legislative and regulatory agenda.
• Briefing NAA’s Legislative Committee, NAAPAC Board of Trustees, Affordable Housing Committee, Board of Directors, grassroots advocates and others as needed on federal legislative and regulatory issues.
• Identifying members with subject matter expertise on key policy concerns and recruiting them into advocacy efforts.

COMPETENCIES:

• Expertise
• Technical capacity
• Communication proficiency
• Cultural Awareness
• Organizational skills
• Relationship Management
• Critical Evaluation
• Ethical Practice

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

TRAVEL:

Little to no travel is expected for this position. If any, travel would be local during the business day.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field
• At least 5 years’ experience in federal advocacy before Congress and the executive branch.
• Quickly learn new and complex policy issues,
• Articulate industry policy concerns and principles,
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally,
• Work collaboratively within a team environment, and
• Manage multiple projects at one time.
• A client-service, ROI mindset that focuses on delivering member value.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of time, to include anticipated NAA meetings and political events.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Capitol Hill and/or trade association experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is regularly performed in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.