State Government Relations and Grassroots Specialist

Summary

This role encompasses both state legislative responsibilities and grassroots engagement activities. Responsibilities include state legislative and regulatory research and advocacy to support the Government Relations Department goals and objectives on behalf of Wakefern and its Members. Legislative affairs: monitoring of specific state legislative issues; serving as a liaison between Wakefern and state food and business associations; cultivating relationships with state legislators; some direct lobbying. Grassroots engagement: Develop and execute comprehensive grassroots advocacy campaigns to demonstrate support for Wakefern’s policy initiatives. This position will also employ strategies to raise our influence by building relationships with state/federal officials and grow our internal advocate base at the corporate and retail levels.

Essential Functions

State Legislative Affairs Portfolio

• Advise internal and external stakeholders as to the government relations impact on business.
• Deliver updates at internal Committee and Task Force meetings; cultivate cross-section of internal associate relationships to support functional areas within the Cooperative.
• Analyze legislation and propose strategies to amend and improve legislation.
• Participate in development of legislative and lobbying strategies.
• Act as a Wakefern liaison with relevant state trade associations, as assigned.
• Provide state legislative support through tracking legislation for service area states or assigned specific topic areas.
• Engage in member education on primary policy matters.
• Prepare and disseminate written materials, including: legislative action alerts, talking points, monthly reports to leadership audiences, annual reports, and others as needed. Communicate using messages that are tailored to the specific political environment and attuned to the rapid pace of legislative activities.

Grassroots Portfolio

• Develop methods to enhance grassroots objectives and streamline grassroots processes and graphics for executive presentations.
• Continuously communicate with grassroots vendors to evaluate grassroots goals and to expand and enhance deliverables through their platforms.
• Support federal and state store tours in cooperation with lead staff for on-site Cooperative Member/government official interactions, providing materials and logistics support, as required.
• Execute the Get Out the Vote (GOTV) and associate education programs (such as Lunch & Learn webinars), in coordination with the Government Relations Department priorities.
• Maintain outreach contacts in the organizational database and utilize systems to track and evaluate progress toward base-building goals among corporate and retail contacts; employ strategies to grow advocacy base, such as through internal news sources (info portal, LINK, etc).
• Track and evaluate grassroots related initiatives to consistently evolve best practices and refresh the toolkit, including the development of e-advocacy campaign narratives and message testing, and application of other innovations Wakefern may wish to adopt.
• Coordinate activities with federal and state partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Functions

• Attends fundraising and trade association events.
• Represents Wakefern in other forums, as requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• At least 3 years in legislative advocacy and grassroots organizing and/or volunteer mobilization
• Demonstrated writing and editing skills
• Strong organizational, communications, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently with minimum direction, as well as work as a member or leader of a team
• Demonstrated ability to work on fast-paced, time-sensitive matters with internal and external constituents, ensuring work product is timely and accurate
• Experience in successfully coordinating and managing multiple and diverse projects
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse communities and individuals
• Ability to utilize available technology to perform position responsibilities and to amplify results by leveraging new applications
• Ability to work with diverse personalities to promote collaboration within the department and between departments
• Proven organization skills and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and consistently meet deadlines
• Proven skills in policy analysis and research
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with social media platforms and general tech proficiency and ability to learn new applications, including grassroots software; working knowledge of Quorum public affairs software, a plus.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Some travel required for conferences and training, as well as for lobbying and events.
• Ability to travel, work nights, weekends and some overnights.
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule as established by the division (4 days on-site, 1 day remote).

Core Competencies

• Communicate Effectively: Communicates thoughts and ideas in a well-organized manner, encouraging two-way communication.
• Build Relationships: Creates cross-functional partnerships through the development and maintenance of constructive and cooperative relationships.
• Stay Competitive: Demonstrates a mindset of continuous improvement while exhibiting passion and enthusiasm for their work.
• Embrace Change: Looks for new ways of working by supporting advancements in processes and technology.
• Develop You: Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for personal and professional career growth.
• Drive for Results: Supports divisional and strategic objectives through achievement of work goals.