Director, Government Affairs – Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

Position: Director, Government Affairs

Classification: Full Time/Exempt
Reports to: President & CEO
Department: Government Affairs
Job Band: B-17

Basic Functions
The Director, Government Affairs of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber is a public policy specialist who coordinates legislative efforts by working with local, state and federal governments. The Director supports the Regional Chamber’s efforts to meet legislative goals by creating policy proposals and working with government agencies and local employers. The Government Affairs Director performs research, organizes events, writes policy and manages internal/external communications.

He/she must have an in-depth understanding of Ohio and U.S. legislative and regulatory processes. He/she must also have extensive knowledge of the substantive public policy and business issues affecting the Regional Chamber, its members, and the communities in our region. He/she will also oversee the communications and activities of the Government Affairs Council and conduct research to monitor and meet annual policy goals.

Qualifications and Requirements
1. Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, journalism, or its equivalent required.
2. Experience in a complex organizational environment.
3. Experience developing policy and strategy on a range of legislative and regulatory issues.
4. Experience developing and implementing communications strategies.
5. Demonstrated community visibility and public relations skills.
6. Community Board leadership.
7. Ability to inspire confidence in a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

General Duties and Responsibilities
The Director, Government Affairs is responsible for leading the Regional Chamber department in the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Serves as a key member of Regional Chamber team, reporting directly to the President & CEO.
2. Works with the President & CEO to ensure functional alignment and integration of all Regional Chamber programs and member or community service initiatives.
3. Enables collaboration across departments and programs to maximize community impact.
4. Achieves revenue and expense goals of the Government Affairs department.
5. Attends executive management staff meetings convened by the President & CEO.
6. Participates in annual professional development/performance planning for his/her role.
7. Performs other duties as assigned by the President & CEO or as deemed necessary to assure the success of the Regional Chamber and its activities.

Specific Position Responsibilities
The Director, Government Affairs is responsible for these specific responsibilities to effectively lead his/her staff:
1. Develop and implement an annual action plan advancing public policy promoting economic prosperity for Regional Chamber members and quality of life for the Mahoning Valley.
2. Build relationships with local government officials by delivering updates at public meetings, organizing roundtables, holding policy conferences, and through other means created by the director or assigned by the President & CEO.
3. Serve as a liaison between Chamber members and local, state and federal governments.
4. Coordinate activities of the Government Affairs Council including monthly meetings, speakers, policies, procedures and membership.
5. Develop the content, agendas and sponsorships for government affairs events including the Columbus Drive-in, D.C. Fly-in, Salute to Elected Officials Wine Tasting, Impact Ohio Policy Conference, Local Government Policy Conference, GAC Holiday Luncheon, Lattes & Legislators speaker series, and other events as appropriate.
6. Organize roundtables for Chamber members to interact with local, state and federal policymakers.
7. Represent the Regional Chamber on the Ohio Metro Chambers Coalition and the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition and with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce policy team.
8. Serve on the Regional Chamber PAC, organize PAC fund-raisers, attend PAC-supported political events, and solicit contributions for the PAC.
9. Advocate three days per month in Columbus for or against specific legislation or executive decisions, and on behalf of Regional Chamber members on specific issues, as determined by the GAC and President & CEO.
10. Advocate three days per quarter in Washington for or against specific legislation or executive decisions, and on behalf of Regional Chamber members on specific issues, as determined by the GAC and President & CEO.
11. Serve as a registered State of Ohio lobbyist representing the Regional Chamber as well as Regional Chamber members utilizing its fee for services advocacy benefit.
12. Create content for a bi-annual public policy agenda and tracking process for results to be presented on an annual public policy scorecard.
13. Update contact list for all local, state and federal officials and their staffs on an annual basis.

Line of Communication and Accountability
The Director, Government & Public Affairs reports directly to the President & CEO. He/she may also provide reports or key information to the Board of Directors as requested by the President & CEO. The Government Affairs Director is also a key external advocate of the Regional Chamber’s programs and services, particularly working with other business associations and leaders in the region, in coordination with the President & CEO.

Performance Standards
The effectiveness of The Director, Government Affairs is measured against annual goals established with the President & CEO for his/her Chamber leadership in the region. These goals are based upon internal and external performance measures articulated in the Regional Chamber’s strategic plan.

Evaluation/Review Process
The effectiveness of the Director, Government Affairs is ordinarily reviewed annually through a professional development and evaluation process facilitated by the President & CEO which includes input from the Director, Government Affairs.

Individuals interested in applying for the Regional Chamber’s government affairs position can send their resume to Sarah Boyarko at sarah@regionalchamber.com.