Job Description

The Vice President of Government Affairs (VP), is a senior member of Illinois REALTORS’®management team, and works closely with the CEO, Executive Vice President (EVP) (together known as Executive Staff), other staff Vice Presidents, as well as the association’s government affairs committees, in the implementation of all association public policy, political, electoral and advocacy goals and priorities. The VP is the primary lobbyist and political operative for the association. The VP supervises all governmental affairs staff managers and staff for all governmental programs, including Directors and Senior Directors of State Government Affairs, Local Advocacy, and Advocacy (Political) Programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of and in consultation with the CEO, successfully pursue all lobbying, political, electoral, and advocacy goals and priorities of the association.

• Review and track all legislation introduced in the General Assembly, as well as proposed regulatory policies and administrative rules proposed by the Governor’s administration to determine whether the association should take a position on such proposals
• Direct and coordinate drafts of legislation and regulation between association lobbyist staff and Legal Department staff (i.e., Legislative Counsel) for review, analysis, and assistance in lobbying efforts
• Develop and maintain a strong relationship with the legislative leaders and their political staffs to carry out the legislative and political goals and priorities of the association
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with all legislators; pursue coalitions of Republican and Democratic legislators to support the association’s policy positions on legislation pending in the legislature
• Serve as a liaison between the CEO and the Office of the Governor and senior members of the Governor’s executive staff
• Successfully manage the drafting and passage of the association’s legislative proposals, and successfully lobby for and against legislation based on the association’s positions
• Provide staff support to and seek input from the association’s various governmental affairs committees, task forces, and working groups relating to public policy issues to gain better expertise and ensure where members are regarding various legislative and regulatory issues that arise
• Make use of the association’s various lobbying resources, including “Calls for Action,” and State Legislative Contact program to achieve lobbying goals
• Coordinate and work together with Vice Presidents of the association’s other departments, namely the Marketing & Communications Department and Legal Department to generate grassroots member mobilization in furtherance of the association’s lobbying positions
• Serve in staff leadership role in planning and executing the association’s annual Capitol Conference and other lobbying or political events
• Maintain, enhance and strengthen the association’s reputation as a constructive, trusted, and powerful force for making public policy regarding real estate issues
• Serve as a primary source of education, training and support to members of the association serving in public policy or political volunteer roles

Experience and Professional Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a major advocacy organization, lobbying firm, governmental agency, or legislative office in Illinois. Proven track record of high impact in legislative advocacy.
• Extensive experience managing staff, consultants, and budgets.
• Pre-existing and extensive relationships with members of the Illinois State Legislature.
• Experience managing advocacy campaigns and well-versed in legal requirements associated with lobbying under federal and state laws.

Competencies

• Effective and persuasive communicator, both orally and in writing, to a diversity of stakeholders and other audiences.
• Ability to analyze legislative, policy, and political situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Effectively manage a budget focused on key legislative and budget priorities.
• Ability to collaborate well with colleagues and establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to read, interpret, apply, and explain bills, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for members and other diverse audiences.

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position will have direct supervisory responsibilities over three staff and will manage peers via initiatives and projects.

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