Government Affairs

What Will You Do?

This role develops and leads a comprehensive and effective state and local best practice government affairs program to advance and support the Company’s overall business plan and state-specific objectives for our four-state region, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Want More Details on What You Will Do

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other minor duties may be assigned.

• Lead and direct all legislative advocacy activities in multiple states.
  • Development of proactive legislative agendas
  • Development of political contribution plans
  • Participation in the selection, management, and evaluation of contract lobbyists
  • Review and analyze legislation, as needed, to assist area operations and keep internal stakeholders informed
  • Draft amendments, testify and lobby as needed
  • Participate/lead grassroots advocacy groups and other organized coalitions
• Develop, maintain, and foster effective, trusted working relationships with elected officials, appointed, and regulators that enable the effective advocacy of CARD’s agenda.
• Provide information related to current legislative, regulatory, and other government activities to senior staff as appropriate and communicate effectively with appropriate line-of-business managers.
• Perform legislative advocacy activities including direct lobbying for the weaknesses or merits of specific bills to influence passage, defeat, or amendment of measure, or introduction of legislation more favorable to CARDs.
• Approves all responses to all media-related inquiries.
• Plans and implements Four State Area public relations strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Maintains database of public relations contacts.
• Identify emerging policy issues and evaluate the impact on CARDS. Lead teams formed to develop the CARDS response to these policy proposals, and communicate with sales, public sector services, operations, etc.
• Participate on Boards of Non-Governmental Organizations that help advance relationships with key stakeholders.
• Call upon state agency officials and staff, state legislators, congressional delegation, and industry trade associations, periodically to discuss current issues involving the company and the industry.
• Ensure the company complies with all campaign finance and lobbying/ethics laws.

Qualifications You Will Need to be Successful

The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications necessary to perform the job.

A. Education and Experience

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree, in Political Science, Public Affairs/Relations, Business Administration or similar area of study, and ten or more years previous government affairs.

B. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations or Other Requirements

• None required.

C. Other Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required

• Strong Presence and Leadership including employee management and development.
• Program and project management, budget development, and monitoring.
• Strategic thinking, organizational change management and development.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. Proven ability to interact with all levels of the organization.

Preferred:

• Strong knowledge of legislation process
• Ability to influence and develop strong relationships
• Corporate lobbying experience
• PAC Engagement/Management
• Environmental background

Benefits

At CARDS, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.