Summary of Position:

NAMA seeks a high-energy, strategic Senior Director of Government Affairs with proven leadership and communication skills, management experience, and well-developed advocacy skills to join its high-impact team. The Senior Director of Government Affairs drives advocacy efforts on behalf of NAMA members to positively impact public policy in the convenience services industry at all levels of government. The role leverages relationships with regulatory agencies, municipal partners, and state and local elected officials to promote public policy that benefits the interests and competitive advantage of the convenience services industry. This role devises, prepares, and proposes legislation and regulatory strategies that promote the interests of operators, suppliers, and the industry while working year-round to engage and garner member support.

This position manages a team that includes varied contract and consultant relationships as well as the Senior Manager of State Affairs and Manager of Government Affairs. The Senior Director of Government Affairs also manages and oversees relevant coalition activities, advocacy initiatives, and budgets.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop legislative and regulatory policy agendas and accompanying strategies through both internal and external collaborative efforts to advance NAMA priorities.
• Work closely with NAMA senior leadership to develop objectives and strategies on priority policy matters and direct day-to-day activities of the Government Affairs professional staff.
• Guide the execution of the NAMA legislative and regulatory program including:
  • Tracking and reporting on legislative and regulatory issues impacting convenience services in Washington, DC, and across the states.
  • Preparing and providing legislative and regulatory briefings to NAMA members and state affiliates.
  • Preparing and delivering testimony for state and local legislative and regulatory bodies.
  • Directing federal, state, and local regulatory comments.
  • Orchestrating grassroots member advocacy efforts.
• Build and maintain relationships with key policymakers and staff with particular focus on administration officials, regulatory agencies, and Congress.
• Orchestrate and develop the agenda, policy issues, and engagement campaign for the annual Federal Fly-In and Advocacy Summit.
• Drive the development and administration of NAMA PAC.
• Develop and execute strategies required to secure financial resources necessary to achieve the organization’s annual and long-term advocacy objectives.
• Work with the NAMA Communications and Marketing team to develop key messages, presentations, and advocacy-related member communications.
• Develop strong relationships with key constituencies within the industry and become a trusted advisor to NAMA members.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state lobbying regulations.
• Other duties as assigned by NAMA’s Senior Vice President of External Affairs.

Technical Requirements – Education, Areas of Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of experience on Capitol Hill, in federal policy, and/or government affairs
• Experience leading a government affairs program for a trade association, managing a government affairs staff, lobbying resources, or a policy team.
• Understanding of the legislative process at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Thorough understanding of the food and beverage, unattended retail, and/or convenience services industries is a significant plus.
• Ability to develop and oversee completion of an annual and long-term government affairs strategy is essential.
• Ability to manage multiple, high-level programs and projects.
• Comfortable preparing material for internal and external audiences that effectively communicate NAMA positions, outcomes, and value.
• Strong analytical skills, interpretation, and the ability to produce quality research.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Fundraising experience is a value-add.
• Experience building and adhering to annual budgets.

Behavioral Requirements - Personal Skills and Competencies

• Influence—a skillful communicator with the ability to be persuasive and diplomatic in order to drive consensus amongst diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact, diplomacy, and proper etiquette; maintain a professional demeanor in all interactions.
• Effective listening, writing, and communication skills; ability to speak in a confident and professional manner to large groups.
• Intellectual curiosity and drive for learning that spurs a deep understanding and connection to NAMA member business needs and translation to programs, products, and services.
• Creative and innovative thinker who can craft winning advocacy strategies and nimbly adjust to ensure momentum and desired outcomes.
• Ability to mentor and develop the government affairs team.
• Pushes themself and others for results; can be counted on to exceed goals successfully.
• Comfortable accepting the consequences of his/her actions; recognizes their role in the broader success of the team.
• Effectively lead by delegating and empowering staff and contract resources.
• Organizational and political agility with strong project management skills.
• Financial management and budgetary acumen.

About National Automatic Merchandising Association

About NAMA Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $31 billion US convenience services industry. With nearly 1,000 member companies — including many of the world’s most recognized brands — NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership.

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