Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pasadena, California
Princeton, New Jersey
New York, NY, 10176, USA
Stanford, California
Posted: 29-Sep-25
Location: Washington, D.C.
Type: Full Time
Salary: $300,000 - $350,000
Salary Details:
Required Education:
ABOUT US
Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association representing financial services companies and manufacturers in the $1.3 trillion U.S. equipment finance sector. Our members provide the financing that businesses need to operate and grow. ELFA serves its member companies by:
- Promoting and advocating for the industry.
- Offering opportunities for convening and networking.
- Attracting and developing new, diverse talent.
- Offering professional development and training.
- Providing industry insights and research.
Governed by a 27-member board of directors, ELFA operates with an annual budget of $14 million and a staff of 20+ professionals, including senior leaders in finance, governance, government relations, membership, communications, and research.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Vice President of Policy & Government Affairs provides strategic vision and leadership to shape ELFA’s advocacy agenda, protect the interests of the equipment finance industry, and position the association as a trusted voice with policymakers, regulators, and the media. Reporting to the President & CEO, this role is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive federal and state government relations strategies that advance ELFA’s mission and amplify the industry’s impact.
This senior leadership position oversees advocacy strategy, policy analysis, coalition engagement, and political action activities while fostering collaboration across ELFA departments and member organizations. The SVP is also responsible for mentoring a high-performing team, managing key external relationships, and serving as a senior advisor to ELFA’s Board and Executive Committee on emerging policy challenges and opportunities.
In addition to the qualifications for this position, candidates will identify with the following core values:
- Mission Driven: motivated by the greater purpose of serving our members and achieving the ELFA’s objectives.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit: belief that goals can be achieved, and obstacles overcome through ownership of responsibilities in our individual portfolios.
- Intellectually Curious: seeks new experiences, searches for knowledge, and solicits candid feedback with an openness to learning and growing.
- Professionally Rigorous: pursues opportunities that strengthen current skill set and close skill set gaps that are necessary to advance career path.
- Willing Pioneer: Understands ELFA’s vision in order to bring clarity to ambiguity, solutions to challenges and willing to iterate until best practices are adopted.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Advocacy Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and implement forward-looking federal and state government relations strategies aligned with ELFA’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Serve as ELFA’s primary representative with Congress, federal agencies, state policymakers, and allied organizations, positioning the association as a trusted voice for the equipment finance industry.
- Anticipate and proactively respond to emerging legislative and regulatory issues impacting the industry, particularly tax policy, financial regulation, and Dodd-Frank §1071.
Policy Analysis & Communication
- Oversee the monitoring, research, and analysis of legislative and regulatory developments, providing timely updates and guidance to ELFA leadership, members, and committees.
- Draft and oversee the development of position papers, comment letters, testimony, and other advocacy materials.
- Translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences, including policymakers, members, and media.
Coalition Building & External Engagement
- Build and sustain strong relationships with policymakers, regulators, industry coalitions, and peer associations to advance shared goals.
- Represent ELFA in coalitions, working groups, and public forums, ensuring the equipment finance industry’s perspectives are effectively communicated.
- Identify opportunities to expand ELFA’s influence through partnerships and joint initiatives at the federal and state levels.
Member & Board Engagement
- Partner with members through advocacy committees, working groups, and fly-ins to ensure their voices are represented in ELFA’s policy agenda.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Committee on emerging policy challenges and opportunities.
- Provide regular updates, reports, and strategic recommendations to member leadership bodies.
Team Leadership & PAC Oversight
- Lead, mentor, and develop ELFA’s Policy and Government Affairs team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
- Oversee and guide the association’s Political Action Committee (PAC), ensuring compliance and alignment with advocacy priorities.
- Manage external consultants, vendors, and resources to maximize effectiveness and impact of advocacy activities.
Basic Qualifications:
- 12+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, or advocacy, ideally within financial services, trade associations, or related regulatory fields.
- Strong knowledge of the U.S. legislative and regulatory processes, with direct or related experience on issues such as tax policy and financial regulatory reform (e.g., Dodd-Frank §1071).
- Established, trusted relationships with Congressional offices, federal agencies, and state policymakers.
- Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling messages for multiple audiences.
- Demonstrated success in leading teams, managing cross-functional initiatives, and working with boards, committees, and external partners.
- Hands-on experience executing advocacy campaigns, including lobbying, coalition-building, and grassroots engagement.
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Business, or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree (JD, MBA, MPP, or related field).
- Senior-level experience in a trade association or member-driven organization.
- Familiarity with PAC operations, fundraising, and compliance.
- Background in equipment finance, commercial lending, or broader financial services.
- Public-facing experience as a spokesperson, testifying before Congress, or serving as an industry thought leader.
- Strategic foresight in anticipating legislative and regulatory trends to position an industry for success.
- Experience leading or engaging in multi-stakeholder coalitions at both the state and federal levels.
- Global or cross-border policy exposure (helpful but not required).