Senior Director, Legislative Affairs

About Us:

If you are passionate about the ability of American business to improve lives, solve problems, and strengthen society, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the place for you. As the world's largest business organization, we believe in building a future that gives everyone the opportunity to pursue a better tomorrow. We make it our job today-and every day-to build the strongest relationships possible among the American people, business leaders, and elected officials in Washington, D.C., state capitals, and countries around the globe. For them and the businesses we represent, the U.S. Chamber is a trusted advocate and partner.

We are driven by the pursuit of innovation and partnership and hold ourselves to the highest standards. Our commitment to our members is matched only by our commitment to our employees. As part of our team, we will support your long-term career development while delivering relevant learning opportunities. We will empower you to lead, develop deep expertise, and find new approaches to solving the toughest challenges.

Position Overview:

The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing a cohort of states and issues supporting businesses and free enterprise. This will largely include advocacy efforts in state legislatures and partnership with state civil justice groups and state chambers of commerce. It may also include collaboration on federal initiatives and voter education. The candidate will primarily focus on reforming legal systems and perceptions through aggressive advocacy, coalition building, grassroots engagement, and public education plans that impact the public, key opinion leaders, and public officials.

Responsibilities:

• Support ILR member companies with their key legal challenges relating to
  liability-expanding or restraining legislation, primarily in the states.
• Foster and improve relationships with state elected officials and state and local chambers of commerce to advocate for ILR-supported policies and legislative initiatives.
• Advocate for ILR priorities in the states by lobbying directly or managing outside lobbyists or collaborating with state partners, legislators, and legislative staff.
• Develop, maintain, and grow relationships with legal reform stakeholders, including ILR task force members.
• Manage and communicate effectively with ILR's network of state civil justice allies and state chambers of commerce.
• Draft legislative and amendment language that ILR and its state-level partners advance.
• Testify or prepare others to testify before state legislative committees.
• Oversee outside consultants who support ILR's state advocacy program.
• Represent ILR at conferences and coalition meetings, including ILR-hosted events and meetings hosted by other associations and organizations.
• Provide research and analysis and ongoing policy/issue program management.
• Lead update calls and provide strategic counsel with the Chamber Federation, allied groups, and ILR consultants in response to legislative activity.
• Prepare legal memoranda and concise summaries of state-level legislation with liability components relied upon by ILR's senior staff, state-level partners, and member companies.
• Organize and execute meaningful events to educate and inform state allies.
• Leverage state and local chambers and other state partners and coalitions about ILR's federal program.
• Independently perform legal and legislative research.
• Participate with senior staff in strategic program planning and make recommendations regarding the appropriate allocation of resources and budget management.

Qualifications:

• JD and active licensure in 1 of the 50 states.
• A minimum of 5 years of government relations experience.
• Experience in advocacy at the state level in the legislative or executive branch.
• Clear and experienced communicator, including excellent written and verbal skills.
• Competency in creating succinct, thoughtful, and creative presentations, memos, and lobbying materials.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize deadlines and anticipate member, state partner, and team needs.
• Energetic and passionate about legal reform issues and outcomes.
• Confidence in interacting with senior stakeholders and corporate and government executives.
• An understanding and curiosity of complex and changing political and issue environments.
• Motivated to contribute to the development of strategic campaigns that leverage multiple tactics, including grassroots engagement, media, and government relations.
• Experienced collaborator and team player.
• Flexibility to travel domestically.
• Able to be in the office at least two days a week.

The salary range for this position is $ $143,614.00 to $164,000.00. The actual salary paid for this position will vary based on market data, an applicant's qualifications, relevant degrees, certifications, and other factors. Our full-time employees are eligible for benefits, including health care, vision, dental, retirement, and paid leave.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.