​Overview: The Sr. Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs is responsible for strategic guidance and support in all matters related to government relations and public affairs for Espousal Strategies and our clients. This position is responsible for delivering outstanding service to our clients, building our government relations practice, and providing result-driven management of the government relations and public affairs team.

 

Position Reports to: President

 

Classification: Exempt

 

Apply by November 8th COB at Eshr@espousalstrategies.com. Applications must contain Resume and Cover letter.

 

Who are we?

We are a boutique government, community, and public affairs firm focused on collaborative problem solving, equity and inclusion, issue lobbying, and coalition building.

 

We help public and private organizations solve their community's most pressing problems with innovative solutions rooted in equity and collaboration.

 

What is the job?

This position successfully manages Espousal Strategies’ government relations and public affairs team, coming to the role with already-established networks and key connections in the Oregon and Washington markets.

 

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a leader to lead our public and government affairs efforts, creating and managing regional, local, and national initiatives that advance solutions and engage partners around client and firm objectives.

We are looking for a self-starting, versatile problem solver who can build and implement an effective public and government affairs strategy in a dynamic environment. The experience to know when to be flexible and pivot strategy versus staying the course and maintaining a steady approach will be important.

 

You are an unconventional and effective government/ public affairs professional, with 10 years of government relations / public affairs experience. You are a coalition builder with a demonstrated record of advancing policy in legislative bodies and at the local level. You are a results-oriented leader who’ve successfully managed teams towards actionable results. You are an entrepreneur who is excited about building a government and public affairs practice for a Black-led public affairs firm, and comfortable contributing to the firm’s business development strategy and business model.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

 

• Manage the development and implementation of a comprehensive business strategy for government relations and public affairs aligned with Espousal Strategies’ mission and objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure government relations and public affairs activities align with overall organizational goals.

• Provide active oversight and management of the government relations and public affairs team, ensuring deliverables meet all goals and objectives, and are achieved according to schedule.

• Proactively identify, define, and champion new opportunities to build our reputation, brand, business, and mitigate risk in areas where there are political challenges.

• Build and maintain relationships with government leaders, policymakers, regulators, non-profit partners, and influencers.

• Build and maintain relationships with government officials, policymakers, regulators, non-profit leaders, and other influential figures at the local, regional, and national levels. Conduct research and analysis on policy issues relevant to Espousal Strategies' clients.

• Identify and monitor relevant bills, legislative and regulatory developments, and policy initiatives.

• Analyze opportunities, changes and proposals to provide insightful and actionable strategic guidance to clients.

• Provide effective lobbying, public affairs, and coalition management support to advance our clients’ legislative, regulatory, and policy objectives.

• Develop and implement effective communication strategies to engage and inform government officials and policymakers. Engage in grassroots advocacy efforts, including mobilizing supporters and coordinating advocacy campaigns.

• Prepare position papers, presentations, testimony, briefing materials, policy recommendations, and written communications for internal and external stakeholders.

• Represent Espousal Strategies and its clients in meetings, hearings, and public forums, effectively advocating for client positions and priorities.

• Assist in the drafting and editing of public statements, press releases, and other external communications related to government relations and public affairs.

• Create and monitor accurate budgets for assigned teams, projects, and tasks, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with FAR rules.

• Represent Espousal Strategies in a positive and professional manner to interested parties and partners, clients, peers, public officials, community groups, and other business partners.

• Attend business related functions as requested by the President.

 

Business Development

• Work with the President, setting quarterly and yearly growth targets and successfully owning the executing of them.

• Proactively pursue business and potential clients, developing strategies to procure business.

• Contribute to the development of new business proposals, including strategy, narrative, resourcing, and budgets.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Actively supervise assigned staff and interns.

• Monitor activities, coach, mentor, and provide performance feedback as necessary to staff.

• In collaboration with the President, screen, interview, and select government relations and public affairs team hires.

• Work with the President to establish team performance metrics and manage team towards achieving utilization rates, revenue targets, and other metrics to ensure top performance.

 

Other Responsibilities:

• Provide the President with on-going reports on department activities at least on a weekly basis.

• Other responsibilities as assigned by the President.

 

Knowledge & Skills:

• Excellent in-depth knowledge of the Oregon legislature, government structures, legislative processes, and regulatory frameworks.

• Excellent understanding of public policy issues related to Espousal Strategies’ mission and goals.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and provide sound advice and guidance.

• Demonstrated history of managing diverse and highly performing teams. Ability to coach and mentor staff and effectively manage performance.

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with government officials and key stakeholders. Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, in a persuasive and collaborative manner.

• Excellent presentation skills. Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of populations, in a persuasive and collaborative manner, and to effectively advocate on behalf of the Espousal Strategies and its clients.

• Strong research and analysis skills. Ability to accurately research and disseminate project and regulatory information to staff, leadership, community members, government officials, clients, and partnership organizations.

• Excellent organizational, time management, and project management skills.

• Ability to multi-task efficiently and switch priorities as needed. Ability to work calmly and effectively under deadlines.

• Ability to create, monitor, and adhere to fiscally responsible project budgets.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Cooperative and collaborative team member. Ability to communicate in a professional and respectful manner with all clients, co-workers, interested parties and partners, community members, public officials, and other business partners.

• Passion for the principals of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the mission of Espousal Strategies.

 

Required Work Experience:

Minimum 10 years’ professional experience in government relations, management, public affairs, or a related field, with specific experience successfully researching, developing, and implementing sound strategies. Prior experience in supervising and successfully leading teams required.

 

Benefits:

Espousal Strategies’ offers competitive health, dental, PTO, and retirement benefits.

At Espousal Strategies we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our clients, and our community. We do not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other protected classification.