Government Relations Director

Required Skills/Abilities

• Strong effective communication skills (written and verbal) interpersonal savvy and collaboration skills for interacting with internal and external groups and individuals at all levels.

• Ability to represent the department on various policy issues and act as a liaison to other agencies and the public.

• Excellent strategic messaging and written and verbal communications skills and ability to tailor writing to the needs of the audience.

• Versatile strategic and innovative problem solver with the ability to envision future possibilities with a proven track record of delivering successful initiatives on time on budget and in alignment with strategic goals.

• Ability to write journalistically.

• Strong ability to shape narratives enhancing the agencys image to all critical audiences from idea to execution and implementation.

• Excellent organizational and managerial abilities.

• Strong attention to detail time management and strategic skills.

• Ability to foster public understanding of the agencys mission vision and divisions.

• Ability to assess interpret summarize and report public opinion.

• Ability to effectively facilitate working groups and committees.

• Constructively resolves disagreements by negotiating mutual acceptable solutions.

• Accepts and provides constructive feedback in working relationship.

Supervision

This position supervises 2 FTE.

Qualifications Education and Experience

• Prior government affairs experience is required.

• Exceptional presentation interpersonal and communication skills.

• A bachelors degree in a related field is required.

• Knowledge of the securities and insurance industries is a plus.

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible job-related experience in lobbying government relations public administration public relations journalism and/or communications.

• The knowledge skills and abilities of this position are normally attained through a combination of education and experience in a communication or government affairs discipline.

• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

The CSI is seeking a dynamic experienced individual to serve as its Government Affairs Director. The work requires a forward-looking approach to anticipate emerging issues and develop proactive consistent messaging that combines policy and outreach communications.

Job Summary:

The Government Affairs Director position has three main responsibilities:

1. to assist the Commissioner and agency executive leadership in strategically combining the organizations public policy and communication efforts;

2. to proactively message the agencys mission to internal and external stakeholders; and

3. to supervise the outreach and education team to provide consistency in messaging to align with the agencys priorities and goals through effective accurate informative community outreach and government relations.

This position also supervises the agencys Outreach Coordinator/Policy Analyst and the External Affairs Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate in this position must be a dynamic experienced individual and will:

• Serve as CSIs primary liaison to the Montana Legislature.

• Provide expert testimony at hearings and build strong working relationships with lawmakers the Governors office and state agency officials.

• Monitor and engage in federal legislative and regulatory issues working closely with Montanas congressional delegation and federal agencies.

• Collaborate with CSI leadership to establish policy priorities and strategies.

• Coordinate meetings with elected officials staff and key stakeholders to communicate organizational priorities.

• Brief leadership on key policy developments risks and opportunities.

• Periodically travel within Montana and out of state to attend regional and national organization meetings.

• Develop and maintain relationships with the governors office state agencies government officials legislative bodies and regulatory agencies to protect and advance the agencys policy goals and interests.

• Track legislation and public policies that may impact the organization. Provide updates summaries and strategic analysis to internal stakeholders.

• Coordinate legislative implementation efforts.

• Engage and educate agency staff to ensure consistency of policy initiatives.

• Provide policy insight and strategic guidance to the Commissioner and agency leadership regarding public policy and agency initiatives.

• Coordinate the agencys response related to legislative and policy public inquiries and stakeholder outreach.

• Draft policy briefs position statements and strategic outreach materials.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.