Assistant Vice President, State Government Relations

Position Summary

The Assistant Vice President, State Government Relations, has primary responsibility for managing legislative and regulatory advocacy in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  Is also responsible for, in coordination with APCIA member relations department, general member relations, and recruitment of new members.  Is a proven leader.

Principal Responsibilities

• Identifies legislative and regulatory issues that affect the business of property and casualty insurance and communicates regularly with APCIA members and other affected APCIA staff regarding legislative and regulatory activity.
• Leads APCIA policy managers, APCIA public affairs and APCIA members to develop strategies and tactics for dealing with state issues.
• Develops working relationships with APCIA members, legislators (and their staff), regulators (and their staff) and other industry lobbyists.
• Drafts and provides testimony and written comments in support of APCIA's position on pending legislation and regulations.
• Manages APCIA's retained lobbyists in each state.
• Comprehends sound fiscal, political and management judgment and instincts and displays such judgment in day-to-day activities/efforts.

 
Additional Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains relationships with the news media and serves as spokesperson for association to external audiences.
• Engages, as appropriate, in direct lobbying.
• Forms or participates in coalitions designed to further APCIA's public policy position(s).
• Identifies key political races and strategically participates as appropriate.
• Interacts with other trade associations and unaffiliated companies, and remains aware of their activities.
•  Welcomes role of leadership—internally, with home office and fellow regional team members (support, public affairs); and externally with member companies, coalition partners and elected officials.
• Focuses on key issues and communications.
• Prepares annual operating budgets, as well as budgets for corporate and individual political contributions and manages such budgets.
• Provides prompt response/service, complete answers/information and accurate information to membership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

(a) - Educational Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Business Administration or related field.

(b) – Experience:

• Minimum 3 years experience in state legislative, regulatory and/or government relations’ matters, including direct lobbying; insurance knowledge desired.
• Strong familiarity with government processes, specifically in the legislative branch and in the executive branch or an agency responsible for insurance regulation.
• Excellent written/oral communication skills - ability to communicate clearly on legislative, regulatory and substantive issues to multifaceted audiences.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Self-starter with strong initiative and follow-through.
• Command of insurance issues.
• Travel as required.