The Assistant Vice President, Federal Legislative Affairs develops, coordinates and implements lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill overseeing a team of Directors of Federal Legislative Affairs. This individual collaborates with the public policy and political affairs leaders to interpret, author, implement, and administer NAA legislative policy and lobbying strategies and political outreach.   

The AVP develops and maintains contacts with Members of Congress, Congressional staffs, industry and related associations for legislative action. They speak with a variety of government, industry, political and consumer groups to disseminate the position and messages of NAA. They assist AVP, Political Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement with grass-roots mobilization and political action activities, include distribution of NAAPAC dollars.  They collaborate in drafting all substantive legislative written and online communications to Capitol Hill, NAA membership and affiliates and other industry groups. This role supervises and directly assists lobbyists in the performance of their daily activities, while reporting regularly to the Senior Vice President (SVP) for Government Affairs.  

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Maintain in-depth knowledge of all legislative issues and developments and communicate this knowledge to membership and SVP.
• Provide strategic and tactical direction and support the daily actions of all lobbyists on leg-islative matters and to ensure adequate Hill office coverage.
• Collaborate with other AVPs and SVP to develop “big picture” strategies inclusive of as-sociation priorities, internal resources and external realities.
• Stay in regular contact with SVP, other AVPs, and other members of the NAA staff to maintain a working knowledge of status and substance of all key legislative issues.
• Collaboratively problem solving with other AVPs on policy issues and political matters.
• Participating and directing “whip count” efforts and lobbying activities related to immediate pending legislation on the floor of the Senate or House or in congressional committees on legislative issues of concern to NAA.
• Support the AVP, Political Affairs and Strategic Engagement with the design and imple-mentation of the annual Advocate grassroots conference.
• Partner with the AVP, Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs in the development of pro-rental housing legislation.
• Manage NAA’s engagement with contract lobbying firms and other consultants support legislative affairs.

COMPETENCIES:

1. Expertise
2. Communication proficiency 
3. Organizational skills 
4. Critical Evaluation 
5. Technical Capacity
6. Cultural Awareness
7. Relationship Management
8. Ethical Practice

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct supervision of three Directors of Federal Legislative Affairs.

TRAVEL:

Ability to travel up to 5%

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to fin-ger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is regularly performed in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor of Arts Degree
• 10+ years of relevant experience in federal legislative affairs; including supervising a team of lobbying professionals and consultants.
• Understanding of and practice in a client-driven or trade association environment.  
• Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentations before groups.
• Proven communication/public speaking skills.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduate or advanced degree in law, Business Administration or Political Science, or an equivalent combination of training and experience of 15+ years.