Brief Role Description

This position is Career Level 20P+ located in Washington DC, with a Role Classification of Hybrid.

Role Summary

Lead and direct a comprehensive state and local government affairs program for Volkswagen Group of America. Execute and coordinate grassroots campaigns and fly-ins. Advise, implement, participate in coalitions; act as liaison/company representative to various state and local political groups/associations. Participate in setting strategy/policy for VWGoA. Create high-level presentations for executive consumption.

Role Responsibilities

Main responsibility – 70% 

• Identify regulatory threats and opportunities at the state and local levels of government and manage the VWGoA response through coordination with internal departments (e.g., Legal, EEO, VSO) and external partners.
• Manage, develop, and oversee proactive strategies for state and local government affairs and public policy issues that impact VWGoA in the U.S.
• Develop relationships with state legislators to promote company interests and mitigate risk by traveling to state capitals to represent company interests
• Manage and oversee advocacy activities and advocacy efforts with legislative and regulatory organizations, agencies, as well as their staff. Develop, foster, and strengthen relationships with key members of such legislative and regulatory bodies.
• Establish and maintain high-level contacts with a wide variety of industry and non-industry stakeholders, including key industry trade associations.
• Proactively create, develop, and execute strategies to protect and enhance the company’s reputation among policymakers and policy influencers.
• Provide direction to major departments and related affiliates on government affairs topics; including steering strategic vision and implementing policies and programs to support VWGoA’s business objectives and achieve VWGoA’s public policy objectives.
• Monitor company-wide progress, including identification of problem areas or obstacles, and provide assistance to solve them. Identify risks in situations and provide suggestions and feedback.
• Collaborate and work cross-functionally across the organization and across the Volkswagen Group.
• Remain highly competent, extremely discreet in their judgment while maintaining high levels of confidentiality.
• Represent the organization's interests at external events, conferences, and meetings.

Additional responsibilities – 30%

• Collaborate on and potentially lead policy newsletter development and dissemination.
• Collaborate on and potentially lead compliance & risk reporting / processes, as well as other documentation as required.
• Create high-level presentations on a variety of industry topics to be presented to top management.
• Produce collateral material to showcase facts and figures about Volkswagen Group of America to key stakeholders.

Qualifications

Years of Experience:

• 7-10 years of experience

Required Education:

• Bachelor of Arts

Desired Education:

• Masters/JD

Skills:

• Strong understanding of the legislative process
• Strong understanding of the regulatory process
• Ability to multi-task and lead projects
• Strong computer and writing skills

Required Skills:

• Strong relationships with state legislators nationwide.
• Ability to create grassroots legislative campaigns
• Proven ability to foster productive dialogue with governments, non-governmental organizations, and other advocacy groups.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate the legislative and regulatory environments of individual state governments
• High level of experience handling political and regulatory considerations, especially around automotive and infrastructure topics
• High degree of political expertise with corresponding aptitude for proactive analysis and identification of political and regulatory challenges as a basis for optimizing corporate strategy
• Diplomatic and communication skills for both internal and external articulation of business interests.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Self-starter with strong initiative and high sense of personal responsibility.
• Utmost personal integrity and professionalism paired with an excellent reputation among peers.

Desired Skills:

• Ability to draft legislative language
• Ability to draft regulatory language
• Ability to create/activate databases

Work Flexibility:

• Occasional travel as required
• After hours dinners and events