Senior Government Affairs Officer, Financial Services

Serving as a senior government affairs professional acknowledged as the number two in the department, the Senior Government Affairs Officer will have an understanding of the substance of the financial regulatory, tax, pension and international policy issues associated with the financial services industry and generally with the investment company industry. Working in close partnership with the Chief Government Affairs Office, incumbent will develop and implement an aggressive strategic plan for successfully achieving specific legislative results that are favorable to ICI’s member companies and their shareholders.

In formulating and implementing a successful Government Affairs program for the Institute, the incumbent collaborates extensively and works as part of a senior team with other Institute staff, particularly in the Law, Research and Public Communications areas.

Incumbent possesses significant political acumen and has established bi-partisan contacts (with emphasis on the incumbent’s primary political affiliation), with members of Congress and Congressional staff, agency government affairs offices, as well as in the Administration.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Working together with Chief Government Affairs Office and under the general direction of the Institute’s President and CEO, responsibilities include:

• Represents ICI and its member companies before Congress and the Administration.
• Helps develop ICI policy positions, subject to the guidance of ICI’s Board of Governors and the Executive Committee of the Board.
• Establishes and maintains a sophisticated, bi-partisan political network within the Administration, Capitol Hill, agencies, and with other related organizations, with emphasis on those with the same political affiliation of the incumbent. Incumbent should have access to members of Congress and staff.
• Helps develop and implement ICI’s legislative strategy.
• Evaluates pending legislation that may have impact on ICI’s member companies and their shareholders.
• With the Chief Government Affairs Officer, helps to manage a seasoned team of ICI government affairs professionals with a proven track record, in-depth industry knowledge and outstanding political acumen.
• Collaborates with the Chief Government Affairs Office to manage the overall Government Affairs staff; evaluate and report on job performances; encourages personal growth and the development of staff by providing counsel, training and guidance; seeks to assure compliance with laws and regulations applicable to ICI’s lobbying and political activities.
• Helps manage the use of a highly capable and knowledgeable team of outside lobbyists, to best advance the Institute’s legislative agenda and strategy. Takes lead in day-to-day oversight of the outside lobbyists from the incumbent’s political party.
• Takes the lead consultative role in managing ICI PAC and political program planning for ICI support of the officeholders in the incumbent’s political party.
• Advises senior management on matters relating to legislation, and, as required, on public policy and advocacy issues of interest and concern to ICI’s member companies and their shareholders.
• Attends industry, governmental, and Institute meetings and provides to member executives information, advice and perspective concerning federal government affairs.
• On an ongoing basis, in the absence of the Chief Government Affairs Office, represents the Government Affairs Department on the President and CEO’s Policy Committee and the Chief Operating Officer’s Management Committee.
• Collaborates on the annual budget for the Government Affairs Group, and future financial projections, as required. Budgets prudently for all revenues and expenses of the Group.
• Develops and maintains close and highly effective working relationships with staff in other ICI departments, through teamwork and regular collaboration.
• Plays leading role with Chief Government Affairs Officer in preparing materials for IC Board Meetings and Executive Committee meetings.
• Provides policy updates to ICI member committees that visit the Institute.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• A thorough understanding of U.S. Congressional and Cabinet policy-making processes, including an understanding of the roles and decision points in the Executive agencies, The White House, the Senate and the House, as well as the role of think tanks, associations and related organizations.
• A strong knowledge of ethics rules governing lobbying and a clear reputation for ethical conduct.
• Experience managing professionals and staff members effectively, as well as appropriately advising/influencing senior-level corporate executives.
• The ability to persuasively communicate complex concepts and programs at the highest levels of government and business.
• Strong personal relationships with members and staff on relevant House and Senate Committees and within the leadership of the House and Senate; strong committee contact is essential.
• Ability to harmonize competing interests of industry segments into workable government affairs strategies.
• Strategic thinking skills -- able to develop a vision of where the ICI should go, can put a large number of issues in priority order, and can anticipate emerging issues.
• Ability to work comfortably and effectively with top-level government officials on either side of the political spectrum and with ICI members and Institute staff.
• Strong communications skills, both written and oral.
• Strong people skills and a reputation for being a team player. A keen sense of protocol.
• Acute political sensitivity.
• A proven record of advancing important issues through the legislative processes.

Education & Experience

• An undergraduate degree is required. An advanced degree such as a J.D., M.B.A. or M.P.A. would be highly desirable.
• Candidates should have a minimum of 15 years experience in business as a Washington Representative, Congressional staffer, or a government affairs executive.
• Strong management experience is required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.