Director of Public Policy

Department: Government Relations and Public Affairs

Reports To: VP, Government Relations and Public Affairs

Location: Washington, DC

Position Status: Full-time            

Classification: Exempt              

Travel Requirements: As needed, 2-4 times annually

Overall Description of the Position:

This is a NEW position at The ESOP Association.  The Director of Public Policy is an employee of The ESOP Association (TEA) housed within TEA’s Government Relations and Public Affairs division and will use her/his knowledge and skills in political and non-profit development to formulate and implement best-in-class Government Affairs programs.  The result will be greater TEA member engagement, public awareness of employee ownership, and successful political engagement in the advancement of ESOPs and the employee-owned model of business.

Through experience, creativity, strong organization, relationship building, tenacity, and knowledge of best practices the Director will also collaborate with TEA’s volunteer leaders to organize a volunteer network of trained grasstops and grassroots member-activists that can be engaged to defend or produce benefit for the employee ownership community.

About The ESOP Association (TEA)

The ESOP Association is the only comprehensive national trade association representing all ESOP companies and the professionals who provide services to them.  Dedicated to advocacy, education, and the growth of employee ownership, The ESOP Association currently has 19 state and regional Chapters and attracts more than 13,500 people annually to 160+ chapter and four national meetings — including the annual Employee Owned Conference in Ls Vegas, the largest employee ownership event in the world, and the National Conference and Advocacy Day, held in Washington, DC.  The Employee Ownership Foundation is the affiliated 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to growing employee ownership nationwide.

Responsibilities:

The Director is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Employee Owner Action Network (EOAN), the Association’s grassroots lobbying program, and serves as a liaison to TEA’s Chapter advocacy officers.  He/she commits to strengthening each program’s impact using innovative forms of leadership and motivation of volunteer leaders and rank-and-file members alike, and is responsible for successful management, growth, and oversight of an action-centered grassroots and grasstops network of activists including participant recruitment, training, data entry and other assigned tasks.  The Director of Public Policy will collaborate across departments, maintain database and participation histories, coordinate with member companies to facilitate development, and action center campaigns, and ensure logistics are effectively planned and executed for events.  As the needs of TEA membership, volunteers, and stakeholders are promoted, the Director will have both opportunity and an expectation to provide valuable input on processes, procedures, and future events.

The Director will play a key role in supporting TEA’s annual National Conference, held annually in Washington, DC, which attracts hundreds of member-activists who participate our Advocacy Academy training and ESOP Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill.   This annual conference and fly-in requires significant logistics and coordination including working with outside vendors, government relations contractors, elected officials, and others to host conference speakers, Members of Congress, and provide valuable resources, education, and training.    

Working with the President & CEO, the Vice President for Government Relations Public Affairs, and TEA’s fundraising staff, the Director will support the development and ongoing operations of ESOP PAC and TEA’s Corporate Council.  This will include components of The ESOP Association’s advocacy efforts, PAC strategy, donor appreciation, and mobilizing grassroot activities, as well as hosting fundraising events at TEA’s headquarters and planning logistics around those events.

TEA’s National Conference, Including Advocacy Academy and ESOP Advocacy Day Responsibilities:

• Help organize programming and logistics for Advocacy Academy.
• Help organize and coordinate resources to support ESOP Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill  
• Plan EOAN and congressional liaison presence at TEA National Conference and provide Chapter Executive support and guidance for Chapter level planning and activities.
• Primary point of contact and logistical support for the annual Congressional reception held at the end of Advocacy Day.

ESOP Ambassadors Program and Responsibilities:

• Directly oversee a congressional liaisons program (ESOP Ambassadors) including membership, retention, education, and activation.
• Manage a systematized communications plan for a congressional liaison program.
• Work alongside Government Relations team to coordinate meetings for liaisons with their Members of Congress.

Employee Ownership Action Network (EOAN) Program and Responsibilities:

• Act as EOAN’s primary point of contact for all related inquiries.
• Work with state partners, along with TEA’s Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, to identify advocacy opportunities for EOAN members.
• Draft, send, and track EOAN communications to provide consistent education to TEA members about pertinent issues.
• Coordinate with EOAN volunteer leaders to accomplish yearly goals.
• Oversee the administration of the EOAN database including data entry, data cleanup, membership and activation reports and action alerts.

Qualifications and Desired Skills:

• Exceptional understanding of Congress, legislative process, and political dynamics. 
• Excellent writing and editing skills that include attention to detail, professionalism, and the ability to simplify complex ideas. 
• Desire to be part of a small proactive team that highly values collaboration.

Attributes of the Director of Public Policy

• Project manager. You can juggle multiple tasks, allocate & optimize resources, & manage timelines. You enjoy creating & implementing processes & procedures that uphold rigorous standards. You manage a task from start to finish.
• Collaborative. You work well with colleagues & members, understanding their concerns & realistically managing their expectations – you build trust & rapport across all levels of the organization. You give respect; you earn yours. You are grounded in our organizational values of sharing information & working cooperatively.
• Ownership. You succeed in a team environment, work well independently, & carry your weight, learning from others & contributing in equal measure.
• Exceptional communicator. You are known for your poise, tact, & diplomacy. You are comfortable in a professional but fun work environment & can confidently engage at all levels & across multiple stakeholder groups. You collaborate on projects & communicate results, & you are willing to listen & learn from others.
• Cool under pressure. You do your best work when the pressure is highest. You grow more controlled & confident in your abilities to solve problems the more problems arise.
• Service drive. You set the standard for meeting & exceeding expectations. You are responsive & committed. You are clear, tactful, & diplomatic about what’s realistic & what’s possible.
• Strong initiative & judgment. You have good judgment & a thoughtful approach. You are sensitive to the challenges, goals, & varying needs of all stakeholders.

TEA is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit & business need. We are currently a hybrid work environment and have returned to the brand-new International Employee Ownership Center offices of The ESOP Association, located on Capitol Hill.  TEA offers a competitive salary & benefits package. Interested individuals should forward a cover letter, relevant work samples & resume to job@esopassociation.org. TEA is currently hiring in multiple areas, so please include a reference to the position in the subject line.

Submit your cover letter, resume, and/or any questions to The ESOP Association by emailing job@esopassociation.org and include the following information:

• Subject line of your email written as: Director of Public Policy Position
• First and Last Name
• Contact information
• Resume and Cover Letter should be included as an attachment