Vice President, Government Affairs

TITLE: Vice President, Government Affairs

LOCATION: Alexandria, Virginia

DATE CREATED: February 2024

FLSA: Exempt

DIVISION: Office of Legal Counsel

Applicants MUST apply directly on our website. Applications who do not apply using the following link will not be considered.

https://us232.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/ncmec/Posting/View/2000

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT:

Minimal, less than 10%

HOURS AND SCHEDULE:

Generally, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (minimum 37.5 hours within 5 days per week). Ability to work flexible hours to be responsive to requests from Congressional offices is required. Ability to work flexibly in office and remotely as needed and commitment to being on the Hill for meetings as needed is required.

REPORTS TO:

Chief Legal Officer

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This position will work closely with the President and CEO and Chief Legal Officer to provide senior leadership support, strategy and manage execution of NCMEC’s strategic engagement of the US Congress, Executive Branch, and State governments affecting the organization, its key clearinghouse programs and services; and federal support.

The Vice President, Government Affairs will manage the Director, Government Affairs on responding to Congressional and oversight related requests for NCMEC data and program information, developing and nurturing relationships with new and existing staff, and developing collateral to promote the organization’s programs and services delivered nationally and, on a state-by-state basis, annual data and new initiatives, and successful resolutions relating to specific missing and exploited child cases. The Vice President, Government Affairs will support NCMEC’s efforts on task force/coalition participation and development of formal written collateral (e.g., written testimony, regulatory comments, advocacy statements).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate with NCMEC senior leadership and operational divisions and have direct responsibility to execute NCMEC’s strategic outreach plan for Congress and other key government stakeholders.
• Oversee day-to-day engagement with Congress.
• Supervise the Director, Government Affairs as a direct report.
• Work with the Director, Government Affairs to: (1) manage responses to Congressional inquiries relating to NCMEC programs and data and coordinate with operational division staff to obtain necessary information and provide subject matter expertise in response to Hill inquiries; (2) build and maintain new and existing relationships with staff in key Congressional offices and committees; and (3) support NCMEC’s strategic outreach activities.
• Develop and implement government affairs strategies and initiatives that align with NCMEC’s goals and objectives.
• Schedule Member/Chief of Staff level meetings to facilitate Congressional outreach for NCMEC’s President and CEO.
• Prepare prep and collateral materials and conduct all follow-up after Member/Chief of Staff meetings on the Hill.
• Participate actively in Public Policy committee meetings, discussions and updates.
• Ensure availability to, and strong coordination, communication, and collaboration with the President and CEO on developing future strategic Congressional outreach plans.
• Actively track and provide senior staff level updates relating to Congressional, federal agency, and state level funding relating to child protection programs and services.
• Coordinate on NCMEC participation in relevant task forces, coalitions, and conferences and drafting written testimony, regulatory comments, position pieces/advocacy statements, as needed.
• Manage and maintain documentation workflows, deliverables, and metrics relating to all Hill contacts, materials, and strategy execution.
• Promote a professional image and communicate with co-workers, senior leaders, and external partners and entities in a courteous and professional manner, including responding promptly to telephone calls, emails, and other correspondence.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and partners to achieve government affairs’ objectives.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 8 years Hill experience in progressively senior roles, with combined 10-15 years of Hill and/or advocacy experience at third party lobbying firm, think tank, or nonprofit organization.
• Extensive working knowledge of Congressional protocols and processes.
• Substantive experience staffing Appropriations Committee or engaging with policymakers on appropriations issues required.
• Deep understanding of the Federal budgeting, authorization, and appropriations process.
• Proven experience leading advocacy efforts of an organization and/or collaborating with policy advocates working individually or in a coalition effort.
• Proven experience developing and maintaining bipartisan and strategic relationships with legislative, executive branch, and/or federal agency officials.
• Former Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, or Committee experience preferred.
• Previous management/supervisory experience required.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations in some capacity preferred.
• Demonstrated experience balancing a wide range of short and long-term projects and meeting substantive and complex productivity goals under shifting deadlines.
• Uncompromising ethics and integrity.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Willingness and commitment to gaining, and continuing to expand, substantive understanding and knowledge of NCMEC’s mission and history, programs and services, role as the national clearinghouse on missing and exploited children’s issues, and the legislative/policy issues NCMEC is regularly involved in.
• Ability to register as lobbyist for NCMEC.
• Ability to perform as a high-level strategic thinker and produce sophisticated, succinct, and decisive written work product for a range of audiences.
• Ability to digest significant amounts of new information quickly to identify what is important to NCMEC and our stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze complex issues, develop bipartisan and effective public policy strategies and articulate positions persuasively.
• Effective communicator who can translate complex concepts and programs into concise and credible messages at the highest levels of government and business.
• Ability to adhere to deadlines and to balance multiple pending projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proven bipartisan track record of delivering high-volume and high-quality work.
• Diligence and past success in pursuing positive outcomes in difficult situations.
• Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to work as part of a team or in an individual capacity.
• Ability to inspire trust and confidence relating to discussions of sensitive matters.
• Excellent public relations and interpersonal skills and abilities.
• Excellent judgment in setting priorities and interacting with internal and external contacts.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively perform legal and Internet research and proficiency with basic word processing and database software tools.