Kellen is a global management and communications company serving more than 125 trade associations, professional societies, and charitable organizations representing over 10,000 companies and 100,000 professionals worldwide. We specialize in management, communications, digital strategy, meetings and events, and consulting across a diverse range of industries.

Founded in 1964 and charter-accredited through the AMC Institute, Kellen has offices in Atlanta, Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, DC.

Kellen's greatest asset is its employees. In order to reinforce the culture underpinning our approach to service delivery, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. Our professionals hail from more than a dozen countries and speak more than two dozen languages. We are invested in finding, hiring, training, and promoting the very best to be #OneKellen.

General Purpose of the Position

Following Kellen Best Practices, the Vice President of Public Affairs oversees the advancement of Kellen clients’ policy objectives in the federal legislative and regulatory arenas through high-level strategic leadership; identification of and engagement on legislative and regulatory threats and opportunities, utilization of expertise to inform the coordination of

political engagement in clients’ advocacy efforts, and forging of relationships with decision makers and other external stakeholders to advance clients’ advocacy agenda.

Essential Functions

Strategy and Leadership

• Conducts strategic planning for clients from a legislative and regulatory perspective and identifies areas of concern or opportunity, and develops, recommends, and implements public policy goals and strategies to further clients’ advocacy agendas.
• Develops budgets and proposals that align with strategy.

Government Relations

• Develops, maintains, and expands strong, trusted working relationships and contacts with Congressional members and staff and other external stakeholders. Forms or joins coalitions and collaborates with representatives to strengthen the voice of clients and their interests/positions.
• Identifies opportunities and effective strategies to influence the regulatory process both for clients and as part of a group of similarly situated stakeholders.
• Tracks, analyzes, and advises boards or committees of relevant legislative and regulatory actions and activity of interest to clients.
• Develops plans to respond to regulatory activities, including working with key business colleagues to develop internal and/or external comment letters, coordinating with other interested stakeholders, and contributing to the development and execution of clients’ strategic and advocacy plans.
• Manages client political action committees (PAC).

Public Affairs

• Strategizes to increase clients’ positions as thought leaders in DC with policy makers, think tanks, and regulatory organizations.
• Effectively communicates clients’ policies, positions, and engagement in legislative and regulatory activity.
• Authors articles, testimony, materials and online content; engages in internal and external presentations an speaking engagements, provides testimony, provides information and analysis, proactively and upon request, to clients’ leadership, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Directs utilization of relevant data and maintain familiarity with organizations that further clients’ public policy agendas.
• Works with Kellen’s strategic communications team to ensure consistency in messaging across all work with individual client.

Conferences

• Regularly attends clients’ events and conferences on behalf of clients to provide legislative and regulatory updates and acts a legislative expert for questions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, journalism, international relations, international policy, social science, or other related field.
• 5-7 years’ relevant experience in a Congressional office, federal agency, or the government relations department of an association.
• Experience working on Capitol Hill highly desired.
• Experience lobbying at the local, state or federal level.
• In-depth understanding of the legislative process, federal government operations, and the political process.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive environmental scans and analyze complex issues and legislation.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, understand, and explain complex policy issues.
• Proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive legislative and regulatory advocacy strategy.
• Exceptional, demonstrated, written and oral communication skills including public speaking and the preparation of issue summaries, regulatory comments, testimony and other written reports of a technical and complex nature.
• Strong existing network of contacts on Capitol Hill and/or existing contacts at federal agencies and with relevant stakeholder groups strongly preferred.
• Ability to relate easily to diverse individuals and groups, form and lead coalitions, and foster consensus.
• Ability to prioritize, manage and complete multiple, complex projects.
• Analytical and forward thinker, results oriented, self-organized and self-starter.
• Professional presence and proven ability to instill confidence and earn credibility with stakeholders.
• Registered Lobbyist designation preferred.

Supervision Exercised

• Supervises Public Affairs Manager and Public Affairs Associate.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Physical Demands

This job operates in a hybrid office environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel Requirements

Travel may be necessary, up to 20% of the time and may be by travel by air, car, rail.

Kellen EEO Statement

Kellen does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline. In addition, it is the policy of Kellen to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances where a particular employee works.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Consistent with Kellen’s mandatory vaccination policy, your commencement of employment is contingent upon you providing proof that you have been fully vaccinated on your first day of employment with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccination. Any medical information we receive will be kept confidential in accordance with applicable law. Requests for a reasonable accommodation for exemption from this policy due to medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs will be subject to review by our People & Culture Department.