Job Description
Vice President, Government Affairs, DC-Residential
Apartment and Office Building Association (AOBA) of Metropolitan Washington
Apartment and Office Building Association (AOBA) of Metropolitan Washington
AOBA is the leading membership organization representing commercial and multifamily real estate interests in the Washington metropolitan area. AOBA’s membership comprises the owners and managers of more than 185 million square feet of commercial office space and over 400,000 apartment units throughout Washington, D.C., Suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia, as well as those ancillary businesses that serve the industry. AOBA serves its members through effective leadership, advocacy, information exchange, and professional development. AOBA is the locally federated affiliate organization of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International and the National Apartment Association (NAA).
Position Summary
Reporting to AOBA’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, this position serves as one of AOBA’s two primary liaisons to the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of the government of the District of Columbia. This position is responsible for executing a comprehensive government affairs program as directed by the AOBA Board of Directors and DC Government Affairs Committee to ensure effective advocacy and representation of the organization;s multifamily member interests. In addition to advocacy functions, this position is responsible for PAC and Committee management, member relations, and programming functions.
Duties/Areas of Focus
Advocacy, Lobbying, and General Government Relations Duties
· Develop and implement a comprehensive public policy strategy for the District of Columbia on behalf of the multifamily property management industry, including lobbying and general government relations activities, strategic communications, and grassroots mobilization related to landlord/tenant relations, housing policy, court procedures, building codes, taxation, land use, public safety, and zoning, and other issues affecting the multifamily residential rental real estate and building management on behalf of AOBA.
· Coordinate initiatives with AOBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, DC-Commercial, and work collaboratively on broader business issues affecting commercial and multifamily members in the District of Columbia.
· Represent AOBA’s member companies and advocate on their behalf before the Mayor, the DC Council, and various regulatory bodies, including the executive agencies, commissions and stakeholder working groups.
· Keep abreast of ongoing and pending policy issues impacting AOBA members and develop and implement advocacy strategies to protect the industry’s interests proactively and responsively. These strategies include communicating with elected officials and educating policymakers about industry positions, building coalitions, providing testimony, and facilitating member engagement.
· Maintain good working relationships with elected officials and staff within the District of Columbia.
· Maintain strong working relationships and build coalitions with allied business and real property groups to advance AOBA’s advocacy agenda and strengthen legislative positions.
PAC and Committee Management Duties
· Coordinate with AOBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, DC-Commercial to oversee all activities of AOBA’s DC Metropolitan Political Action Committee (PAC), including fundraising and identification/selection of political candidates for endorsement and financial support.
· Manage the PAC and DC Government Affairs Committee by scheduling meetings, agenda and material preparation, information distribution, scheduling of speakers/guests, keeping meeting notes, and executing action items.
· Attend political events and fundraisers on behalf of the PAC.
Member Relations and Communications Duties
· Prepare regular reports/status updates on policy matters impacting multifamily residential members for dissemination via AOBA Connect.
· Contribute to the monthly At Issue newsletter and other publications by researching and drafting articles for inclusion and posting documents on AOBA Connect and AOBA’s Government Affairs website.
· Arrange industry education and engagement events as added member benefits and engagement tools.
Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
· Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree in political science or other related field preferred)
· 10 years’ experience in legislative research and/or analysis, government affairs preferred
· Working familiarity and experience in navigating and working with DC government’s legislative, executive and judicial branches
· Professional experience working in an office environment
· Strong organizational, written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
· Ability to interact effectively with members, politicians and coworkers
· Strong planning and organizational skills and an ability to handle multiple tasks
· Strong research and analytic skills
· Ability to work with and triage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines
· Working fluency with Microsoft office software, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Salary Range: $150,000-$165,000