Vice President, Government Relations

VP, Government Relations

at LA2028 

Los Angeles, California, United States

LA 2028 is a non-profit public benefit corporation. The specific purpose of the organization is to improve and enhance the quality of life of the residents of the City of Los Angeles, California, and the surrounding metropolitan area through the hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Its core activities include: (1) planning, organization, financing, promotion, sponsorship, hosting and staging the Games, (2) raising funds to be used to plan, organize, finance, promote, sponsor, host or stage the Games, and (3) creating and implementing sustainability and legacy programs for the Games.

Job Description:

Monitors new municipal, state and federal laws, regulations and court decisions affecting LA 2028’s interests

Reviews proposed new bills and draft regulations, keep LA 2028’s leadership apprised of new legal developments, and coordinate with the IOC, USOPC, and/or the City of Los Angeles to take action on policy changes proposed by legislatures, government agencies and courts that would impact either the delivery of the 2028 Games and/or the Corporation’s social-impact programs

Devises outreach strategies for individual issue areas and specific research projects, as well as oversees distribution of materials to government audiences on key issues, and working with other government relations staff on briefings and other events

Ensures that the Corporation’s leaders have the access and proper tools to help lawmakers and regulators develop and advance policies in support of delivering the 2028 Games and/or the Corporation’s social-impact programs

Manages the Corporation’s government relations programs at the local, state, and federal levels to bring LA 2028’s interests and perspectives to the City of Los Angeles and the other venue cities, Sacramento, and Washington D.C., as well as coordinates LA 2028’s responses to a wide variety of legislative and government agency activities.

Manages the Corporation’s government-relations department

Manages the Corporation’s outside government-relations advisors in Washington D.C. and Sacramento

While experience in these areas is nice to have, we also look for candidates with intellectual curiosity and a demonstrated ability to learn quickly to round out areas where a candidate may not have depth of experience. This job description is a general summary of responsibilities and requirements and is not intended to be all-inclusive of the responsibilities and requirements of this position.

Job Responsibilities:

Advocates on behalf of the Corporation directly with members of local, state, and federal government legislative bodies and agencies

Manages outside subject matter experts with respect to those operational areas in which the federal government will be a key delivery partner (primarily, security and transportation)

Remains closely coordinated with the government relations team at the USOPC

Prepares and/or reviews written testimony for presentation at hearings held by legislative committees and local, state, and federal government agencies

Serves as a point-of-contact for key City of Los Angeles officials and staff

Serves as a key point-of-contact for, and participates in planning and policy meetings with, the U.S. Congress Olympic and Paralympic Caucus as well as the California Assembly’s Select Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games along with other key federal and state legislative and agency staff

Closely coordinate with the Corporation’s social-impact and community relations teams and recommend actions to help advance relevant issue areas

Provide analysis and guidance on strategic projects.

Minimum Requirements:

Undergraduate degree required

8+ years’ experience in issue management in LA City government, the state of California, and/or on Capitol Hill or equivalent association/nonprofit, government or corporate experience

Comprehensive understanding of local, state, and federal rules, procedures and operations that control government advocacy and relationships

Strong interpersonal skills including ability to communicate effectively with a variety of government contacts

Excellent judgment, knowing when to escalate issues.

Excellent analytical skills; capable of identifying and prioritizing issues and providing alternative solutions.

Excellent project and time management skills and ability to manage and prioritize changing workloads to meet deadlines.

Positive, team-oriented, and collaborative attitude.

High level of personal integrity and professional ethics; ability to maintain confidentiality.

Sound judgment and decision making skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in sports or internationally is a plus (but not required!).

Local candidates preferred.

Work Environment:

The physical demands described in this section are representative of those demands that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations, as required by ADA, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job requires approximately 90% sitting/standing, and 10% walking/traveling.

Significant amount of time spent at a PC using keyboard and monitor in an office environment with moveable/standing desks (i.e., can sit or stand at desk).

After orientation period, requests for flexible work schedule will be considered.

Application Requirements

An application must be accompanied by the following:

A cover letter which indicates the position of interest and addresses the following:

The highlights of your education and experience which specifically prepare you for this position;

How you would contribute to the vision

Demonstrated leadership and/or negotiating skills

Your interest in working in a diverse environment which reflects our values and behaviors

A resume to include three professional references with name, address, and phone number

Official transcripts will be required if selected for an interview

Interviews will be conducted by a hiring committee

Position will remain open until filled

LA 2028 is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We aim to recruit the right people for the jobs we have to offer, and to assess applications on the basis of relevant skills, education, and experience.