Job Description
Director
H&R Block
Washington, DC
375621BR
Director Federal Government Relations (Democrats)
1401 Eye St NW
Washington
District Of Columbia
What you'll do...
H&R Block, Inc. is a leading consumer tax services provider. More than 680 million tax returns have been prepared worldwide by and through H&R Block since 1955. Tax return preparation services are provided by professional tax preparers in approximately 10,000 company-owned and franchise retail tax offices worldwide, through H&R Block tax software products, and virtually combining the two. H&R Block also provides small-business services and affordable banking products and services.
What you'll do...
Develop and drive implementation of corporate Federal public policy by serving as the Company liaison to Democratic members of Congress—and, if elected, the Biden/Harris Administration.
Elements include:
Work with the Company’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to determine point-of-view on public policy.
Lead and direct large, complex government relations projects and programs across the Company.
Represent H&R Block with Democratic Members of Congress and other governmental agencies, including maintaining existing relationships and forming strategically important new ones.
Work with the Director of Public Policy to represent H&R Block with Democratic third parties.
Represent BlockPAC at Democratic fundraisers and on PAC trips.
Day-to-day management of Democratic external consultants.
Help analyze proposed legislative actions and determine the potential risk/opportunity impact on the organization.
Key focus areas will be tax policy, tax administration, financial services, small-business, consumer privacy, cybersecurity, and labor relations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic planning and implementation – Working with the GR team to develop strategic plan to support the company long- and short-term goals. Implement, monitor and adapt the plan as needed including clear goals and other metrics.
Policy /Legislative/Regulatory analysis – Stay abreast of current trends and information to anticipate opportunities and risks that emerge. Evaluate pending legislation, policy and regulations; determine impact to Company and the tax preparation industry and help develop the organization’s response. Oversee external lobbying resources and drive strategy, and help with messaging, external outreach and the development of relevant communications tools. Brief company executives on legislative matters and provide guidance/recommendations.
Federal Relations - Foster and build positive relationships with strategically important Democratic government officials, opinion leaders, third-party agencies and other external stakeholders; influence public policy, monitor government initiatives and advocate for specific public policies to advance the company’s objectives. Represent the company at government forums (official and political) and industry group meetings. Represent employees’ political action committee (PAC) at campaign fundraising events. Contribute to/direct preparation of policy briefings, testimony for pending legislative actions, and thought leadership documents. Ensure alignment and coordination with State Government strategy and tactics.
Management – Manage outside consultants and other resources that support the legislative and regulatory agenda.
What you'll bring to the team...
Degrees in Political Science, Public Policy/Administration, Law, Business Administration, Communications or other related field
Minimum 6-10+ years of progressive experience with federal legislation, grassroots advocacy, lobbying, or campaign organizing experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
People and issue management experience with demonstrated skills with risk assessment, setting priorities and negotiating among competing priorities.
Demonstrated leadership/management, strategic planning, negotiation, and influence management skills.
Successful multi-tasker experienced working with tight deadlines and competing demands.
Willingness and ability to travel and to maintain a flexible work schedule.
Experience developing and managing a multi-million dollar budget.
Ability to translate business strategy into product/program strategy.
Proven business liaison capabilities including: effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; exceptional listening skills; ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization from senior executives to staff level; strong presentation skills necessary to communicate and influence a wide range of audiences.
About H&R Block...
We’re here to live our purpose—to provide help and inspire confidence in our clients and communities everywhere. We take our work personally, because we know what it represents: Families and homes. Livelihoods and lives.
We’ve been true to that purpose since brothers Henry and Richard Bloch founded our company in 1955. Since then, we’ve grown to approximately 12,000 tax offices throughout the United States and around the world. When you join our team, you’ll add to the momentum of a forward-thinking company—one that defined an industry and is now leading its transformation.