Director, Advocacy

SUMMARY OF POSITION 

The Advocacy Director supports major portions of ASTA's work to advocate for the travel agency community at all levels of government, within the travel industry, and before the traveling public. This entails both administrative and substantive work supporting ASTA's Advocacy department. 

The Director will support ASTA initiatives to advocate for the agency community at all government levels and advance the travel agency industry's legislative, regulatory, grassroots, and political agenda. This includes day-to-day oversight of fundraising, disbursements, compliance issues related to the Society's political action committee (ASTAPAC), development and execution of ASTA's federal and state lobbying campaigns, and the Association's annual Legislative Day. 

The Director will be responsible for monitoring policy proposals at both the federal and state levels with the potential to affect the travel industry. Doing so may require providing updates to members accordingly, preparing grassroots materials, and carrying out advocacy activities at the state level. 

Other duties as assigned may include industry research, attending congressional hearings, supporting ASTA events, speaking at ASTA chapter events, and generally supporting the goals of the Association. 

Travel: Up to 10 percent.   

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES & PERCENTAGES OF TIME: 

 1. 100% -Supports Advocacy – Lobbying, Grassroots and ASTAPAC 

• Assists in developing and executing the federal and state legislative priorities of the Association; 
• Acts as a registered lobbyist advancing ASTA's top policies on Capitol Hill and educating Congress and the Administration on the travel advisor industry; 
• Serves as a subject matter expert on travel policy;  
• Drafts member communications on legislative and regulatory issues;  
• Assists in the execution of federal and state grassroots advocacy campaigns and events, including ASTA's annual Legislative Day. 
• Maintains up-to-date records of ASTAPAC's fundraising and disbursements; 
• Provides regular and ad hoc ASTAPAC reports to ASTA staff, board, and chapter leadership; 
• Acts as a liaison to the Accounting Department to ensure that ASTAPAC maintains complete and accurate records and that contributions and disbursements are processed in a timely manner; 
• Assists in the drafting and disseminating of ASTAPAC member solicitations, biennial reports, and Chapter Training Manual; 
• Responsible for building and executing ASTAPAC's charitable match program and,
• Prepares periodic federal disclosure filings relating to lobbying activities and political fundraising

REQUIREMENTS 

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, or a related field and three to five years of direct policy experience, particularly in transportation and/or travel. Candidate must have the ability to meet deadlines and complete work thoroughly and professionally, exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously, and computer skills, including Microsoft 365. Direct legislative experience, including research, drafting legislative language, and the ability to quickly grasp legislative text, is a plus.