Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications

Organization:    Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Job Title:       Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications

Classification:   Regular, Full-time, Exempt

Reports To:     President & CEO

***Due to COVID-19 this role is currently working primarily remotely, with some in-office or meeting location work required. Once the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce office fully reopens, this role will have regular onsite responsibilities in the greater Seattle area.***

Application Instructions:

Please submit your application materials through our online portal. Applications received by other means may not be considered. Cover letters are optional but will be considered as part of the application if included. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

About the Chamber:

The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is the largest independent business and employer association in the region. We are a business advocacy organization focused on rebuilding a competitive, equitable, and resilient regional economy. 

Position Overview

The SVP of Public Affairs & Communications leads the department responsible for policy advocacy, government relations, marketing, branding, and communications. They oversee programs, resources, and member services related to these areas, and are expected to collaborate with colleagues in other departments to ensure appropriate visibility into this work across the Chamber. 

This position leads the Chamber’s efforts to steward its reputation, advance its policy and advocacy goals, and communicate effectively with its members, the broader business community, public officials, and the public. Accordingly, the person in this position will be highly visible externally, complementing the CEO as a key public “face” for our messaging and outreach.    

This position is a member of the Chamber’s management team, contributing strategically to the Chamber’s mission, its culture, and overall organizational health.  

Critical Job Functions

Departmental Leadership  

• Provide leadership, strategy, and direction for the Public Affairs & Communications team: 
• Design and implement work programs based on the Chamber’s strategic goals 
• Mentor and develop staff with deep subject matter expertise  
• Recruit and retain team members who colleagues trust to deliver clear, consistent, and effective results 
• Oversee contractors and external agency work on public affairs initiatives, including contract lobbyists. 
• Develop and monitor departmental and project budgets.  
• Partner regularly with other departments on shared initiatives, including:  
• Signature Chamber programs and events, including recruitment of key participants (e.g. elected officials)  
• Events and gatherings focused on policy activities  
• Internal communications strategy 
• Develop and track metrics and success criteria for projects and initiatives.  

Public Affairs 

• Oversee the development and implementation of government relations strategy, public affairs coalition building, and advocacy campaigns. 
• Provide strategic direction on policy communications, including communications with membership on business community priorities, message alignment with key partners and allies, and earned media strategy.  
• Work closely with Chamber members, including the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and Policy Leadership Group to focus the Chamber’s policy agendas and develop the organization’s positions on key public policy issues.  
• Provide thought partnership to members reaching out for assistance on policy issues.  
• Serve as a key liaison to public officials about the Chamber’s priorities and the needs of the business community. 
• Build productive relationships with key business associations, local chambers, and trade associations to inform and advance the Chamber’s government relations and communications objectives. 
• Represent the Chamber on key committees, task forces and community efforts, and stand in for the President & CEO when conflicts prevent their attendance at relevant commitments, appearances, and meetings in the community, including "after hour" events as necessary and as delegated by the CEO.

Communications  

• Oversee the development and implementation of communications strategies that advance the Chamber’s reputation as a business advocacy organization that helps its members thrive in an equitable and inclusive regional economy.   
• Oversee the creation of key messages that connect the activities of the Chamber and the business community to the Chamber’s mission, vision, and values.  
• Serve as an effective spokesperson to members, the media, and the broader community about the Chamber, its programs, its policy positions, and the needs of the business community.  
• Prepare executive messaging for senior leadership, primarily but not limited to the Chamber’s President & CEO. 
• Ensure prompt and effective responses to member communications and provide support for Chamber Board members as they engage on key Chamber efforts.  
• Prepare for and handle crisis communications.  
• Set overall strategy for marketing and brand management across multiple platforms.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of a long-term brand story, including visual and verbal messaging.  
• Support revenue generation efforts through effective marketing and communications.  

The above cited duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to the job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that an incumbent may be expected or asked to perform. 

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• 10 or more years’ of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience with increasing responsibilities in the Public Affairs and Communications fields 
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who positively and productively develops staff to perform at a high level 
• Demonstrated success working across functions in the public affairs and communications field to achieve desired outcomes  
• Has a strong understanding of local, regional, and statewide politics and policy issues, especially as they relate to the business community 
• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive and strategic communications, media relations, and marketing program to advance an organization's mission and goals 
• Experience in media relations; expertise in handling media related to government and public relations efforts, as well as crisis communication planning and response 
• Executive communications experience is a plus  
• Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output 
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with the Chamber's Board of Trustees, external stakeholders and media, and staff 
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs 

Employment Details

The Chamber is committed to the health, safety, and well-being of all our employees, and takes seriously its duty to provide and maintain a provide a safe place to work, including reducing the threat and harm that the COVID-19 pandemic poses to the Chamber’s employees and their families; our members and partners; and the community at large. Consistent with this commitment, all eligible employees are required to receive be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless an exemption and reasonable accommodation is approved. Policy and accommodation information will be provided to all candidates upon request.

The Chamber is committed to internal and market equity. The salary range for this position is $126,970 - $180,000 annually. Salary is determined based on internal and market equity, internal and market data/salary ranges, and the applicant’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We are likely to hire at the beginning to midpoint of the salary range to allow future salary growth based on an employee's performance, professional development, and increases in responsibilities and duties. The Chamber provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including but not restricted to:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
• PTO/Community Service Leave
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous Holiday Schedule and Paid Days Off
• Life Insurance; Optional ADD/LTD/Personal Accident Insurance
• Subsidized ORCA Card
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employer-Matched 401(k) Contribution with up to 6% Match
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Wellspring EAP Membership
• Mindfulness and Wellness Resources
• Corporate Discounts

We recognize the value of the Chamber and our affiliate organizations and programs reflecting the diversity of our community and are intentionally and actively seeking out applications from a variety of backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).

The Chamber is an equal opportunity employer. All employees and potential employees will be recruited, selected, trained, promoted, and, if necessary, disciplined without regard to sex, race, religion, creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political ideology or activity, disability, honorably-discharged veteran or military status. All applicants are carefully screened, and full consideration is given to their training, education, skills, aptitudes, experience, and previous work record. In addition, the Chamber does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information in its employment related policies and practices, including coverage under its health benefits program.