Associate Executive Director of Government Relations

The Illinois Association of School Boards is seeking applicants for a full-time executive director for the Governmental Relations office. The position will be reporting to the IASB Executive Director. 

The executive director, governmental relations position will be responsible for providing a wide range of high-level, self-directed administrative and customer service duties for the Office of General Counsel. 

 Functions of the job include ensuring that the Association positions, concerns, and requests are communicated to the Illinois General Assembly, appropriate State regulatory agencies, and the United States Congress. The Associate Executive Director is responsible for supervision of and collaboration with the coalition with other school management organizations that jointly advocate and collaborate with the Association. The Governmental Relations Department is responsible for the operation and staffing of the Association’s Resolutions Committee and Delegate Assembly processes. 

A graduate or undergraduate degree in Political Science, Communications, or related field is required. Experience in association management and/or business management; minimum of five years of supervisory and leadership experience managing staff and/ or supervising a minimum of three to five direct reports; extensive knowledge of the Illinois public education system or willingness to learn; broad understanding of the legislative process in Illinois; general knowledge of federal advocacy; significant previous experience working as a lobbyist, legislative staff person, or other position related to legislative or political involvement, including supervisory duties is required. 

 Required competencies include experience and proven competency in managing people; excellent interpersonal skills; excellent problem-solving skills and organizational skills; high degree of self-motivation and skill with time management; knowledge and experience in budgeting; superior skills in writing and public speaking; policy analysis and technical (legislative and regulatory) writing skills; and the ability to comfortably deliver oral presentations before large audiences. 

 This position requires the employee to be able to lift, move, and safely handle boxes and materials up to 25 pounds; repetitive motion of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; and to be able to see, hear, and speak as necessary to perform the functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the position. 

 Position will be based in Springfield or Lombard.