JOB SUMMARY

This position serves primarily as the Chamber’s state lobbyist and manages the activities, meetings, committees, and events directly related to advancing the Chamber’s legislative agenda and advocacy positions at the state level, including grassroots lobbying efforts with Chamber members and allied organizations. This position also manages coalitions, alliances and relationships that help advance state legislative priorities. Additionally, the position manages all federal lobbying activities and acts as legislative liaison to senior ranking military leaders in the Charleston region.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate formulation of the annual state legislative agenda through the Business Advocacy Committee and communicate the Chamber’s positions on issues to elected officials.
• Develop recommended Chamber positions and policy on federal issues where needed.
• Work in Columbia, on behalf of the Chamber during the legislative session to monitor and advance Chamber positions on issues.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, leaders, members, and staff at the state and federal levels of government of the tri-county, local municipalities and counties, the statewide General Assembly, the office of the Governor, and Federal Offices, including military, serving the Charleston region, the SC Department of Transportation and other state agencies.
• Maintain strong cooperative relationships with Metro Chamber partners, the State Chamber of Commerce, and other allied business organizations statewide.
• Update members of the Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and membership on issues as needed with both verbal and written reports. Prepare regular reports during the legislative session to inform the membership of the status and any activity related to Chamber legislative priorities and other matters.
• Maintain and deepen relationship and organizational connection with top commanders from all the region’s military and Homeland Security facilities. Utilize relationships to aggregate input from military commanders to shape federal, state and local advocacy agenda. Serve on SC Military Base Task Force.
• Lead coordination of the Quarterly Commanders luncheons, the annual DC Fly-In and any other Chamber visits to the national or state capitals, and any Chamber events featuring federal or state officials.
• Write installments of The Advocates newsletter in support of the Chamber’s policy positions.
• Manage those portions of the Champion Advocates program relative to federal and state grassroots member lobbying and generally assist in the management of the Champion Advocates program.
• Participate in Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives events, as appropriate.
• Handle other duties as assigned by the Sr. VP, Government Relations.

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