Advocacy Director

Georgia Association of REALTORS; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Georgia Association of REALTORS is seeking an Advocacy Director to lead the Governmental Affairs Department and guide legislative and political initiatives affecting private property rights and the real estate industry.

You will oversee advocacy communications, grassroots programs, and coordination with NAR vendors for IE and Issues Mobilization efforts, while supporting state legislators and local boards throughout the year.

Qualifications

• Masters Degree or higher from an accredited college or university; 8+ years equivalent work experience.
• Proven written, oral (public speaking), analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Lobbying experience at the federal or state level.
• Campaign experience related to issue advocacy or candidates for elected office.
• Extensive, demonstrated knowledge of Georgia legislative process (state and local).
• Extensive, demonstrated knowledge of the interconnectedness of the state and federal policy process.
• Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and set own schedule.
• Experience in customer and/or constituent services.
• Proficiency in basic business software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail).

Responsibilities

• Serves as Department Head for the GAR Governmental Affairs Department.
• Directs legislative and advocacy communications efforts utilizing available communications outlets.
• Directs GAR Governmental Affairs Department staff with guidance and support in the implementation of grassroots programs to increase REALTOR® political involvement across the state.
• Reviews legislation introduced at the state level to ascertain its effect on industry and makes recommendations for appropriate actions in accordance with established policy.
• Advocates REALTOR® positions to the General Assembly, Executive Branch, State Agencies, Cities, and Counties
• Responsible for Independent Expenditure (IE) planning with designated GAR committees, and Local Board leadership for city, county, state, and statewide campaigns.
• Coordinates Independent Expenditure (IE) execution with NAR vendors, and local experts to generate the highest impact at the most effective cost.
• Coordinates Issues Mobilization project execution with NAR vendors, and local experts to generate the highest impact at the most effective cost
• Responsible for overseeing the creation and distribution of political communications to membership (legislative updates, bulletins, videos, and other methods of outreach).
• Assists state legislators and state committees with research and information on issues impacting the Association and/or the real estate industry.
• Provides operational leadership for the lobby team throughout the year in pursuit of legislative priorities
• Assists with the necessary research and participates in the drafting of Association position statements relating to legislation affecting Association and/or the real estate industry
• Maintains relationships with a coalition of related industries, and cooperates in advocacy efforts that benefit our industry.
• Maintains an awareness of legislation introduced at the federal level that may affect real property, the practice of real estate brokerage, private ownership of real property, taxation and the free enterprise system.
• Maintains an awareness of legislation introduced at the local level that may affect real property, the practice of real estate brokerage, private ownership of real property, taxation and the free enterprise system.
• Coordinates, and facilitates strategies to the Trustees of the Association's REALTORS® Political Action Committee to support the election of members of the Local, Executive and Legislative branches of state government who are favorable to the real estate industry, the right of private property ownership, and the free enterprise system.
• Coordinates, and facilitates strategies for local boards/associations for candidate support via RPAC and/or Independent Expenditures
• Coordinates, and facilitates strategies for local boards/associations for Issues Mobilization via RIAC and/or REALTOR Party Programs
• Coordinates, and facilitates strategies for local boards/associations to take action on local ordinances
• Provides Legislative Updates, and Issue Advocacy Updates to local boards/associations
• Files state lobbyist reports as required by law.
• Performs other such duties as assigned by the Chief Advocacy Officer and/or the CEO of the Association.

Job description

ADVOCACY DIRECTOR

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Directs the workflow of the Governmental Affairs Department regarding all legislative and political matters at the local, state, and federal levels.

OBJECTIVE:

Direct departmental resources, programs, and staff to effectively educate, organize, and engage the members of the Georgia Association of REALTORS® on public policy initiatives impacting private property rights, free enterprise, and the real estate industry.

REPORTS TO:

Chief Executive Officer

TRAVEL:

Overnight, multi-day travel for state and local events, and meetings 2-3 times each month on average.

Day travel for state and local events, and meetings 6-8 times each month on average.

Conference travel for state, and national meetings 4-5 times each year on average.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as Department Head for the GAR Governmental Affairs Department.

• Directs legislative and advocacy communications efforts utilizing available communications outlets.

• Directs GAR Governmental Affairs Department staff with guidance and support in the implementation of grassroots programs to increase REALTOR® political involvement across the state.

• Reviews legislation introduced at the state level to ascertain its effect on industry and makes recommendations for appropriate actions in accordance with established policy.

• Advocates REALTOR® positions to the General Assembly, Executive Branch, State Agencies, Cities, and Counties

• Responsible for Independent Expenditure (IE) planning with designated GAR committees, and Local Board leadership for city, county, state, and statewide campaigns.

• Coordinates Independent Expenditure (IE) execution with NAR vendors, and local experts to generate the highest impact at the most effective cost.

• Coordinates Issues Mobilization project execution with NAR vendors, and local experts to generate the highest impact at the most effective cost

• Responsible for overseeing the creation and distribution of political communications to membership (legislative updates, bulletins, videos, and other methods of outreach).

• Assists state legislators and state committees with research and information on issues impacting the Association and/or the real estate industry.

• Provides operational leadership for the lobby team throughout the year in pursuit of legislative priorities

• Assists with the necessary research and participates in the drafting of Association position statements relating to legislation affecting Association and/or the real estate industry

• Maintains relationships with a coalition of related industries, and cooperates in advocacy efforts that benefit our industry.

• Maintains an awareness of legislation introduced at the federal level that may affect real property, the practice of real estate brokerage, private ownership of real property, taxation and the free enterprise system.

• Maintains an awareness of legislation introduced at the local level that may affect real property, the practice of real estate brokerage, private ownership of real property, taxation and the free enterprise system.

• Coordinates, and facilitates strategies to the Trustees of the Association's REALTORS® Political Action Committee to support the election of members of the Local, Executive and Legislative branches of state government who are favorable to the real estate industry, the right of private property ownership, and the free enterprise system.

• Coordinates, and facilitates strategies for local boards/associations for candidate support via RPAC and/or Independent Expenditures

• Coordinates, and facilitates strategies for local boards/associations for Issues Mobilization via RIAC and/or REALTOR Party Programs

• Coordinates, and facilitates strategies for local boards/associations to take action on local ordinances

• Provides Legislative Updates, and Issue Advocacy Updates to local boards/associations

• Files state lobbyist reports as required by law.

• Performs other such duties as assigned by the Chief Advocacy Officer and/or the CEO of the Association.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters Degree or higher from an accredited college or university; 8+ years equivalent work experience.

• Proven written, oral (public speaking), analytical, and interpersonal skills.

• Lobbying experience at the federal or state level

• Campaign experience related to issue advocacy or candidates for elected office.

• Extensive, demonstrated knowledge of Georgia legislative process (state and local).

• Extensive, demonstrated knowledge of the interconnectedness of the state and federal policy process

• Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and set own schedule.

• Experience in customer and/or constituent services.

• Proficiency in basic business software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail).