Government Affairs Liaison

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Growth opportunities

Infants at work program

Free parking

Job summary

State of South Carolina Department of Insurance in Columbia seeks a Legislative Liaison to serve as the primary contact with the General Assembly and other government entities. The role monitors policy issues, drafts legislation and regulations, and supports internal and external communications.

Responsibilities include testimony before hearings, coordinating with department staff, and maintaining professional relationships with lawmakers and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and four or more years of legislative, insurance, or related experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to understand legislative and governmental systems.
• Ability to collaborate, negotiate, and mediate divergent viewpoints.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced political environment and build stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to be discrete and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Department’s primary liaison on legislative and government matters and testify before the General Assembly as needed.
• Monitor, research, and analyze insurance policy issues for briefing Directors and staff.
• Assist in identifying, drafting and moving forward legislation, policy, and regulations with stakeholders.
• Assist with Department communications and timely delivery of statutorily required reports.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Legislative process understanding

Collaboration and negotiation

Policy analysis

Stakeholder management

Discretion and confidentiality

Professional representation

Testifying before legislature

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree in political science, law, insurance, risk management or related field

Job description

Mission Statement:

The mission of the State of South Carolina Department of Insurance is to protect and serve the insurance consumers by promoting a fair, stable, and competitive insurance market through regulation, education, and advocacy. For more information about working at the SC Department of Insurance, please visit Department of Insurance, SC - Official Website | Official Website

This position is located in the The Consumer and External Affairs Division and receives direction from the Director and Deputy Directors.

Job Purpose:

Under limited supervision, serves as the Department’s primary point of contact with South Carolina General Assembly members and staff on legislative matters as well as items involving other governmental entities. Monitors, researches, and analyzes policy issues for the purposes of informing the Director and other Department staff. Assists in identifying, prioritizing, drafting, and moving forward helpful legislation, policy, and regulations. Assists with various internal and external Department communications functions.

Job Functions:

1. Serve as the Department’s primary liaison on legislative and government matters.Acts as the Department’s primary point of contact on legislative matters as well as items involving other governmental entities. Develops and maintains relationships with legislators, legislative staff, Governor’s Office, state and federal agencies, and various other stakeholders to ensure the Department is represented in the best possible light. Coordinates with Department staff for purposes of preparing and giving testimony at legislative hearings. Testifies before the General Assembly on behalf of the Department as needed. With respect to constituent matters, serves as primary contact and coordinates appropriate Department staff as warranted.
2. Monitor, research, and analyze insurance policy issues.Monitors insurance policy issues and trends at state, national, and global levels. Researches and prepares documents (including correspondence, talking points, minutes, and notes, memos, reports, etc.) necessary to brief the Director and other Department staff on insurance regulatory issues as assigned by the Director or Deputy Directors. Provides analysis on insurance policy matters to the Director and other Department staff.
3. Assist in identifying, prioritizing, drafting, and moving forward helpful legislation, policy, and regulations.Collaborates with Department staff to identify and prioritize items to be addressed by legislation, policy, and/or regulation. Assists in drafting new or amended language for statutes, policies, and regulations. Works with legislators, legislative staff, Governor’s Office, state agencies, and various other stakeholders for passage of Department legislation and regulations.
4. Assist with various Department communications functions.Assists the Department’s Communications division on relevant media requests, outreach activities, and educational initiatives. Communicates with Director, Deputy Directors, and other relevant Department staff regarding relevant legislative, government, and policy matters. Coordinates with Department staff to ensure completion and delivery of statutorily required reports in a timely manner.
5. Additional duties as assigned by the Director and/or Deputy Directors.

A bachelor’s degreeAND four or more years of legislative, insurance, or related experience are required.

Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.

Must perform assigned duties independently, exercising sound judgment and discretion.

Ability to understand legislative and governmental systems.

Ability to collaborate, negotiate, and mediate divergent viewpoints.

Ability to work in a fast-paced political environment, assess needs of stakeholders, and adjust working style as appropriate for the environment.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships while working collaboratively with co‑workers, insurance industry, legislators, and other stakeholders.

Ability to be discrete and hold matters in confidence.

Ability to represent the agency with professionalism.

(Note: this is not an attorney position)

A bachelor’s or advanced degree in political science, law, insurance, risk management, or a related field.

• Experience drafting legislation and navigating the South Carolina legislative process.
• Experience working with members and staff of the South Carolina General Assembly.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to insurance regulation.
• Knowledge of insurance regulatory policy as well as insurance trends and issues.
• Detailed understanding of how insurance functions.
• Knowledge about the purpose and processes of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Educational Credentials:

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application will be required to submit a sealed, certified copy of the transcript(s) prior to beginning employment. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript will result in any conditional offer of employment being rescinded.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

It is the policy of the South Carolina Department of Insurance to provide equal employment opportunities to all job applicants and employees without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including, but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and lactation), disability or age.

Veteran Preference Statement:

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

The Department of Insurance offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State Retirement Plan (pension plan option) and Deferred Compensation Programs
• Employee Assistance Program
  • Free counseling sessions for employees and household members
  • Free legal counseling
  • Free financial counseling
• Flexible Work Schedules
  • Compressed work weeks
  • Part-time telecommuting
  • Flex-time
  • Contingent upon completing required probationary period
• Free Gym Access
• Growth Opportunities
  • Certifications/designation program allowing for salary increases and bonuses
• Infants at Work Program
  • Employees eligible to bring their newborn/infant to the workplace
• Free Parking