Senior Associate / Director

Vogel Group; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer contributions

Job summary

The Vogel Group in Richmond, VA seeks a Senior Associate or Director with 2–7 years in government or policy to support a diverse client portfolio on state and local issues and select federal initiatives.

Work includes developing strategies, drafting materials, coordinating meetings, managing multi-issue portfolios, and building relationships with the Virginia General Assembly, Governor’s office, agencies, and local governments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, public policy, or a related field.
• 2+ years in government or policy roles for Senior Associate; 5–7 years for Director.
• Experience producing written materials for stakeholders.
• Experience navigating state/federal legislative processes preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining and cultivating relationships with the Virginia General Assembly, Governor’s office, state agencies, and local governments.
• Serve as liaison to clients, trade associations, coalitions, consultants, and stakeholders.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and presentations for meetings.
• Manage a multi-issue policy portfolio and track legislation affecting clients.

Skills

Excellent writing

Policy research

Relationship building

Communication skills

Microsoft 365

Education

Bachelor’s degree in political science/economics/public policy

Tools

Adobe

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

The Vogel Group is one of the fastest-growing bipartisan, strategic government relations and business advisory firms based in Washington, D.C, with offices in Richmond, Nashville, Phoenix, and Tallahassee. We provide a holistic approach to advocacy, government relations, and strategic business counsel on the market, economic, political, and industry influences. Our clients include trade associations, for-profit and nonprofit companies, charitable organizations, established multinational corporations, as well as small start-ups. We help clients navigate the legislative and regulatory environments to resolve problems and build and maintain positive interactions with policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels of government. The firm’s Richmond, Virginia office welcomes applicants to apply for the position. The firm may hire at the Senior Associate or Director level based on experience.

SUMMARY:

The Senior Associate role requires 2–4 years of government or policy experience. The Director role requires 5–7 years of government or policy experience.The individual will complement and support the team’s existing efforts in developing, coordinating, and executing strategies and policy objectives on behalf of a diverse portfolio of clients in Virginia, with a focus on state and local issues and support for select federal initiatives as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in the responsibility of maintaining, cultivating, and engaging relationships that include the Virginia General Assembly, the Governor’s office, state agencies, and local governments, to create value-add opportunities that raise the visibility of Vogel Group’s clients and their policy and advocacy priorities.
• Serve as a liaison to clients, trade associations, coalitions, consultants, and other stakeholders, building support for clients’ advocacy initiatives.
• Prepare for internal and external meetings by developing briefing materials, coordinating prep calls, drafting talking points, and developing presentations.
• Manage a multi-issue policy portfolio, including tracking legislation and regulations that impact clients’ business operations.
• Work with Principals to develop and execute effective government affairs strategies consistent with clients’ business objectives.
• Define and track measurable advocacy outcomes tied to client priorities, and communicate progress, risks, and recommendations to clients and firm leadership.
• Draft legislative language, memos, and written analyses, attend hearings, draft hearing testimony, and develop policy positions for the firm’s clients.
• Monitor and analyze state, local, and federal legislative and regulatory activities and promote clients’ association and market positions.
• Collaborate with the firm’s federal and state teams and with client subject matter experts to integrate government relations strategy into clients’ business planning, community engagement, and external messaging.
• Participate and assist in the management of client visits (virtual and in-person), including managing legislative and policy collateral such as issue papers and talking points.
• Project-manage client engagements and internal initiatives, coordinating contributors, consultants, and third-party vendors so that deliverables are completed accurately and on time.
• Handle sensitive and confidential client information with a high level of discretion.
• Perform additional duties, as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Education and Experience – Senior Associate

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, public policy, or a related field required, with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience producing written materials for a variety of stakeholders.
• Government experience as a legislative aide, agency staff, or in a government relations role at a lobbying firm, law firm, corporate office, or association preferred.
• Experience planning and executing advocacy days and events preferred.
• Experience managing projects or coordinating cross-functional teams preferred.
• Working knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes at the state and local levels preferred.

Education and Experience – Director

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, public policy, or a related field required, with 5–7 years of relevant experience
• At least 3 years of experience navigating state or federal legislative, regulatory, and executive processes
• At least 3 years of experience managing cross-functional projects or teams
• Working knowledge of the General Assembly, the Governor’s office, the Executive branch, and public policy
• Demonstrated interest in policy research and client service
• Virginia General Assembly or other government experience preferred

Skills

• Excellent writing, presentation, and oral communication skills, with a strong command of grammar and comfort engaging high-profile audiences
• Professionalism, confidence, and drive
• Exceptional strategic, creative, and interpersonal skills
• Strong research and analytical skills, including evaluating the economic, political, and social impacts of legislative and regulatory action
• Outstanding organization, follow-up, and time management skills
• Ability to establish and cultivate strong long-term relationships
• Team-oriented, with the ability to work independently
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and Adobe
• Ethics: Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles; upholds organizational values.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information; skillfully develops alternative solutions and exercises good judgment; works well in group problem-solving situations; uses reason.
• Organizational Support: Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization’s goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities.
• Communication: Effectively communicates ideas and thoughts verbally and in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Teamwork: Eager and able to work in a collaborative and cross-disciplinary fashion in a fast-paced, dynamic, and deadline-oriented environment.
• Salary commensurate with experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution

The Vogel Group is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Vogel Group does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disability, or other applicable legal protected characteristics.