Vice President, Government Affairs

Cengage; Arlington (VA); Remote; USD 192,000 - 308,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Vice President of Government Affairs to lead strategic relationships with government officials. This fully remote position offers the opportunity to shape public policy in education while collaborating with executive leadership. The ideal candidate will bring extensive government affairs experience, excellent communication skills, and a results-driven mindset. You will be responsible for developing lobbying strategies, managing relationships, and presenting at national conferences to further the company’s thought leadership. Join a team dedicated to transforming education and making a meaningful impact on learners' lives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in government affairs, with strong public speaking experience.
• Ability to manage lobbying activities and navigate legislative processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead Cengage’s relationships with government officials at all levels.
• Develop lobbying strategies and present at national conferences.
• Recruit and develop a high-performing government affairs team.

Skills

Government Affairs Experience

Public Testimony

Lobbying Management

Legislative Processes Knowledge

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Team Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Political Science

Experience in Education or Learning

Job description

We believe in the power and joy of learning

At Cengage Group, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose – driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

Our culture values diversity, engagement, and discovery

Our business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive and diverse workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do, and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through inclusive programs, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day.

The Vice President, Government Affairs will report to the General Counsel and lead Cengage’s relationships with federal, state, and local officials. They will develop and implement lobbying strategies, manage external subject matter experts and lobbyists, and collaborate with Corporate Communications, the CEO, and executive leadership. This role includes positioning Cengage and its executives as thought leaders and strategic partners through proactive engagement.

The ideal candidate will have a strong mix of government affairs expertise and business insight, along with leadership and interpersonal skills to align teams toward business goals. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and a results-driven approach are needed. They must also understand Cengage’s processes to manage budgets, expenses, and autonomous work teams effectively.

Where you'll work: Candidates must be located in the Washington DC area. This is a fully remote work from home position.

What you will do here:

• Responsible for direction, planning and coordination of Cengage’s relationship with all levels of government.
• Responsible for lobbying Congress and Executive Agencies on strategic imperatives.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with key local, state and federal government officials and serves as the point of contact for all lobbying activities.
• Present and speak at national conferences to further Cengage’s thought leadership and advance policy priorities.
• Seek opportunities for Cengage senior leaders to participate in speaking opportunities and/or discussions to help shape public policy around education.
• Disseminate timely and thorough analyses of both proposed and final impactful legislation and/or regulations to senior leaders.
• Establish and administer a government relations strategy for dealing with public policy issues, as well as specific education issues for our customers as needed; confers with legal counsel to ensure legality and appropriate actions.
• Coordinates with business strategy and business development to evaluate risks and opportunities.
• Participate in CEO and senior management meetings with senior government officials and advise on all issues to help Cengage with strategic decision making with public partners.
• Collaborate with Corporate Communications in developing consistent public relations messaging in public policy space to ensure alignment of narrative on education as well as during crisis public relations as it relates to media and policymakers to protect Cengage’s public profile.
• Serve as liaison with lobbyists and representatives of advocacy groups, and actively participates in regular information-sharing meetings.
• Strategically position Cengage in leadership roles at trade associations and coalitions to further company’s policy positions.
• Recruit, retain, and develop a high performing government affairs team, both internal and external members, to strategically align with business needs.

Skills you will need here:

Government Affairs Experience

• At least 10 years of demonstrated government affairs experience in government (legislative or regulatory), and/or in a corporation, association, or an advocacy organization.
• At least 5 years of defined and clear examples of successfully providing in-person and verbal public testimony, interviews, speeches, presentations, or other representations of a corporation, non-profit, or government entity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage lobbying representative activities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal legislative and regulatory processes, especially as relates to Cengage.
• Familiarity with or the ability to quickly learn the learning industry’s concepts, practices, procedures and its relationship with the current legislative and regulatory environment.

Language / Communication Skills

• Ability to communicate a point or message and successfully reach an outcome working with others that is in the company’s best interests.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret economic/business data and operational reports, as well as, statutes, regulations, and relevant legal documents.
• Competent in utilizing information technology to develop and communicate reports and messaging to targeted audiences.

Other Personal Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage independent and autonomous work teams.
• Commitment to mission of the company.
• Curious and comfortable with change and willing to try new things to transform education.
• Standout colleague who focuses on established work goals for team and company.
• Exhibits professional conduct and maintains high standards of integrity at all times.
• Responds promptly to employee, customer, and governmental needs and solicits feedback to improve service.
• Promotes a safe and collaborative working environment.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in political science or closely related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in education or learning.

Cengage Group does not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Cengage Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail] or you may call us at [phone].

About Cengage Group

Cengage Group, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

Compensation

At Cengage Group, we take great pride in our commitment to providing a comprehensive and rewarding Total Rewards package designed to support and empower our employees. The full base pay range has been provided for this position. Individual base pay will vary based on work schedule, qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location. Sales roles often incorporate a significant incentive compensation program beyond this base pay range.

$192,500.00 - $308,000.00 USD