Director, Regional Policy

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

Nashville, Tennessee

Position Description / Responsibilities

The Director of Regional Policy leads and implements the Chamber’s efforts in relationship-building, initiatives, programs and lobbying that serve the Chamber’s strategic objectives across the Middle Tennessee region (14 counties). The Director of Regional Policy assists with special projects of regional significance on behalf of the Chamber including, but not limited to, Vital Signs and provides critical support on Moving Forward. The Director of Regional Policy serves as the Chamber’s administrative support to regional-focused Political Action Committees (PACs) including transit-related PACs.

Essential Functions:

• Leads under the direction of the Chief Policy Officer the development and implementation of the Chamber’s regional policy agenda through the annual policy survey, drafting the regional policy agenda, lobbying to the agenda, facilitating member engagement through the Middle Tennessee Business Voice online tool.
• Expands and deepens relationships with regional partners (including, but not limited to, elected and administrative officials, non-profits with regional scope, member volunteers, and partner chambers and economic development entities) to implement the regional policy agenda. Lobbies regional elected officials as needed to achieve the regional policy agenda.
• Oversees and assists with the completion of special projects and critical core functions of the Policy Theatre that are related to the Middle Tennessee region including the regional portion of the legislative agenda, Vital Signs (lead staff), Policy Survey (lead staff) and Moving Forward (support to Chief Policy Officer).
• Provides administrative assistance and knowledge of regional elected officials’ policy positions and actions to regional-level political action committees (PACs) including, but not limited to, transportation-related PACs.
• Monitors and analyzes legislation and policy action impacting the Middle Tennessee region to identify the impact on the Chamber’s ability to pursue its strategic objectives and provides policy expertise, analysis and development of solutions on issues at the regional level.
• Effectively engages volunteers in the policymaking process through Middle Tennessee Business Voice and through the Moving Forward volunteer effort.
• Participates in developing the Policy Theater budget to meet the Chamber’s regional legislative goals.
• As part of the Chamber’s overall revenue culture, the Director of Regional Policy is responsible for securing revenue from sources determined when annual key accountabilities are set.

Position Requirements

Knowledge/Education and Experience Required:

• Graduate of an accredited university required, with an advanced degree preferred.
• Three or more years of experience with a proven track record in public policy or government affairs.
• Strong working knowledge of local legislative processes in Middle Tennessee preferred.
• Prior experience successfully managing a budget and generating revenue preferred.
• Knowledge of transportation/transit/mobility policies and strategies preferred.
• Demonstrated passion for Middle Tennessee and a commitment to ensuring that business concerns are represented in regional policy decisions.
• Professional maturity.
• Strong strategic planning capabilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including public speaking.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing policy circumstances in a fast-paced political environment.
• Outstanding interpersonal relations skills.

Skills and Abilities Required:

• Ability to apply reasoning and problem-solving skills to quickly identify critical issues and develop plans and programs to accomplish objectives.
• Leadership style that creates trust, enthusiasm, and confidence and produces results for the team.
• Positive approach.
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies and build consensus and coalition across differing viewpoints.
• Ability to demonstrate balance in perspective – understands and supports the values of the Chamber while respecting the values of all points of view.
• Competence in creating and meeting budgets.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and the work of multiple staff.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple tasks and work with internal and external stakeholders simultaneously.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work with little supervision.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours.
• Knowledge of PC functions and Microsoft Office Applications, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Application Instructions

Send cover letter and resume to employment@nashvillechamber.com.