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POSITION PURPOSE
Under the administrative direction of the President and CEO, the VP of Government Affairs, plans, organizes, directs, and administers the functions of the Government Affairs Division, and counsels and supports the President and CEO on a wide variety of sensitive internal and external issues.

This position is responsible for the management and oversight of INDYGO's government affairs functions, which include the development of legislative policies for the organization. The incumbent functions with a high degree of independence and provides all manner of policy advice and recommendations to the President and CEO as circumstances require.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To be successful in this role, an individual must be able to perform in a satisfactory manner the functions listed below. The company will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans, organizes, directs, staffs, coordinates, and manages the Government Affairs Division.

• Assists the President and CEO in maintaining and fostering positive working relationships with INDYGO's elected and appointed leaders.

• Works closely with the President/CEO in external work by actively engaging in and advocating for public transportation and IndyGo initiatives throughout the community.

• Collaborates with the Leadership team to develop and implement a proactive strategy for government relations at the local, state and national level.

• Maintains and nurtures the relationships with government, associated authorities and all committees, legislatively represents and protects the organization interests.

• Works with Leadership team, Management team and Board of Directors in overseeing and coordinating IndyGo activities, communications and interactions with elected public officials, business, civic and community leaders.

• Advises the President and CEO on a wide variety of sensitive internal and external issues.

• Develops legislative policy in accordance with the directives of the President and CEO and the Board of Directors including directing formulation of new and revised legislative proposals.

• Analyzes and evaluates complex legislative problems and proposed legislation, recommends legislative and policy solutions, and develops recommendations for the President and CEO and Board of Directors.

• Performs or directs special studies and prepares and presents reports, data, recommendations, and alternatives to the President and CEO.

• Analyzes, coordinates, and/or implements special projects with support from various divisions and departments, as needed.

• Prepares and presents oral and written reports, correspondence, and statistical analysis.

• Works with executive staff in assisting the President and CEO with interactions with various internal and external constituencies.

• Assists in the establishment of corporate strategies, policies and plans, which align with government laws, regulations and standards.

• Serves as principal point of contact for tracking and developing responses to matters involving transportation legislation and policy and other legislation or policy that impact the organization’s ability to provide service.

• Monitors legislative and regulatory activities, promotes company position.

• Leads analysis of proposed legislative actions, determines the potential impact on the organization and develops appropriate responses.

• Coordinates the design and development of program services with the President and CEO and Executive Management.

• Reviews IndyGo status reports and media coverage and identifies potential controversial issues; briefing and advising the President and CEO on policy issues and problem areas.

• In conjunction with other executive staff, where appropriate, coordinates and oversees responses to directives from the Board of Directors and other correspondence.

• Represents the President and CEO and IndyGo, as directed by the President and CEO.

• Participates in the development of IndyGo’s long range strategic plans.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• May familiarize other staff in the functions of the office and the proper method of performing their job.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience.

• Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, business, or a related field required; advanced degree is preferred.

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in a public service leadership role is required, preferably in the transportation industry.

• Valid Indiana driver’s license is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The company will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Knowledge of regional and national politics as they pertain to the business of IndyGo;

• Understanding of principles, practices, and trends of public administration and intergovernmental relations.

• Knowledge of transportation policies, funding and legislative processes, and related procedures.

• Developed understanding of public administration, legislative analysis, and policy analysis techniques at the program and political level.

• Methods applicable to management analysis including statistics, staff analysis, budgetary analysis, and study plan preparation skills.

• Report writing, preparation, and presentation skills.

• Understanding of State, federal, and local governing laws.

• Communication techniques used to gather, evaluate, and transmit information.

• Proficiency using a computer, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, the internet, and complex spreadsheets and databases.

• High level of confidentiality and flexibility is required.

• Effectively organize, direct, coordinate, and manage assigned activities, functions, and staff;

• Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive correspondence, reports, presentations, proposals, and other material.

• Able to define problem areas and evaluate, recommend, and implement alternative solutions to complex issues and problems.

• Deals effectively with a wide variety of community and government officials;

• Takes initiative, reason logically, and be creative in developing and introducing new ideas;

• Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;

• Able to collaborate with other executive managers in the development and implementation of policies and programs.

• Effectively represent IndyGo before the Board of Directors, city councils, and other local, regional, state and federal agencies, as well as in public meetings with local citizens.

• Ability to work effectively under stressful situations involving tight deadlines as well as confrontation and conflict.

• Promotes teamwork, a positive work environment, and collaborative problem solving.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those an individual must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.

• Ability to work independently with work checked on a regular basis.

• Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time, to kneel/bend, and to move throughout the workday, occasionally between departments and/or facilities.

• Strong sensory skills, such as good hearing, dexterity, feeling, and good eyesight, including peripheral vision.

• Ability to speak clearly.

• Ability to lift materials and equipment up to 50 pounds.

• Some local and conference travel.

• Evening and weekend work hours required occasionally; “on-call” availability required.