Senior Vice President, Government Relations

Job Description
Senior Vice President, Government Relations Marketing Statement:
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is seeking a visionary and results-oriented Senior Vice President, Government Relations to lead the Authority¿s strategic engagement with federal, state, and local government partners. As a direct report to the General Manager & CEO, this executive will serve as WMATA¿s chief advocate and liaison to elected officials, policy leaders, and regulatory agencies championing the organization¿s priorities and strengthening the region¿s investment in transit.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government, Law, Communications or related field

Experience

• A minimum of twelve (12) years of professional experience in Government relations and Executive transportation or a closely related field to include a minimum of five years of recent experience dealing with federal, state, local or regional governmental entities

Certification/Licensure

• N/A

Preferred

• N/A

Medical Group
Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Summary
The Senior Vice President, Government Relations, leads the Government Relations office and serves as a key member of the Senior Executive Team and reports directly to the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer (GM&CEO). This role leads WMATA¿s legislative strategy and government engagement efforts to secure funding, shape policy, build strategic coalitions and ensure necessary regulatory framework. The SVP advises executive leadership and the Board on legislative matters across federal, state, and local levels, including DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The SVP represent the GM&CEO in legislative affairs and is authorized when directed to make commitments on their behalf. The SVP also leads coordination with MWCOG and other regional entities to advance Metro¿s strategic transformation and ensure alignment with public policy and funding priorities.

Job Duties

• Develops and implements legislative and political strategies at the national and regional levels. Ensures funding and enactment of policy initiatives to achieve the Authority's business goals and objectives.
• Leads the creation of multi-discipline plans and stakeholder groups that support legislative programs to achieve Metro business objectives. Works with internal staff, and external stakeholders (i.e., area officials, business leaders, Board members, jurisdictional and Congressional staff and members) to achieve initiatives.
• Leads and executes the annual strategy to ensure funding from three jurisdictions and the federal government by developing an overall plan of action, preparing testimony, preparing for multiple legislative hearings, working with the internal communications team on positioning and ensuring timely response to inquiries.
• Identifies and initiates legislative and policy initiatives to address business plan objectives or proactively take advantage of opportunities for the Authority.
• Manages the relationships and internal responsiveness to the jurisdictional staff that serve as liaisons to Metro.
• Initiates or independently proposes business strategies and programs advice for the Authority to the GM & CEO, the Board and executive leadership team that are responsive to challenges posed by stakeholders and elected officials.
• Works independently with internal peers and the executive team to build strong relationships with funders within the jurisdictions, and throughout the federal government.
• Represents the Authority and works with other transit agencies to develop and help implement national policy and initiatives beneficial to the Authority.
• Establishes and maintains liaison with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and Executive Branch staff, including the Office of Management and Budget, other federal agency officials, regional, state, and local officials, business and industry associations and other stakeholders.
• Develops and executes effective and sustainable engagement strategies that yield long-term relationships with elected officials and their staff
• Directs, manages and supervises Government Relations staff to include establishing business plan goals and budget, setting annual performance goals for the office and staff, directing and assigning work, establishing legislative work plans and conducting performance evaluations of subordinates based upon these work plans.
• Represents the GM&CEO at congressional and executive branch meetings and meetings with officials from other governmental entities.
• Advises the GM&CEO and the Board of Directors on legislative and policy implications of Authority actions and positions. Serves as legislative advisor on matters and strategy affecting the Authority's interests before the Congress, Executive Branch, state and local legislative bodies and federal, state or local executive branch entities. Coordinates the Authority's regional political strategy.
• Speaks for the GM&CEO in legislative matters and upon direction, is authorized to make commitments in his/ her name.
• Supervises subordinate staff to include recommending applicant selection, fostering the professional development of subordinate staff, taking appropriate disciplinary actions, resolving grievances, assigning duties, directing work, conducting performance evaluations, approving leave requests and timesheets, and ensuring appropriate subordinate training is provided.

Other Duties

• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.
Evaluation Criteria
Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing
WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.