Senior Director of State and Local Government Relations

Austal USA•Mobile, AL

About The Position

REPORTS TO: Chief Growth Officer SUPERVISES: Assigned Managers AUTHORITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES: Represent Austal USA on state/local legislative and regulatory issues Monitor and analyze proposed legislation and regulations to determine potential impacts on business operations Oversee fiscal impact assessments of tax and procurement policies to guide executive decision making Develop, lead, and execute state/local government engagement strategy Maintain close contact with government officials and staff members throughout the year to maintain awareness of key programs Support and lead tours and visits to Austal USA facilities as required Manage external contract lobbyists and consultants across multiple jurisdictions to ensure consistent messaging Ensure 100% compliance with state ethics, lobbying disclosure, and campaign finance laws Coordinate with internal legal and communications teams to ensure unified public facing positions Support Austal USA trade show and media engagement efforts Support the Director of Government Relations (Federal) when needed QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE: REQUIRED: 10 years’ experience within state and local government or similar roles Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience; degree / experience in Public Policy, Business, Communications, Marketing or related field preferred. Thorough understanding of Alabama politics Ability to succeed in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment Proven ability to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously Ability to listen to customers and act appropriately Excellent communication and outreach skills Ability to read, comprehend, interpret and apply governmental regulations DESIRED: Experience managing budgets Understanding of DoD acquisition process as related to DoD ship procurement Experience identifying grant opportunities and preparing required proposals to obtain those grants TOOLS: Microsoft Office including Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES: Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA: 18 years of age or older at time of application Able to provide proof of US Person Status No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date Willing to submit to a drug screen Willing to submit to a background check Equal Employment Commitment Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932. Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion. Austal USA is a ship manufacturer headquartered in Mobile, Ala., with service centers in San Diego and Singapore and a technology center in Charlottesville, Va. With the most modern steel panel line in the shipbuilding industry, Austal USA’s facility is capable of supporting the manufacture of both aluminum and steel ships. Austal USA leverages a moving module production line and strict adherence to lean manufacturing principles to consistently deliver on-schedule and on-budget. Austal USA is currently under contract for several programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), the TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ships, the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), the Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue ships (T-ATS), the Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), the Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM), and the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), and is supporting Navy unmanned vessel programs leveraging its advanced machinery control system. Austal USA’s service business provides global support to U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command and other customers. Austal USA’s San Diego Service Center includes a waterfront facility that will have the capability to drydock small combatants and similar sized ships. Earning 23 safety excellence awards, Austal USA continues to be one of the safest shipyards in America.

Requirements

10 years’ experience within state and local government or similar roles
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience; degree / experience in Public Policy, Business, Communications, Marketing or related field preferred.
Thorough understanding of Alabama politics
Ability to succeed in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment
Proven ability to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously
Ability to listen to customers and act appropriately
Excellent communication and outreach skills
Ability to read, comprehend, interpret and apply governmental regulations

Nice To Haves

Experience managing budgets
Understanding of DoD acquisition process as related to DoD ship procurement
Experience identifying grant opportunities and preparing required proposals to obtain those grants

Responsibilities

Represent Austal USA on state/local legislative and regulatory issues
Monitor and analyze proposed legislation and regulations to determine potential impacts on business operations
Oversee fiscal impact assessments of tax and procurement policies to guide executive decision making
Develop, lead, and execute state/local government engagement strategy
Maintain close contact with government officials and staff members throughout the year to maintain awareness of key programs
Support and lead tours and visits to Austal USA facilities as required
Manage external contract lobbyists and consultants across multiple jurisdictions to ensure consistent messaging
Ensure 100% compliance with state ethics, lobbying disclosure, and campaign finance laws
Coordinate with internal legal and communications teams to ensure unified public facing positions
Support Austal USA trade show and media engagement efforts
Support the Director of Government Relations (Federal) when needed