Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

Optimum•New York, NY

24d•$242,760 - $346,800•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Vice President of Government Affairs is an executive level role that is responsible for managing federal, state and local government, legislative, regulatory, and political affairs for Optimum’s video, broadband, voice, wireless, media, and advertising services across the company’s 21-state footprint. This role requires developing and executing substantive strategies in support of the Company brand, mission, business and policy goals. A critical component of the position is leading a team of professionals focused on federal, state and local government affairs, prioritizing work, fostering a culture of focus and agility, and empowering the team to maintain real-time awareness of key policy developments, decipher what is relevant for the company and balancing big-picture with disciplined execution to deliver results on issues that will make an impact. The Senior Vice President is a business leader who is engaged and well versed in the Company’s key growth strategies, execution, and operational requirements and can advocate with authority and credibility in support of the Company and work collaboratively alongside other business leaders.

Requirements

15 years’ experience as multi-state government affairs executive with a major telecommunications/cable/media company, senior level federal, state or local policy advisor or official. Deep functional experience in government and public affairs, with proven relationships and coalition building skills, is essential.
Experience developing and executing complex political strategies and advocacy campaigns on high profile issues.
Team building skills, including the ability to work effectively with colleagues across the organization.
Leadership skills, including ability to advance company interests in venues that require consensus building.
Flexibility and creativity in problem solving, particularly in negotiations with government officials and agencies in a fast-evolving regulatory landscape.
Capable leadership and stakeholder management in responding to time-sensitive and critical events. An ability to develop budgets and oversee their execution.
An undergraduate degree is required. A law degree or graduate level degree is strongly preferred.
Transformation-oriented executive with the perseverance and open-mindedness to lead and drive sustained, company-wide transformation who gets energy from effecting change.
Excellent communicator with a confident and collaborative style, adept at aligning internal and external stakeholders.
Inspiring leader who can assess, attract, and develop talent.

Responsibilities

Government Affairs Relationships: Support the development and maintenance of strategic relationships across Optimum's 21-state footprint, including: federal officials, key Governor’s offices, state regulatory agencies and other state and local agencies, members of the state legislatures key legislative staff members, and local leaders. Build and maintain relationships with industry peers, industry associations, and influential third-party groups a to positively impact the outcome of key governmental strategies, effectively leveraging both the team and outside consultants as needed to supplement.
Legislative & Regulatory Affairs: Manage legislative and regulatory advocacy in support of all of the Company’s businesses to achieve a better governmental environment for the company’s products and services and protect the company’s interest in all jurisdictions where Optimum operates, respond to and manage inquiries, and influence legislative and regulatory outcomes to best serve the Company and its customers.
Franchising & Local Issues: Obtain, maintain, renew and manage franchises and related authorizations to support network investment and service expansion.
Community Affairs: With the sales and communications teams, coordinate community affairs to identify strategic targets for execution of public affairs initiatives to support the company’s image and relationships with public officials and develop and expand charitable activities in support of the Company mission and brand.
PAC Development and Administration. Manage and expand the strategic focus of the Company’s federal and State Political Action Committees and political contribution program, drive employee engagement and support through coordinated events, activities and messaging, and ensure the strategic use of funds to support company priorities and relationships.
This candidate is a senior Company leader with the vision and skills to develop and expand the effectiveness of the government affairs professional staff to drive value for the Company. The successful candidate must understand the substantive policy issues of the Company and of the communications and media industry.
Competently anticipate and evaluate issues of importance to the Company and effectively handle such issues in all aspects, using all resources available to the role and the Company appropriate to the challenge.
Create and communicate a vision, both internally and externally, of the future of the Company and its differentiation versus peers.
Deliver thought leadership with subject matter expertise to drive passion among larger team with both direct and indirect reporting lines.
Be a regular presence in Optimum Headquarters in Long Island City, NY, and available for field travel to Optimum footprint as needed.
Demonstrate business acumen and the ability to translate policy concepts and drive actionable and realistic strategies that can drive results from concept to implementation.