Vice President, Political Affairs

U.S. Travel Association•Washington, DC

3d•$235,000 - $250,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President, Political Affairs is responsible for U.S. Travel Association’s PAC, grassroots advocacy and champion development work. The role manages and executes strategies to strengthen U.S. Travel’s presence with Congress and federal agencies, advance pro-travel policies, and amplify the travel industry’s voice in Washington, D.C. The position directly supervises a Senior Manager, Political Affairs. The role leads TravelPAC fundraising and engagement, develops and improves grassroots advocacy programs, and builds relationships between the travel industry and congressional and executive branch champions. It coordinates political and industry events, member and coalition engagement, advocacy communications, and compliance with applicable campaign finance, congressional ethics and internal policies. The role collaborates with U.S. Travel’s government relations, policy and other internal teams, as well as members, industry stakeholders and outside consultants. The position is based in Washington, D.C. Staff work in the office Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with the option to work remotely Mondays and Fridays. Travel of up to 35% is required. Salary is $235,000–$250,000 with bonus potential.

Requirements

10–15 years of prior advocacy, campaign, PAC or grassroots work experience.
Undergraduate degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications or an applicable field.
Understanding of the legislative process and strong political instincts.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Ability to build relationships with internal and external contacts and collaborate effectively.
Ability to recognize and address issues, pursue them through resolution, and develop practical solutions.
Leadership, influence, motivation, mentoring and coaching capabilities.
Ability to travel up to 35%.

Nice To Haves

Association PAC experience preferred.
Trade association and/or travel industry experience is a plus.
Advocacy experience in the travel and tourism industry is a plus, but not required.
Master’s degree preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead TravelPAC fundraising events at CEO Roundtables, board meetings, the summer auction and other industry events.
Increase PAC fundraising and engagement among corporate CEOs and lobbyists, destination leaders and local industry executives.
Develop a prior approval campaign and fundraising campaigns with approved member organizations.
Work with campaign fundraisers, industry stakeholders and U.S. Travel’s government relations team to host campaign events.
Communicate regularly with the TravelPAC Board of Directors and donors through emails, conference calls and newsletters.
Increase TravelPAC’s visibility at U.S. Travel events; maintain legal counsel communications to support FEC compliance; and develop growth and execution metrics.
Attend PAC events and political and industry functions, which may take place early in the morning or in the evening.
Maintain and improve the grassroots program to increase political education and participation in advocacy campaigns.
Coordinate U.S. Travel’s annual Destination Capitol Hill fly-in and develop materials, briefing documents and educational content for advocates.
Draft newsletters and action alerts, encourage engagement with Congress, and grow advocacy-focused social media outreach.
Plan stakeholder and coalition engagement with industry associations, business groups, third-party allies, and state and local policymakers.
Identify ways to expand the travel industry’s voice at the federal, state and local levels; respond to member needs; and collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders.
Build and maintain relationships with associations, think tanks and nonprofits, and work with consultants and travel industry lobbyists to execute advocacy.
Design and execute a congressional champion development program, including year-round engagements such as PAC events, in-district education visits and site tours, fundraisers and industry events.
Map relationships across the industry, identifying members, executives and advocates with ties to priority congressional champions and targets.
Connect U.S. Travel members with members of Congress through meetings, facility visits and events, and coach members to serve as recurring industry advocates.
Coordinate PAC contributions and industry engagement to support congressional champions advancing association policy priorities.
Work with government relations and policy teams to prioritize champion targets according to committee jurisdiction, leadership roles and pending legislation.
Track champion engagement, member touchpoints and PAC activity, and report relationship strength, champion growth and legislative outcomes to leadership.
Ensure PAC, fundraising and event activities comply with FEC regulations, House and Senate ethics and gift rules, and internal policies.
Supervise a Senior Manager, Political Affairs; mentor and coach others and promote collaboration, trust and effective problem-solving.