Director, State Affairs
AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) is hiring a Director of State Affairs to join our office in Washington DC.
We are looking for a service-oriented professional who enjoys variety and challenge to join our Government Relations team. This individual will direct daily state government relations operations, expansion of engagement efforts, developing long-term relationships with lawmakers in state capitals and direct efforts to grow AEM’s profile among industry groups, coalitions, and associations.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee the association’s day-to-day state government relations efforts, including outreach and engagement with lawmakers and their staff on the association’s top policy priorities.
- Develop and implement strategies to advance the association’s policy priorities.
- Track, review and analyze state legislation that could impact the equipment manufacturing industry including, but not limited to, agriculture, infrastructure, intellectual property, tax, and workforce development.
- Plan, coordinate, and implement efforts to raise the profile of the association and the equipment manufacturing industry among state business groups, industry organizations, coalitions, and other key stakeholders.
- Work with the association’s regulatory, compliance, and safety function to align and coordinate legislative and regulatory efforts at the state level.
- Respond to internal and external requests for information on state legislative matters.
- Draft statements, talking points, and other advocacy-focused materials.
- Manage State Affairs Regional Manager (based in the Midwest)
- Manage state lobbying strategy and contract lobbyists as needed.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as political science, economics, or journalism. Experience working for a trade association, corporation, or in a state legislative office or executive office preferred. This position requires at least 8 years of experience in government relations, including the ability to develop and execute winning advocacy strategies in multiple states. Candidates must have in-depth knowledge of state legislative processes, procedures, rules, and calendars. Candidates must also be well organized and detail-oriented with the ability to seamlessly shift focus, location, and priorities for the benefit of the association and its member companies. Strong aptitude for developing productive working relationships with stakeholders important to the industry is a plus. The position offers challenging work with plenty of room for initiative and independence. Domestic travel required at least 33 percent.
Event Services Manager
We are offering this opportunity to an event professional who enjoys variety and challenge to join our team of Event Services professionals. This individual will work as the primary liaison between internal staff and external partners for tradeshow housing, and logistical services such as A/V, internet and floral.
Responsibilities:
• Managing third-party event services vendors such as housing platform vendors, meeting room rental & payment platforms and other service-related technology.
• Manage, develop, and implement housing & logistical plans across multiple systems including attendee and exhibitor sites and exhibitor service manuals.
• Manage housing programs for tradeshows including working with housing provider, site builds, inventory & strategic program management, testing, customer service.
• Working with internal & external stakeholders to secure and order show services, develop & price sponsorship opportunities, and to cultivate future programs/activations to enhance services & experiences.
• Budget management: work with stakeholders & vendors to develop, manage and reforecast budgets as needed.
• Vendor selection & contracting. Vet, recommend, and contract vendors for services, such as housing, A/V, internet, and floral.
• Additional tasks may include meeting room management, catering and concession planning & implementation and other tradeshow related service tasks.
• Develop and continuously enhance programs through the analysis of survey feedback, post-show data, internal and external needs, monetization opportunities and more.
• Manage additional rotating department logistical tasks, such as transportation, parking passes, car rentals, airline discounts, onsite staff.
Requirements:
• Associates degree or higher in event management (or equivalent work experience)
• Proficiency in designing and implementing many show services, such as; meeting room rental programs, housing programs, and plan development and implementation for A/V, internet, catering/concession, and floral services.
• Knowledge of event and project management
• Experience working in tradeshow or event operations
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft products, specifically Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), leadership and interpersonal skills
• Flexibility: may be asked to manage additional logistical event tasks, as needed, outside of noted tasks
• Preference for a collaborative workstyle
• Willingness to travel up to 20%, including some nights & weekends
• Work in the office three days a week to maximize team collaboration
• Industry related certification (CMP or CEM) desirable but not required