Associate Vice President, Legislation

Associate Vice President
Legislation

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About the Role
Kasirer is seeking to hire an energetic, hard-working strategic thinker to join our team. As Associate Vice President (AVP), they will work closely with the firm’s current clients and lead complex projects, as well as look to expand the firm’s legislative practice in our work with critical stakeholders to improve City and State operations.

Kasirer is looking for an individual with strong intergovernmental and research skills and experience who has either worked for or with government, non-profit or private sector companies tracking or drafting legislation in government relations or similar roles. The AVP will have a deep understanding of advocacy, community relations, coalition building, and a range of issues and policy areas important to NYC (New York City). They will develop strategic plans designed to engage decision makers in government and elected office to achieve concrete legislative goals for our clients. They must have a keen understanding of the intersection of community stakeholders, influencers, third party organizations and labor to craft a coalition to support or oppose City or State legislation; they must be swift, focused, and effective in crisis situations and have an ability to guide clients through delicate situations; and they must be strategic negotiators and messengers. This person will be highly organized and capable of identifying opportunities and utilizing a network of connections relevant to our clients.

The AVP must have a calm response to crisis and thrive in a high-pressure environment to lead clients through complex situations that spontaneously emerge, all while managing workflows on a variety of long-term projects with a discerning eye on the ever-changing political landscape. They must be able to manage and move multiple projects forward for numerous clients simultaneously and stay on top of external events and developments that can be leveraged to help achieve a client’s goals. Relationships with City Council Members and State legislators are key, and relationships with Borough Presidents and their staff, as well as with members of the Mayoral administration are important. The successful candidate will be a skilled communicator and able to work collaboratively with the firm’s leadership and staff to promote a respectful and inclusive environment that emphasizes cooperation and teamwork. In addition, they must be respectful of the perspectives of others and possess sound judgment.

Kasirer’s diverse Legislative portfolio includes a variety of companies and non-profit organizations. We work with a range of different clients on many policy areas, and the AVP Legislation thrives covering many issues.

The AVP uses their traits of self-motivation, superior organizational skills, and ability to follow-up on and be attentive to all details to manage the diverse client portfolio. The AVP may oversee and manage a team of Associates and Directors to support client management. The AVP is a quick-study and becomes well-versed in industry trends and New York-specific details relevant to assigned clients.

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for legislative, policy, rule-making and regulatory issues affecting clients across Kasirer’s Real Estate, Corporate, and Nonprofit Teams.
  • Assigned to clients with significant legislative demands in a support role with either the President, Executive Vice President, or Senior Vice President, to be determined by the team lead and Kasirer principals.
  • Organize and maintain a tracking system that allows for collaboration across teams on legislative issues:
    • Build familiarity with issues mattering to clients across teams.
    • Track all introductions and bills to ensure that clients know about legislation, especially if it is moving, relevant to their portfolio.
  • Support the firm’s clients and client leads:
    • Write and finalize drafts of legislative strategic engagement plans, and closely monitor plan status and progress of legislation for clients.
    • Craft legislative and policy strategies for clients to either support legislative initiatives with the goal of becoming law, modify initiatives to create palatable outcomes, or “kill” legislative proposals through advocacy and coalition building.
    • Draft both City and State legislative language to meet client needs.
    • Lead regular calls with team members regarding legislation and join calls as required to explain legislation and strategy to clients.
    • Prepare clients and third-party partners for upcoming hearings by drafting testimony if needed, providing context, and coordinating hearing logistics.
    • Analyze legislative proposals and communicate effects directly to clients and elected officials.
    • Ensure external meetings with elected officials and key stakeholders on behalf of clients, as well as internal calls with clients, are scheduled in a timely manner.
    • Ensure that agendas and briefing materials are sent to clients, answer any questions, and provide clarification, as needed.
    • Gather strategic intel relevant to clients and legislation.
    • Conduct research and issue analysis, utilize network and relationships to gather intel, and have a deep understanding of politics, government, and lobbying, to inform client strategies.
    • Advocate regularly with decision makers and staff of elected and government officials, community leaders, and third-party stakeholders, to support client strategy.
    • Participate in weekly team meetings and ensure that client updates are input into team tracking systems.
    • Consistently communicate progress and status updates with clients, both verbally and in writing.
    • Connect with internal and external contacts to make appropriate connections for the client.
    • Distribute daily relevant news and updates to clients and client teams on all topics which matter to tracked legislation.
    • Attend relevant political, civic, and social events with clients and introduce them to key stakeholders.
  • Support the overall strategic needs of the firm:
    • Leverage their contacts with elected officials and senior staff of key elected and government officials, third-party and community stakeholders to benefit Kasirer’s clients.
    • Attend networking opportunities and events to create connections and build a network that aids in the growth of the firm.
    • Develop relationships with principals of clients and staff, and proactively build strong relationships with the client.

Knowledge and Skills

  • Extremely strong organizational skills including detail-orientation. Ability to organize, prioritize, track, and manage workflow/resources. Ability to strategically manage multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment.
  • Exceptional ability to distill complicated information into easy-to-understand memos;
  • Proactive about trying to get better at whatever they do; reflect on successes/failures, seek feedback, incorporate feedback immediately to improve, ask for the help or resources they need to be successful, and assume personal responsibility.
  • Understanding of New York City’s political landscape, and a strong interest in learning more about City government.

Experience and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree a plus;
  • Minimum of four years experience working in either government relations, legislative affairs, City or State government, or equivalent;
  • Well-developed research skills and ability to analyze data and trends;
  • Exceptional oral and written communications skills and high attention to detail;
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with a strong team ethic;
  • Existing network of contacts with government officials, New York City elected officials and their staff;
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and lead multiple lobbying advocacy campaigns;
  • Willingness to attend night events/meetings and occasional weekend events;
  • Working knowledge of MS Office software, i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Kasirer is an equal opportunity employer. The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $125,000.

To apply for this position please send your cover letter and resume with the subject line “Associate Vice President, Legislation” to KasirerApplicants@kasirer.nyc.