EVP, Congressional Relations

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Job Description:

The Executive Vice President (EVP) of Congressional Relations is the face of the ABA and America’s banks on Capitol Hill, working to ensure that policymakers from different perspectives understand how banks of all sizes create economic opportunity for communities across the nation. The EVP must have deep and broad policy subject-matter expertise; strong relationships with members of Congress and staff; an established, bipartisan reputation for honesty, integrity, and collaboration; be able to establish trust with ABA members and state association executives; and have proven leadership skills to inspire and manage a team whose success depends on collaboration, accuracy, and responsiveness.

The EVP leads a bipartisan team of advocates who help members of Congress and their staff understand how legislative and policy proposals will impact banks in their communities.

The EVP provides strategic direction for policy development and the formation of legislative proposals and strategies, in close coordination with subject-matter experts from across the ABA and the Office of Strategic Engagement (OSE).  The position is focused on developing, advocating and advancing legislation through Congress as well as defending against proposals that will impede the industry’s ability to create economic opportunity. The position is also responsible for coordinating legislative grassroots initiatives with OSE and developing political action committee budgets and strategy.

The EVP also serves as the ABA’s chief legislative spokesperson, including interaction with media, public speaking, congressional briefings, banker briefings, and other venues.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a direct working relationship with Congress, including members of Congress and congressional staff
• Lead a bipartisan team of lobbyists to ensure strong bipartisan coverage of Capitol Hill offices, fostering a highly collaborative and professional environment
• Establish and execute a Congressional relationship management strategy for senior ABA and member executives
• Develop, advance, and advocate key legislative priorities through a variety of methods, including direct advocacy; collaboration with other financial services stakeholders, including both industry and community groups; and grassroots campaigns
• Serve as congressional/policy spokesperson/expert at internal meetings (Washington visits, conference calls, webinars) and external events (ABA and state association conferences and conventions, committee meetings, and schools) and with the media
• Create and foster relationships with state bankers associations and member banks to help advance legislative priorities
• Help to coordinate data-driven analysis of legislative proposals for internal and external audiences
• Coordinate drafting of statements for the record, legislative support letters, oral and written congressional testimony and prepare bank witnesses for congressional testimony
• Manage and grow BankPAC strategically. Establish fundraising budgets for members of the House and Senate, and host and attend congressional fundraising events
• Provide management oversight of the Health Savings Account coalition team
• Other duties assigned by business need

Key Requirements:

• 15+ years of congressional experience with a focus on the banking industry; experience operating in a high-profile role with an established reputation across parties for honesty, integrity, and inclusion
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree
• Experience working within the private sector, including a trade association or financial institution
• Must be comfortable working in a bipartisan environment with the ability to communicate with policymakers and other stakeholders from a wide range of perspectives
• Direct experience working on Capitol Hill, ideally both in a personal office and committee and/or in the Executive Branch with extensive knowledge of the trade association environment, banking preferred
• 10+ years of management experience; experience leading a senior team of five or more preferred
• Ability to operate within a demanding environment and manage a diverse portfolio of issues
• Must have strong speaking and writing skills with the ability to articulate complex issues to audiences from a range of perspectives
• Ability to travel (20-50%)

Salary Band Range:

American Bankers Association (ABA) is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected Veteran status, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibilities, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.