Head of Government Affairs

Location:  Washington, DC, USA or Brussels, Belgium

Salary US:  Range of $180,000 - $205,000 dependent on experience.

Salary Europe:  Range of €150,000 - €170,000 dependent on experience.

Who we are

The Commission on the Future of Mobility is a coalition of visionary leaders working to establish policies to enable a global transportation ecosystem that prioritizes people and the environment, equity and productivity. Its purpose is to help inform and implement policy changes throughout the world to optimize the movement of people and goods, making it safer, more convenient, environmentally sustainable, and accessible to all.

As a project of SAFE – Securing America’s Future Energy, the Commission will tackle the opportunities and challenges driven by the global transition to connected, autonomous, electric, and shared transportation technologies. These rapid technological developments have broad effects on traditional business models, emissions, and safety. Founded in research and advocacy, the Commission will provide data-driven recommendations to influence public policy through a series of research reports, demonstrations, and global advocacy across North America, Asia, and Europe.

How We Do Business  Along with our members, at our core we live these values:

• Be Bold. We act with courage to deliver bold outcomes and perspectives in all we do, holding ourselves and each other accountable for results.
• Be Open. We seek to see things through a different lens. Our work is guided and informed by our diverse perspectives, experiences and world views and our commitment to inclusiveness.
• Be Efficient. We work with a sense of urgency and practice ruthless prioritization to achieve our shared goals.
• Be Present. We show up curious and seek to understand with consideration and generosity towards others and their time.
• Be Passionate. We use our drive to energize, engage and inspire others.
• Be Admirable. We operate with transparency by communicating with unwavering candor, respect, and kindness.

 

What We Seek

The Commission on the Future of Mobility seeks an enthusiastic, strategic, high-performing, mission-driven and experienced Head of Global Government Affairs who will thrive in a fast-paced, startup work environment. This position will have a broad range of responsibilities and work with the CFM leadership team to establish the legislative and regulatory strategy around each of the policy research focus areas and actively communicate the value of the Commission to government officials in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, E.U member states and the UK, and APAC government bodies, namely Japan and India.  

The Head of Global Government Affairs will assist the CFM executive team to identify timely legislative and regulatory movement and actions to incorporate into the broader policy research and strategic communications plans.  This person will establish CFM’s government affairs policy priorities for each policy focus area, as relevant in legislative agendas; execution may also involve hiring and directing outside consultants, and developing a small internal team, as necessary.  You will also have to liaise with city departments of transportation, public transit agencies, and other government bodies as you identify strategies for on-the-ground implementation.

The Head of Global Government Affairs will also develop and maintain key relationships with government officials, their staff, as well as with government affairs leads at CFM Commissioner companies, leading trade associations and other relevant third-party organizations.

Key Responsibilities Short Term – First 8 Months

• Maintain fluency on all legislative, regulatory policy issues impacting mobility, transportation, and electrification including supply chains.
• Coordinate with policy and strategic communications team to provide insight on current policy issues, and assess key legislative, policy, and regulatory risks and opportunities.
• Manage a workgroup of government affairs contacts from Commissioner member companies and organizations to share timely information and interpret actions of government bodies.
• Support translation of Government Affairs strategy for each CFM focus area to support foundation fundraising.
• Monitor developments and provide weekly memos for the Executive Director of SAFE Commanding Heights on:
  • Policymaker actions and thinking abroad on localizing electric vehicle supply chains.
  • Use of blockchain and other transparency and certification efforts aimed at showing the origin and ethical background of EV and green materials and components.

Long Term – 8 Months and beyond

• Establish CFM's government affairs team by implementing a global government relations strategic plan for legislative and regulatory issues at the National, State, and local levels and hiring to meet those goals consistent with the approved budget.
• Serve as an effective advocate for CFM on key policy and political matters and craft positions for CFM that will establish it publicly as a thought leader in the mobility sector.
• Develop public affairs strategies and campaigns, in coordination with strategic communications, for engaging government officials, legislative staff, policy groups, regulators, consumer groups, business partners, and industry associations.
• Monitor and anticipate, legislative and regulatory policy activities to develop recommendations and prepare communications for the executive team and CFM Commissioners to strategically shape CFM’s positions, advocacy, and response.
• Build and maintain effective bipartisan relationships with key elected officials, legislative staff, regulators, and policy groups to increase CFM’s visibility, presence, and influence in government.
• Evaluate and manage CFM's involvement with external consultants and other third-party advocates.
• Represent CFM in relevant legislative and regulatory hearings, meetings, and conferences.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience with government affairs, public policy, or government relations in both the public and private sector (mobility, transportation and/or technology sector strongly preferred).
• Experience developing and implementing a government affairs program, and persuasively communicating and advocating for organization positions and policies through the legislative process.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with government officials and legislators, including advocating before relevant rule making bodies, on behalf of public interest, trades associations, or any other interest groups.
• Has developed and maintained an extensive network of government, policy, and regulatory contacts across our geographic scope.
• Is comfortable working independently and has a “roll up your sleeves” attitude to getting things done.
• A comprehensive understanding of the operation of and policymaking process across the global regions identified.
• A bias towards execution and a strong mission-driven ethos.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, multi-task in a fast-paced environment, adjust to rapidly changing priorities and drive strategic projects to successful delivery.
• Ability to distill complex ideas into simple and easily understandable concepts, and communicate these ideas clearly, accurately, and persuasively in verbal and written form to internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven track record of effectively working cross-functionally and cross-culturally with partners at all levels.
• Excellent ability to collaborate with, motivate and engage others.
• Extraordinary analytical ability and advocacy skills, and effective verbal and written communication skills.

How to apply

To apply for the post, please send a letter of application stating the skills and approach you would bring to the role, along with your CV/resume in English, to Zoe Oldham at zoeoldham@darylupsall.com

Please ensure that documents are sent with the titles “your name cover letter” and “your name CV” and state "CFM – Head of Government Affairs” in the email subject line. Please let us know, in your covering email, where you found out about the post.

The deadline for application is Sunday September 5th, 2021

Daryl Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.