Sr Executive Vice President, Public Affairs

Sr Executive Vice President, Public Affairs - Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)

RILA's Sr EVP, Public Affairs position provides the unique opportunity to work closely with America’s leading retailers and most recognizable consumer brands operating in the United States and oversee a terrific team of government relations professionals with a proven record of success. The ideal candidate will bring substantial policy management experience, along with leadership and executive presence, and a genuine interest in personal growth and building partnerships with expected and unexpected allies.

President & CEO, RILA

SVP, Government Affairs;
Government Affairs Department

RILA Board of Directors;
Public Policy Steering Committee;
Senior Member Company Executives;
Member Internal Subject Matter Experts; RILA Senior Staff

Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is the U.S. trade association for leading retailers. Through collaboration and thought leadership, RILA convenes top retail executives to network, share best practices, advance ideas, and act to affect change.

RILA values a work environment where employees can thrive. We rely on teamwork, respect, trust, flexibility, and commitment to serve the interests of our members and our teammates.

• Serve our Members
• Drive Change
• Embody Integrity

• Lead the Government Affairs team to develop, identify, and advocate on public policy issues at the federal level, including Congress, White House and regulatory agencies, to meet RILA member needs including mitigating risks and maximizing opportunities for growth and profitability.
• Analyze and interpret government actions for executive leaders inside and outside of D.C.
• Build, enhance and protect the reputation of the retail industry and communicate with clarity and precision to government stakeholders
• Supervise the SVP and VPs on the Government Affairs team, and assist in hiring staff at all levels as needed.
• Become viewed as an expert resource, trusted advisor and leader on all public policy issues that are part of RILA’s Public Policy Agenda, and determine strategic solutions, in coordination with SVP and VPs, on those issues.
• Manage the Public Policy Steering Committee.
• Support the management of outside consultants and resources to meet policy objectives.
• Ensure organization’s compliance with all lobbying and political action committee laws and reporting requirements.
• Develop deep trust-based relationships with key member company government affairs executives in order to understand their individual needs, expectations and the full spectrum of internal priorities of the company they represent.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with government affairs community, policy makers and staff to increase RILA’s influence and advocacy.
• Work cooperatively with RILA senior team to identify potential new members for recruitment and assist in the proactive retention of the current membership.
• Provide updates to RILA’s Board of Directors on key policy issues and directly support RILA’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
• Help guide and counsel member companies in navigating an increasingly dynamic and complex political and geopolitical environment.

• 15+ years of service in public affairs leadership roles in a government, corporate or trade association setting(s) with direct lobbying, communications and issues management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-performing government affairs teams of both internal and external participants.
• Demonstrated facility convening and communicating with high level corporate executives.
• Track record of strategic and innovative thinking to advance organizational and/or industry goals in a bipartisan/nonpartisan manner.
• Experience working for or with retail or consumer-focused businesses.

• Demonstrated experience evaluating policy impacts, risks and opportunities and developing and executing plans to achieve macro goals.
• Possesses a deep understanding of public policy and the full range of tactics employed to drive favorable…