Cenikor's Value Proposition - What's In It for You?
Cenikor Foundation is a non-profit organization and one of the largest substance use treatment centers in the nation. We are currently seeking a Legislative Affairs Manager in our corporate office located in Houston, TX.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Legislative Affairs and Government Relations
1. In collaboration with Senior Director of Advancement and other Cenikor executives, develops and manage
Cenikor strategy for strengthening relationships with elected officials and government agenciesand increasing
their understanding of and support for Cenikor.
2. Works with the Cenikor leadership to identify priority legislative and government relationsissues potentially
impacting Cenikor, and crafts Cenikor position and response thereto.
3. Communicates and advocates Cenikor priorities to local, regional, state, and nationalelected officials and staff.
4. Organizes and collaborates with community supporters and partners to lobby around specific legislation,
including political action committees, with approval from Cenikor Executive Staff.
5. Monitors legislation and policy activities, updates, and advises Cenikor leadership aboutrelevant policy
proposals and actions, and works with Cenikor executives to analyze potential impacts on the Cenikor.
Communicates with the Cenikor community to inform them of relevant government issues.
6. Coordinates government relations strategy with other relevant stakeholders, including Cenikor executives and
Foundation Board members, state and national associations, student organizations, employee unions, and
government relations staff from other agencies. Engages constituentsinside and outside the Cenikor in support
of the Cenikor's government relations agenda.
7. Develops a wide range of materials in support of the Cenikor's government relations agenda,such as talking
points, legislative summaries, factsheets, testimony, reports, and letters. Works with Cenikor Marketing and
Advancement teams to develop relevant public relations materials and MarCom materials.
8. Plans and implements events and other activities to support the Cenikor's government relations goals, such as
town halls, news conferences, and meetings. Collaborates with external Cenikor lobbyists to execute lobbying
events in accordance with campaign plans as necessary to further advance Cenikor legislative goals.
9. Work with Grants Specialist in identifying potential opportunities and relationships that could impact
government grant funding for the Foundation.
10. Provides technical assistance to Cenikor executives and staff on government relationsissues.
11. Responds to inquiries from community members and other interested parties; when needed,recruits a
knowledgeable spokesperson or information source to assist.
12. Ensure completion of Big 5 performance management tool by the required deadline and use of SMART goals
to support annual performance compensation review.
13. Uphold the core principles of Cenikor's culture and create a positive working environmentfor all team
members.
14. Perform all additional duties as assigned and consistent with the exempt functions as assignedin this job
description.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION:
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
? Local, state, and federal legislative and executive processes.
? Project management and planning principles and practices.
? Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office required.
Demonstrated Skills or Abilities in:
? Writing compelling articles, persuasive proposals, legislative summaries, and speeches/ executive talking
points.
? Strong attention to detail, editing skills and ability to summarize details for executive and board reports.
? Developing and maintaining relationships with public officials, consultantfirms, and their respective
staffs.
? Communicating clearly and effectively with all levels of management, boards of directors, and staff as well
as external individuals and groups.
? Analyzing and interpreting legislation and policy documents.
? Legislative advocacy, negotiation, and persuasion.
? Communicating complex concepts through oral and written mediums, including proven skill in preparing
a variety of written communications such as reports, testimony, and factsheets.
? Planning and organization of multiple simultaneous projects to ensure all projects progress ona timely and
cost-efficient manner.
? Working independently, as well as with teams, including the proven ability to collaborate and build
consensus with people from diverse academic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
? Ability to consistently uphold the Core Principles of Cenikor's Culture:
o Demonstrate mission of service to our clients
o Positive, respectful communication with both staff and clients
o Demonstrate self-motivation and perseverance to achieve goals
o Role model appropriate, professional behaviors including appropriate client boundaries
o Work effectively as part of a team, helping to set up others forsuccess
Education:
? Bachelor's degree in political science, public affairs, communications, or related field required.
Experience:
? Minimum 2 years of government relations / legislative affairs or public affairs required.
? Experience with non-profit, substance use disorder, healthcare, mental health, or education is preferred.
Physical Requirements:
? Sitting in a normal position for extended periods of time.
? Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
? Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with the entire hand(s) or arm(s)
(for example, using a keyboard).
? Communication skills using the spoken and written word.
? Ability to see within normal parameters.
? Ability to hear within normal range.
? Ability to move about.
? Ability to travel throughout geographic region by various transportation means approximately20% of the time.