Career Opportunities

Reports to: President & CEO
Job type: Full-time, salary plus full benefits

Director of Government Affairs leads federal, state, and local advocacy efforts on behalf of the Colorado Restaurant Association membership and Board of Directors. The role establishes and maintains relationships with regulatory agencies, municipal partners, and state and local elected officials to promote the public policy goals directly related to laws that impact the restaurant industry. This role must also solicit, prepare, research, and propose legislation and regulatory changes that advance the restaurant industry and identify affected interests while working toward the goal of year-round advocacy and member support.

This position manages an additional government affairs team member.

Functions and Responsibilities include:

Primary Duties:

• Responsible for leading and overseeing the Association’s legislative lobbying and regulatory efforts at the federal, state, and local level
• Oversees the Association’s proactive development of and response to legislation, regulations, and/or policy changes that impact the industry
• Research and monitor proposed or existing laws or regulations at the federal, state, and local levels
• Develop the political strategy for influencing state and local elected officials and regulators
• Coordinate and manage the state and local lobbyists and lobbying firms’ activities
• Establish and maintain contact and interaction with elected officials, legislative committees, regulators, and various intergovernmental associations; participate in and/or serve on stakeholder groups
• Communicate the outcome of legislative and regulatory activities to the President & CEO
• Work with the Communication Department and other department staff to develop CRA member communications with legislative updates
• Represent the CRA at meetings
• Testify before the Colorado Legislature, rule-making hearings, and municipal government hearings
• Coordinate grassroots efforts by selecting CRA members for legislative testimony, prepping them, and ushering them through the process
• Actively receive, research, and respond to legal and legislative compliance questions from members, coalition partners, and the media
• Work with the President & CEO and other departments to develop and implement the goal of year-round advocacy
• Actively update the President & CEO on new and important developments as they arise

Other Duties:

• Other duties as assigned by President & CEO

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or related degree
• Experience leading a Government Affairs program and managing GA staff and lobbying team required
• Thorough understanding of the food and beverage industry a plus
• Ability to develop and oversee completion of an annual and long-term Government Affairs Strategy
• Ability to manage multiple high-level programs and projects
• Ability to understand complex legal issues and legislation
• Strong analytical skills, interpretation, and the ability to produce quality research
• Ability to work independently
• Understanding of the legislative process at the state, county, and local levels
• Effective listening, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to speak in a confident and professional manner to large groups and testify at
  hearings
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact, diplomacy, and proper etiquette
• Maintain a professional demeanor in all interactions. Abide by ethical standards and regulations for Colorado lobbyists

Salary: $80,000 – $95,000 depending on experience plus potential for annual bonus

Benefits: Health, dental, AD&D and life insurance, 401k benefits, free parking, paid holiday, sick and vacation time as consistent with other staff members.

To Apply: Send cover letter, resume, salary requirements to jobs@corestaurant.org

Reports to: President & CEO
Job type: Full-time, salary plus full benefits

The Manager of Government Affairs works alongside the President & CEO and a second Government Affairs Manager to lead the federal, state, and local advocacy efforts on behalf of the Colorado Restaurant Association membership and Board of Directors. The role establishes and maintains relationships with regulatory agencies, municipal partners, and state and local elected officials to promote the public policy goals directly related to laws that impact the restaurant industry. This role must also solicit, prepare, research, and propose legislation and regulatory changes that advance the restaurant industry and identify affected interests while working toward the goal of year-round advocacy and member support.

Functions and Responsibilities include:

Functions and Responsibilities include:

Primary Duties:

• Responsible for leading and overseeing the Association’s legislative lobbying and regulatory efforts at the federal, state, and local level
• Managess the Association’s proactive development of and response to legislation, regulations, and/or policy changes that impact the industry
• Research and monitor proposed or existing laws or regulations at the federal, state, and local levels
• Develop the political strategy for influencing state and local elected officials and regulators
• Coordinate and manage the state and local lobbyists and lobbying firms’ activities
• Establish and maintain contact and interaction with elected officials, legislative committees, regulators, and various intergovernmental associations; participate in and/or serve on stakeholder groups
• Communicate the outcome of legislative and regulatory activities to the President & CEO
• Work with the Communication Department and other department staff to develop CRA member communications with legislative updates
• Represent the CRA at meetings
• Testify before the Colorado Legislature, rule-making hearings, and municipal government hearings
• Coordinate grassroots efforts by selecting CRA members for legislative testimony, prepping them, and ushering them through the process
• Actively receive, research, and respond to legal and legislative compliance questions from members, coalition partners, and the media
• Work with the President & CEO and other departments to develop and implement the goal of year-round advocacy
• Actively update the President & CEO on new and important developments as they arise

Other Duties:

• Other duties as assigned by President & CEO

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or related degree
• Thorough understanding of the food and beverage industry a plus
• Ability to manage multiple high-level programs and projects
• Ability to understand complex legal issues and legislation
• Strong analytical skills, interpretation, and the ability to produce quality research
• Ability to work independently
• Understanding of the legislative process at the state, county, and local levels
• Effective listening, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to speak in a confident and professional manner to large groups and testify at hearings
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact, diplomacy, and proper etiquette
• Maintain a professional demeanor in all interactions. Abide by ethical standards and regulations for Colorado lobbyists

Salary: $70,000 – $80,000 depending on experience plus potential for annual bonus

Benefits: Health, dental, AD&D and life insurance, 401k benefits, free parking, paid holiday, sick and vacation time as consistent with other staff members.

To Apply: Send cover letter, resume, salary requirements to jobs@corestaurant.org