Summary of Responsibilities:

Based in Orlando, Florida, the Manager of Public Affairs is responsible for supporting the Director of Public Affairs in all aspects of IAAPA North America’s public affairs program of work in the United States of America and Canada, with emphasis on U.S. state level engagement and digital grassroots campaigns.

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to, monitoring and reporting on state, provincial, and federal government legislative and regulatory proposals; drafting and sending regular updates and analysis to members; developing and executing effective digital grassroots campaigns that will grow and maintain a strong network of activist IAAPA members and further advance the organization’s public affairs objectives; engaging with the appropriate state and local elected and appointed legislative, executive, and regulatory officials; and assisting with the administration of IAAPA’s annual Advocacy Day and IAAPA PAC.

Travel obligations will be approximately 10% - 20%.

Qualification, Knowledge, and Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in political science, public policy, communications related field, or equivalent.
• 7 to 10 years of applicable public affairs, grassroots, and membership organization experience
• Working knowledge of legislative process, grassroots engagement, and current digital advocacy strategies and digital platform(s)
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, assume project responsibility, meet deadlines, negotiate conflicts, and prioritize work under pressure. Must have flexibility and stress tolerance.
• Possess excellent organizational, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills, including public presentation skills
• Passionate about advocating on behalf of pro-business interests- travel and tourism industry a plus

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Develop an understanding of, and be conversant with, executive, legislative, and regulatory issues and trends impacting the attractions industry

• Lead the daily tracking and monitoring of legislative and regulatory proposals impacting members and communicate that information on a regular basis through various internal distribution channels
• Field questions, conduct research, and answer questions for member companies and internal leadership
• Develop, coordinate, and execute grassroots campaigns that will grow and maintain a strong network of activist IAAPA members and further advance the organization’s public affairs objectives, particularly in priority legislative jurisdictions
• Stay abreast of best practices and trends in grassroots advocacy
• Engage with the appropriate elected and appointed legislative, executive, and regulatory officials
• Hire and manage external vendors in key state and local jurisdictions as appropriate (e.g., lobbyist, lawyer, campaign management, etc.)
• Draft position papers and testimonies as appropriate
• Serve as an intermediary between IAAPA, its state and regional attractions association partners, and other related local, state, and national organizations
• Represent the association at various public and private conferences
• Assist with the administration of the association’s PAC and annual D.C. Public Affairs Conference
• Provide content for the Public Affairs Update, IAAPA News Flash, and Funworld (IAAPA’s quarterly magazine)
• Manage the IAAPA North America public affair’s section of the IAAPA.org website working in conjunction with our communications team
• Must communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; work outcomes must meet and/or exceed productivity and quality standards.

ADA Specifications:

This position is primarily sedentary with the potential of 10%-20% travel to meetings and events in the jurisdictions described above. The position may also require some bending and lifting.