Director - Legislative Affairs (CMO - Non-Civil Service)

Welcome to the City of Dallas!

The City of Dallas is one of the largest employers in the DFW Metroplex.

We offer growth opportunities and a chance to make a difference in our community.

What do we offer?

A competitive salary, five-year vested pension plan, great benefits package that includes health, vision and dental insurance, pet insurance, tuition reimbursement, qualifying childcare assistance, paid time off and more.

Join our diverse workforce and help us in providing excellent service to the residents of Dallas while building a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Director-Government Affairs oversees the City’s state and federal legislative efforts and manages stakeholder engagement and outreach for the City Manager and Mayor and City Council.

Job Description
 

Overview

The Director-Government Affairs directs the City’s state and federal legislative efforts, international affairs and strategic partnerships and manages stakeholder engagement and outreach for the City Manager and Mayor and City Council.

Essential Functions

1 Leverage pre-existing network and the Government Relations team’s influencer network to advocate for positions on critical issues such as federal infrastructure investment and in areas such as transportation, energy, environmental, and national security as needed.

2 Strengthen relationships with senior executive branch officials and with key Members, Staff, and Committees in Austin and on Capitol Hill, and international dignitaries, especially those responsible for critical city issues.

3 Directs, oversees, and monitors legal and legislative activities of the City of Dallas; delegates authority and responsibility for assigned tasks to subordinates; identifies needed areas of change or development and institutes changes to improve operations; plans, implements, coordinates, monitors compliance, and evaluates policies and procedures; monitors state and federal government activities.

4 Manages the City’s federal consultants and coordinates legislative activities with other public and private sector entities.

5 Oversees and maintains a network of policy holders and stakeholders and solicits feedback regarding relevant citywide policy initiatives.

6 Directs work with foreign counterparts, peer departments and external stakeholders to coordinate and achieve a cohesive international affairs strategy and support the work of the Dallas International District.

7 Attends City Council and legislative hearings and takes necessary action regarding decisions or inquiries made at such hearings.

8 Identifies, determines, and responds to legislative and City Council issues, concerns, and needs; coaches, preps, and advises city staff to identify and respond to issues when necessary.

9 Oversees, coordinates, and preforms special research requests; develops status reporting and presentations for the City Manager's Office and Council Committees

10 Directs, oversees, and leads strategic long-range plans, programs, and schedules to provide effective customer services; identifies goals and determines objectives needing emphasis and directs and coordinates effective implementation; manages department work priorities, resources, and assigns work to address City requirements and needs.

11 Develops budget and determines expenses; directs budget allocation, employee assignments, objectives and performance of subordinate managers and supervisors; directs managerial staff to ensure productivity, hiring, and quality staff management.

12 Establishes and implements overall Department work plan; directs and manages outreach, equity evaluation, scheduling, and media or social media support.

13 Represents the City of Dallas at agency, stakeholder and elected official meetings.

14 Performs all other work as needed or assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

1 Working knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, statutes and regulations

2 Knowledge of funding sources available to local governments through the Federal and State governments, private sectors, and foundations

3 Ability to perform extensive research relating to grant funds and legislative issues.

4 Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of established goals.

5 Ability to identify and respond to community and City Council issues, concerns and needs.

6 Knowledge of City policies and procedures related to financial management.

7 Ability to manage staff and subordinate supervisors to ensure effective services.

8 Ability to analyze policies or pending bills at the state or federal level to determine how they affect City priorities,

9 Ability to maintain connections within other City departments and external funding agencies.

10 Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

11 Ability to consider complex problems, translate insight and gained knowledge from internal and external sources into powerful insights, and distill into easily digestible language for the team; ability to research and prepare white papers on a range of topics.

12 Ability to manage, direct, and lead subordinate staff and resolve challenging issues.

13 Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

14 Proven ability to work cross functionally and interact at all levels of the business from Executive level down.

15 Excellent written, oral and presentation communication skills.

16 Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a strong level of initiative and assertiveness.

17 Innovative thinking: ability to identify improvement opportunities, challenge status quo and drive changes as required.  

18 Ability to drive strategic process and innovation excellence.

Experience

A minimum of 10 years in government affairs, local government, public policy, communications, public administration, or related field.

Licenses and Certifications

None

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Public or Business Administration or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Salary Range

 

$132,147.71 - $165,184.64

 

The salary listed on this job posting is the starting salary range; amount offered will depend upon qualifications.

City of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.