Senior Vice President Government Affairs

RCRC is seeking an experienced Senior Vice President of Government Affairs to lead advocacy on behalf of California’s rural counties. See recruitment brochure for more details here:

Salary Range

A reasonable annual salary estimate for this position is $294,000 - $394,000. The offered salary will ultimately be determined through mutual agreement based on the selected candidate’s overall career experience, skills, and abilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop policy and advocacy strategies with the Board of Directors and member counties, ensuring alignment with Board priorities and emerging rural issues.

• Lead government affairs and advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels to influence legislation, regulations and public policy

• Serve as a trusted advocate for rural counties , building relationships with policymakers, agencies, and key stakeholders.

• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and turn complex issues into actionable strategies.

• Lead and develop a high-performing team while overseeing department operations, managing work priorities, resources, and key initiatives.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Extensive knowledge of California government, legislative processes, regulatory processes, and public policy development including a strong understanding of the unique issues facing rural California counties.

• Experience in legislative advocacy, governmental affairs, lobbying, legislative analysis, or public policy development.

• Familiarity with federal government processes, federal advocacy, and national policy issues affecting local government.

• Experience working directly with governing boards, elected officials, county leadership, or local government organizations.

• Strong professional relationships within California government and familiarity with federal policymakers and stakeholders.

• Experience working in or on behalf of rural California counties, local government, or rural communities.

• Success managing and developing high-performing professional staff.

• Experience managing consultants, lobbyists, contracts, budgets, and organizational resources.

• Demonstrated ability to build consensus among individuals with diverse viewpoints, backgrounds, and interests.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, with emphasis in political science, public administration or other related program is ideal. A Master’s degree is highly regarded.

Minimum of 8 years of experience, including at least 3 years in a management role, with a California government agency, advocacy organization, or supporting organization dealing with general management and legislation is ideal. Experience must include senior level responsibility for managing staff, programs, and other resources or activities. Professional, community-based, or lived experience in rural California, including an understanding of the challenges facing rural communities, is highly desirable.

This ideal candidate will be an exceptional listener, communicator, and an accomplished presenter in a public forum with the ability to build strong relationships, engender trust, and, when needed, effectively drive change.

How to Apply

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter, resume with four professional references (including their contact information), and responses to the supplemental questions. References will not be contacted until the final stages of the recruitment process. Application materials should be submitted to ***email_hidden***.

RCRC will accept applications through July 31. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with first-round interviews anticipated to take place in mid-August.

See recruitment brochure for links to the full job description and supplemental questions, here:

Questions?:

Email Milena De Melo, RCRC's Finance Director, at: ***email_hidden***