Senior Vice President, Legislative Affairs

THE POSITION

CBIA’s Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs provides the overall advocacy leadership for the Association. The position oversees the Association’s legislative affairs program, manages all in-house advocates (three direct reports : VP of Legislative Affairs, Sr.

Director of Codes and Utilities, and a Legislative Assistant, and mutual oversight of the General Counsel’s lobbying efforts), oversees $800,000 of outside contracts, and represents the Association before the State Legislature and Governor’s Office.

The SVP of Legislative Affairs works with the SVP of Political Affairs and Communications and has influence over the $500,000 PAC.

There is also a suite at Golden One for political events (one-half use) and a $2-3 million dollar IE budget.

The essential duties and responsibilities include :

• Integrity-based leading voice for housing advocacy in the California Legislature and Governor’s Office.
• Registered lobbyist overseeing team of lobbyists both internal and contract.
• Develop new relationships with all new legislators. Foster and maintain existing relationships with state legislators and staff, Governor’s office, and staff in numerous state agencies.
• Monitor and recommend positions on bills on all aspects of home building and land development.
• Draft legislative position letters, oversee advocacy efforts related to positions taken by the organization, and testify in committee on bills.
• Sponsor legislation and negotiate bills of importance to the building industry, defeating misguided legislation and securing amendments to address industry concerns.
• Leading member of multiple broad-based, cross-sector coalitions related to business, the economy, the environment, transportation, natural resources, energy, and housing.
• Primary staff member responsible for CBIA Government Affairs Committee consisting of 100 members.
• Oversee the development of all extensive reports on status of legislation, coordinate legislative efforts with member companies and regional BIAs for state issues.
• Provide legislative leadership to CBIA Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
• Coordinate closely with Senior Vice President of Political Affairs and Communications regarding political contributions.
• Regularly communicates and engages with the CEO on all major public policy strategies and development of key legislative positions.
• Leads weekly meetings for internal legislative staff as well as government affairs contract lobbyists.
• Attend political fundraisers and other political and public policy events.
• Provide direction, advice, and substance to CBIA’s communications efforts.
• Other duties as assigned by the CEO.

This is an outstanding opportunity to assume a leadership position in an influential, statewide, 81-year-old trade organization, representing an industry that plays a significant role in California’s economy.

CBIA takes pride in advocating on behalf of people who need housing, of all types, and those who provide housing.

CBIA is committed to providing Housing for All and being advocates for the most cost effective, environmentally friendly housing production techniques while still building attainable housing for middle class Californians.

CBIA leads the state, the nation, and the world in these key policy areas and has fun doing it. This position will lead that effort.

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FIRST YEAR

Within the first 30 days

• Will have met with all staff, key board members, CBIA Government Affairs Committee, external contract lobbyists, and key stakeholders in the Governor’s Office and with Housing for All.
• Will have begun a process to learn about the industry, the association, and its processes, current legislation, and regulatory matters.

Within the first 60 days

In collaboration with the CEO and the entire advocacy team (both internal and external), in alignment with the CBIA strategy, will have developed an action plan to further the association’s legislative and regulatory agenda, to include developing coalitions and engaging the CBIA membership.

By the end of the first year

Will be seen as an effective consensus-builder and leader of people; an honest broker who is the integrity-based, leading voice for housing advocacy in the California Legislature and Governor’s Office.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (in priority order)

• Ten+ years of legislative, advocacy, or government affairs experience (to include upstream and adjacent industries)
• Able to manage an internal advocacy as well as an external lobbying team, clearly providing direction, leadership and support.
• Current relationships with California statewide officials and staff, labor organizations, and lobbyists
• Proven success in creating and supporting legislation and regulations, as well as defeating such
• Experience in a membership-based trade organization, with strong coalition-building
• Experience developing and analyzing policy and advocating for it
• Knowledge in any of the following areas is desirable :
• Housing
• Land use
• Local government planning (General Plan, Housing Element, Zoning)
• Water
• Transportation
• Environmental law
• Species
• Labor
• Construction / engineering

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES (in priority order)

• High integrity
• Proven advocate
• Politically savvy
• Exceptional communicator
• A quick study
• Respected throughout the Capitol
• A high need for closure and completing complex tasks

EDUCATION / CREDENTIALS

• Undergraduate degree in political science, public administration, or related field
• Registered as a California lobbyist or the ability to do so
• Advanced degree in public policy or law is a plus

CULTURE (in priority order)

• Team player
• Passionate about the value of homeownership
• In service to the membership
• Laser-focused on results
• Professional
• Collaborative externally

COMPENSATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS

The compensation package includes a base salary of $225,000-$300,000, depending upon experience, plus excellent benefits.

Pre-screened, selected candidates will be invited to interview in Sacramento, CA with the CEO on September 4, 2024, with second interviews the following morning with the CEO, followed by senior staff, and then key members of the board.

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY

For confidential consideration, at your earliest convenience and no later than July 31, 2024, please email your chronological resume (to include description and size of current / prior organizations and responsibilities) and compensation expectations to :

CBIA-SVP@wilcoxcareer.com