Chief Government & Political Affairs Officer

About the position The Chief Government & Political Affairs Officer leads IRI’s federal legislative affairs, advocacy, and political programs, including development of the annual Federal Retirement Security Blueprint and execution of strategic advocacy initiatives. The role requires proven ability to navigate complex political environments and build bipartisan support to advance IRI’s retirement security priorities, serving as IRI’s senior federal legislative representative and policy voice. Builds and manages relationships with Congress and key stakeholders and serves as an IRI spokesperson as coordinated with the Chief Strategic Communications Officer.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and rollout of IRI’s annual Federal Retirement Security Blueprint, including member input, consensus building, committee/board approvals, publication, and launch.
• Set and execute advocacy strategies aligned with IRI priorities and the Blueprint’s policy pillars.
• Identify and prioritize federal legislative opportunities affecting retirement security, labor and employment, insurance, securities, tax, and financial services.
• Monitor the political environment and adjust strategy as needed.
• Serve as a registered federal lobbyist and lead engagement with members of Congress, congressional staff, and executive-branch officials on relevant federal legislative matters.
• Manage external federal government affairs consultants retained by IRI.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers to position IRI as a trusted policy resource.
• Design and execute advocacy campaigns, including direct congressional engagement, board fly-ins and grassroots mobilization, and coalition building with member companies and partner organizations.
• Coordinate with the Chief Strategic Communications Officer on media engagement as a subject matter expert.
• Represent IRI at conferences, webinars, briefings, and events to advance advocacy objectives.
• Build consensus across diverse member perspectives to establish IRI policy positions on federal legislation.
• Oversee Government Affairs Committee operations, including agendas, issue prioritization, and policy development.
• Serve as co-staff liaison with the Chief Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officer for the Advocacy Steering Committee and Board Advocacy Council.
• Provide strategic guidance to member-company government affairs teams to support coordinated advocacy.
• Create opportunities to position IRI as a thought leader on federal retirement security policy.
• Partner with the Chief Strategic Communications Officer to develop and execute media strategies that advance policy objectives.
• Oversee policy communications to ensure consistent messaging across advocacy and member channels (e.g., legislative analysis, testimony and letters, briefing materials, talking points, and member/media communications).
• Strengthen IRI’s visibility by organizing or representing IRI at strategic events, panels, and policy forums.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of Government & Political Affairs, including the weekly Government Affairs Update and timely communications to Capitol Hill and IRI members.
• Coordinate with Legal & Regulatory Affairs to align federal legislative advocacy and compliance.
• Plan and execute advocacy events (e.g., Capitol Hill briefings, fly-ins, and conference panels).
• Develop and manage the department budget, including invoice review and approval.
• Oversee the Champion of Retirement Security Award, including nominations, selection, production, and event execution.
• Ensure timely and accurate LDA/LD-203 reporting and maintain internal systems to track lobbying activity and expenses, supported by outside compliance consultants as needed.
• Serve as Treasurer of IRI PAC, responsible for fundraising strategy, contribution allocation and disbursement, governance, reporting, and financial tracking.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Board PAC Advisory Working Group.
• Maintain systems to track PAC contributions and expenses and ensure compliance with FEC, LDA, and HLOGA requirements, supported by outside compliance consultants as needed.
• Lead PAC engagement, including organizing, attending, and fundraising for PAC events with member-company PACs and partner associations.
• Lead and develop the Government & Political Affairs team, including hiring, performance management, and professional development.
• Serve on IRI’s Senior Leadership Team to advance a collaborative, high-performing organization aligned with IRI’s mission and goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 10+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy or advocacy.
• Experience in retirement security, tax, insurance, labor and employment, securities, or financial services policy preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Advanced degree (Master’s or J.D.) preferred.
• Significant association government affairs experience and/or senior policy experience in one or more of the following: Congressional office (e.g., Chief of Staff, Senior Policy Advisor, Counsel); Federal executive branch (e.g., Congressional Affairs or policy office); Trade association or private-sector government affairs, including experience representing a member company of an industry association.
• Deep knowledge of the federal legislative process.
• Strong bipartisan relationships and an established network to gather intelligence, build coalitions, and advance policy objectives.
• Ability to quickly synthesize complex issues and lead advocacy, grassroots, legislative, and communications strategies.
• Proven credibility as an advocate, lobbyist, and communicator with policymakers and industry leaders.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, negotiation, communication, and consensus-building skills.
• Professional spokesperson presence and high integrity.

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