The Bay Area Council is a business-sponsored, public policy and advocacy organization for the nine-county Bay Area. It is a nonprofit organization supported by more than 325 member companies representing the top employers in the Bay Area. The Council proactively advocates for a strong economy, a vital business environment, and a better quality of life for everyone who lives in the Bay Area.
In a recent anonymous employee survey, colleagues said they like working at the Council because of:
- “The people, love that we are a noble cause organization, am so proud of the work we do, love our members, our ability to help the region. I really like the BAC culture, friendliness, humor and fun in the workplace.”
- “Being allowed to bring who I am as a person to my role and performance as a BAC employee.”
- “Challenges, latitude to innovate, ability to manage my time and goals fairly independently, great friends and team members.”
- “Many really smart people to work around all willing to do whatever is necessary to get things done”
- “The BAC has an awesome mission, and an ability to rally together to achieve lofty goals. The staff feels like a family”
OUR MISSION
We engage business and civic-minded leaders to solve the most challenging regional issues to ensure the Bay Area is the most innovative, sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive place in the world.
Current Openings
Government Relations Director, Sacramento
The Government Relations Director – Sacramento is a member of the public policy team, responsible for managing and implementing independent projects – with an initial, immediate focus on our Business Climate Initiative – as well as supporting other team members on all aspects of their respective policy work that intersect with the State Legislature, the Governor’s Administration and state agencies. This person shapes and secures policy that affects millions of Bay Area and California residents. This person runs our Sacramento office and operations and reports to the SVP of Public Policy and Government Relations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Climate Initiative
- Work with the COO, the CEO, and various members of the policy team to execute the Sacramento-based aspects of our efforts to improve California’s business climate, including:
- Sharing data, reports and news with critical stakeholders on the issue
- Forming alliances with like-minded groups, and like-minded legislators and administration members
- Reactively testifying for or against policy proposals that directly affect the business climate
- Developing and executing a proactive policy plan to improve the business climate
- Working with the COO and the CEO, help manage any consultants hired to execute the initiative.
Policy Advocacy, Research and Analysis
- Work closely with legislators, members of the administration, their staff and other key stakeholders to ensure the Council is involved in the formation of state legislation and policies related to our policy priority areas; testify at key meetings and hearings; and coordinate with Council staff and members to give testimony or input throughout the legislative process.
- Communicate (in writing and orally) Bay Area Council positions effectively and convincingly to Bay Area Council members, prospective members, public officials and staff, advocacy organizations, opinion leaders, voters, and citizens at large.
- Assist the CEO, COO and policy team members in developing and maintaining expert, up-to-the-minute knowledge of the relevant policy and political issues and players, focusing on the state level.
- Track the status of state legislation and policies; research and analyze current and proposed legislation and policies to determine their potential impact on or integration with BAC goals and objectives; and help develop Council response.
- Coordinate with the Council’s communications team on topics related to state-level policy. Help prepare written reports, memos, letters, newsletters, emails, website content, op-ed pieces, speeches, and PowerPoint presentations.
Engagement
- Engage and involve Council members in developing and advocating Council positions on state level public policy issues; coordinate hearing testimony, meetings and events with key legislators and staff for members; and market the Council’s office space for member use.
- Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with key state-level stakeholders, including other business groups, public officials, legislative and agency staff, researchers, advocacy organizations, foundations, etc.
- Act as liaison between Council staff and key state-level staff, advocacy groups, and coalitions to increase staff awareness of issues as well as their involvement and presence in Sacramento.
- Plan informational forums, press conference and other events to engage key Sacramento stakeholders, and Bay Area Council members in our state-level work; schedule and coordinate leadership series events for Sacramento legislators to attend meetings with Council members in the Bay Area.
“Sacramento Day”
- Working with the policy team, communications and events team, and the membership team, serve as the lead organizer of the Bay Area Council’s annual “Sacramento Day:” securing meeting spaces; securing meetings with top legislators and Administration Officials, the Bay Area Caucus, and others; prepare briefing materials, and otherwise execute an exceptional engagement experience for our members.
“Bay Area Caucus”
- Working with the Policy Team, maintain a strong relationship with the Senate and Assembly Chairs of the Bay Area Caucus: helping with an annual fundraiser; providing briefings from Bay Area Council staff on the top issues of the day for our region; and other creative tactics to grow the engagement, influence and responsiveness of the Bay Area Caucus to concerns of the Bay Area and the Bay Area Council.
Office & Administrative Support
- Manage day-to-day Sacramento office responsibilities, including managing conference room schedules and greeting office guests.
- Coordinate with San Francisco-based administrative staff on ordering office supplies, resolving IT needs and any other office issues.
- For Sacramento meetings, events, and delegation trips, provide comprehensive administrative support, including recruiting speakers, arranging venues, setting dates, developing agendas and pre-reading materials, developing invitation lists, sending invitations, tracking RSVPs, arranging catering, A/V, hotel, transportation, staffing needs, name badges, registration and day-of-event staffing and support.
- Manage Sacramento intern program, including recruiting, interviewing, hiring and managing intern assignments.
- Other – Assist and support other Bay Area Council staff as necessary, to ensure overall organizational success of the Council.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS
Strong communicator ▪ Excellent writer ▪ Detail oriented planning and organization ▪ Team player ▪ Accountable ▪ Excellent research and analytical skills ▪ Ability to multitask and work under tight deadlines ▪ Self-starter ▪ Strong work ethic ▪ Proficient in Microsoft Office applications ▪ Fast learner ▪ Adept at professional social media use
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS
Two-year college degree; prefer college or graduate degree in relevant field (e.g. public policy, law, political science) and/or relevant work experience.
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this position is $85,000-100,000. Salary will be competitive based on the experience and skill levels of the successful applicant. The Bay Area Council also provides a generous benefits package, worth an additional 40-50% of pay, that includes: medical, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits; 401(k) deferred compensation program with generous employer matching; nine paid holidays per year; and paid time off accrual (up to 20 days per year for newly hired employees).
HOW TO APPLY
Submit your resume and cover letter as one pdf e-mail attachment with your last name and “Policy Director” in the file name (i.e., Smith_ PolicyDirector) to mregan@bayareacouncil.org. Please cc jgrubb@bayareacouncil.org.
Internship Opportunity
Please check back soon for upcoming internship opportunities with us.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Bay Area Council is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. Answers to application questions will be used for applicable, job-related reasons only.
