The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as our region’s collective voice to drive solutions for our thriving community. We work alongside our 1,700 members, who represent over 170,000 professionals, to initiate, advocate and empower our region to advance a prosperous business environment.  From increased infrastructure investment, addressing the housing attainability crisis to serving as a catalyst for building a local talent pipeline and workforce, the Chamber is at the forefront of providing solutions to advance Greater Charleston.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction and guidance of the SVP of Business Advocacy, this position is responsible for enhancing the Chamber’s relationships with the local governments in the BCD region at the staff and elected level and advancing the Chamber’s local and regional policy priorities. Additionally, the job will include coordination with the Chamber’s Regional Policy Committee, CMCC Political Action Committee and the Chamber activities associated with One Region. This position will require monitoring of local council agendas and committees to identify the issues of importance to the business community and strategies to advocate for or against an identified agenda item.

A passion for politics, an interest in lobbying, and a desire for a career path in business advocacy and/or politics is preferred. This role requires the ability to represent the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce on local boards or committees as needed and the flexibility to attend evening local council meetings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identifies issues that arise from the Regional Policy Committee activities that the Chamber needs to act upon and prepares a communications/advocacy strategy on how the Chamber should address issues.
• Follows the Chamber’s Policy Agendas and works within the various Guiding Principles as adopted by the Board of Directors.
• Assists in identifying speakers and participants for the Civic Leaders Academy sessions in partnership with the programs team.
• Identifies issues, develops recommendations on Chamber policy positions and works to ensure that positions and agendas are accurately and effectively communicated.
• Develops and maintains relationships with staff and elected officials at local government levels to promote a continual and active dialogue with the Chamber.
• Monitors local issues that impact the broad-based interests of the Chamber’s membership and positively or negatively impact the organization’s mission. Will work collaboratively with the Business Advocacy Team on local, state, and federal issues that have regional business environment implications.
• Attends appropriate meetings and provides updates on issues that the Chamber needs to address (local governments, planning commission, Council of Governments, etc.).
• Advises the CMCC PAC activities on local government endorsements.
• Be familiar with and assist in ensuring that the department goals are met.
• Leverage members to advocate for or against local policy issues.
• Support the Business Advocacy activities and events at the federal and state levels, as needed.
• Attend events/meetings as directed.
• Handle other duties as assigned by the SVP of Business Advocacy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science or related degree, or demonstrated experience with working public policy or political issues preferred.
• Ability to drive to and within all three counties served by the Chamber—Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of computer-based data systems.
• Demonstrated ability to track and strategically manage multiple political or governmental issues.
• Excellent eye for detail coupled with organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage and execute multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Working knowledge of local and state governing processes.

OTHER RELEVANT ATTRIBUTES NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS

• Self-starter who can anticipate the next move and assist in determining where the Chamber should be involved.
• Good communicator—oral and written.
• Strong interest in politics but not tied exclusively to one party. In other words, someone who enjoys the political process and is passionate about policy issues but can work in a bi-partisan way with all elected officials.
• A strategic thinker who can see the big picture.
• Understands the Chamber and is comfortable serving in a representative capacity.
• Not a “yes” person, but can talk to volunteers and elected officials honestly and effectively, notwithstanding the difficulty associated with the issue.
• A hard worker, not a clock watcher, and someone who will work to get the project done.
• A professional who is an excellent representative of our organization.
• Team oriented. Not an “I,” but a “we” person.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Language Skills
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or budget reports. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from senior leaders, managers, and employees using tact, courtesy, and cooperativeness.
• Reasoning Ability
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with a few abstract and concrete variables, exercising judgment, resourcefulness, ingenuity, and initiative. Ability to exercise discretion while managing confidential information.
• Other Skills and Abilities
• Computer knowledge to include Microsoft Office, Excel, and other basic computer software systems.

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