Associate Principal, Public Affairs

About the Role

Join our exciting team of employees at Royal Caribbean Group, the vacation-industry leader with global brands including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. This full-time position reports to the AVP, Global Public Affairs and serves as a strategic leader within RCG’s Corporate Affairs team. The role is responsible for the comprehensive management, growth, and compliance of RCG USA’s Political Action Committee (PAC), political engagement programs, and grassroots activations.

Responsibilities

• PAC and Political Giving:
  • Provide strategy, guidance, and execution on PAC operations and political fundraising initiatives.
  • Lead cross-functional collaboration with Public Affairs, Government Relations, Community Engagement, and legal counsel to align federal, state, and local political giving strategy with RCG’s legislative priorities and business objectives.
  • Lead and evolve the long-term vision, growth strategy, and operations of RCG USA PAC, including strategic plans, solicitation campaigns, donor engagement, and stakeholder communications to enhance its influence and fundraising capabilities.
• Champion Development:
  • Develop member engagement and ship tour programs to educate members and staff about RCG and the cruise industry.
  • Plan and execute convenings (roundtables, briefings, receptions, and site visits), including agendas, logistics, and follow-up.
  • Support PAC fundraising events and engagement activities through logistics, vendor coordination, and reconciliation.
  • Work with cruise line and trade association partners to advance industry events and initiatives.
• Grassroots and Issue Advocacy:
  • Support grassroots and grasstops issue advocacy campaigns to enhance corporate reputation, advance public policy agenda, and build pro-cruise champions.
  • Provide political intelligence and research to inform grassroots and coalition strategies and contribution planning.
• Political Monitoring and Compliance:
  • Monitor political and regulatory developments impacting the vacation and tourism industry; synthesize implications, recommend engagement strategies, and deliver concise briefings for internal leadership and partners.
  • Work with counsel to ensure full compliance with all FEC, IRS, and state-level regulatory and reporting requirements for PACs, c4 entities, and lobbying disclosures.
  • Track and report performance metrics, including fundraising progress, participation, disbursements, and election outcomes.
  • Drive donor cultivation initiatives, including executive-level engagement, meet-and-greet events, and customized solicitation and communication campaigns.
  • Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the political landscape, federal and state legislative trends, and political risk affecting the cruise industry.
  • Foster and sustain relationships with political fundraisers.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 to 8 years of experience in PAC management, political fundraising, campaign finance compliance, and/or related public affairs roles.
• Experience working with or within political campaigns, party committees, or political fundraising organizations preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of FEC compliance, federal and state campaign finance laws, and lobbying disclosure requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior role managing a corporate, association, or other PAC program with national reach.
• Proven strategic thinker and collaborator with the ability to lead complex projects and grow a political program.
• High-level project management, analytics, and organizational skills.
• Exceptional oral and written communication and presentation skills, including for executive-level audiences.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to draft clear, compelling communications for internal and external audiences.
• Strong political acumen and understanding of the political campaign ecosystem.
• Professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive political and legal matters.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, while also being an excellent collaborator.
• Ability to travel for industry events and ship tours.
• Based in Washington, DC.

Skills

• Demonstrated experience developing and successfully managing political programs.
• Strong executive presence: ability to interact effectively at the highest level of an organization and communicate complex issues crisply and convincingly.
• Superior interpersonal skills and proven ability to gain the respect of, and build rapport with, multiple constituencies, internally and externally.
• Excellent communication skills and public speaking ability.
• Experience within the travel and tourism industry preferred.

Benefits

Royal Caribbean Group offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each providing unique ways to explore the world.