VP, Public Policy & Strategic Initiatives

Location: Raleigh, NC (Hybrid) | Pay: $90,000/year | Type: Full-time; Direct Hire | Schedule: Monday - Friday

About the role

Lead the Greater Raleigh Chamber's public policy agenda, government relations, and strategic initiatives that advance a business-friendly environment and support long-term economic growth throughout the Greater Raleigh region. Collaborate across Chamber departments and with business, civic, and government leaders to develop policy priorities, strengthen public-private partnerships, and create programs that engage members on key regional issues. Serve as a primary ambassador of the Chamber, advocating for the business community with local, regional, state, and federal officials, with primary emphasis on local government engagement.

Responsibilities

• Public Policy Leadership
  • Lead the Chamber's public policy and government relations efforts in partnership with the President & CEO and senior leadership.
  • Build and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, government staff, business leaders, and community partners.
  • Represent Chamber interests to local, regional, state, and federal governments and at public meetings.
  • Monitor, research, and analyze legislation, ordinances, and public policy issues affecting the business community.
  • Develop policy communications, legislative updates, member alerts, and public policy content.
  • Evaluate member requests for Chamber policy support and provide recommendations to executive leadership.
  • Supervise the Public Policy Coordinator and oversee departmental operations.
• Policy Development
  • Develop and implement a proactive legislative and policy agenda.
  • Support policy priorities including education, transportation, infrastructure, economic development, housing, quality of place, business climate, and growth and development.
  • Collaborate with regional partners to develop shared legislative priorities.
  • Prepare the Chamber's Voter Guide during election years.
  • Serve as staff liaison to the Public Policy Committee by preparing agendas, research, meeting materials, and policy recommendations.
• Strategic Initiatives
  • Develop and lead initiatives that engage members around critical economic and community issues.
  • Create forums, roundtables, leadership programs, and educational events that connect business and community leaders.
  • Partner with public and private organizations on initiatives aligned with Chamber priorities.
  • Plan inter-city visits and leadership exchanges, including agendas, logistics, sponsorships, and participant engagement.
  • Develop sponsorship opportunities and secure financial support for programs.
  • Measure and report program participation and outcomes.
• Events and Programs
  • Provide strategic leadership for Public Policy Department events by overseeing program content, speaker development, sponsorship fulfillment, and coordination with Chamber departments.
  • Collaborate with Marketing and Communications, the Events Team, sponsors, speakers, elected officials, and volunteers to ensure successful execution.
  • Invite and encourage participation from local government officials and community partners.
• Government and Community Engagement
  • Coordinate candidate briefings and member engagement opportunities with elected officials.
  • Lead Chamber involvement in policy campaigns and strategic initiatives approved by Chamber leadership.
  • Represent the Chamber on regional committees, coalitions, and working groups supporting transportation, infrastructure, and economic development priorities.
• Volunteer Leadership
  • Recruit, support, and manage volunteer committees and task forces.
  • Provide meeting coordination, research, communications, and administrative support for committees and volunteer leaders.
• Budget and Administration
  • Develop and manage the Public Policy Department budget.
  • Monitor departmental financial performance and prepare monthly variance reports and end-of-year projections.
  • Prepare reports for the Vice Chair of Public Policy to report at the Executive Committee and Board of Director meetings.
  • Ensure departmental activities comply with Chamber policies and strategic objectives.
  • Provide administrative support of all assigned Committees, Subcommittees and task forces, including guest speakers, correspondence, record keeping, minutes, research and physical arrangements for meetings.

Skills

• Strategic Leadership
• Government Relations and Public Policy
• Relationship Building and Collaboration
• Communication and Public Speaking
• Program and Event Management
• Financial and Project Management
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Member and Stakeholder Engagement

Qualifications

• At least eight years of experience in public policy, advocacy, community development, public administration, government relations, or economic development.
• Committee and/or task force management experience.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills, including experience researching and interpreting legislation, ordinances, and policy proposals.
• Proven time management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Experience organizing, developing content for, and executing successful events.
• Experience working with elected officials and appointed government leaders.
• Demonstrated leadership capability and ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in donor or sponsorship development preferred.
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree required.
• Demonstrated team spirit, flexibility, creativity, outstanding service attitude, strong work ethic, and ability to manage concurrent priorities in a fast-paced environment.