Region Director

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Gulf Coast Region Director will oversee the advocacy agenda within the region and play a
lead role in crafting and advocating for the association’s strategies to advance API’s state
advocacy priorities. This includes providing guidance and assistance in the development of
legislative and regulatory strategies; administration of the region and state office and advising
and aiding the Vice President of State Relations in responding to member company requests.
Further, provide timely written reports and summaries as needed or requested to keep API
management and others apprised of key issues in the region. Specific responsibilities include
the following:

• Develop advocacy strategies based on API priorities and communicating/executing on such strategies in collaboration with member company and API leadership, colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Anticipate and identify emerging and potential issues impacting the petroleum industry.
• Lead and manage high impact cross-functional internal teams.
• Oversee the development and management of advocacy professionals in regional offices.
• Serve as administrative leader of the Gulf Coast region office. This includes developing, advocating or fulfilling the objectives of API, its member companies and the council through effective management of the council's resources and employees. Ensure financial affairs of the office are properly managed; the office operates within the budget; and, required financial reports are accurate and submitted in a timely fashion.
• Work to keep industry officials, including API management informed on matters of interest.
• Establish and maintain relationships with company representatives to permit interaction on state legislative and regulatory matters.
• Work with state team to understand pending issues and assist as needed or requested in getting advice from API staff or company experts.
• Encourage state team to maintain effective coordination across the regions and with API
• headquarters, as well as with public/media relations efforts, to achieve a better understanding of the industry and its issues.
• Ensure resources are appropriately aligned to achieve priorities and execute on strategies in accordance with API policies and procedures.
• Assist in the accomplishment of API federal legislative objectives by working with appropriate Washington-based staff to ensure state office participation and feedback.
• Provide leadership to direct reports in the region office as well as to reporting states’ office staff and use abilities to ensure the operation of the region office in an efficient manner.
• Promote a collegial, team-oriented atmosphere among staff
• Manage outside consultants providing lobbying support to the states
• Travel required (50%)

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Ten+ years of experience in government relations, state government or with a major trade association. A track record for effectively working on a bipartisan manner. Knowledge of state and federal government legislative process and familiarity with the association management.
• A reputation for integrity and building trust among key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience and credibility for leveraging an exceptional network of influential relationships with senior leaders in state government as well as third-party organizations, associations and industry trade groups; politically savvy.
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated consensus-building skills, and an ability to convey confidence within the organization and with external constituencies.
• An exceptional listener, who engages key stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization.
• Superior public speaking and communications skills, with an ability to effectively create and articulate a regional strategy to myriad audiences and stakeholders.
• Proven leadership skills along with initiative, relationship building, and interpersonal skills.
• An ability to effectively lead and work on several projects under tight time constraints and within budget are required.
• Strong supervisory experience, including strategic employment decisions, effective performance management, and a strong reputation for developing, engaging and managing others – serving as a leader, advisor, mentor, teambuilder, and coach. Experience in matrix management environment a plus.
• Knowledge of current petroleum industry issues at both federal and state levels, a plus.

EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Communications, Political Science, Law or related field
required. Advanced degree and related experience desirable.