The American Bankers Association is the banking industry's champion. Joining ABA makes you part of a team that: • has Extraordinary People - ABA experts are the "go to" sources for bankers, policy makers and the media for credible information and insights for the banking industry. • has Unmatched Scope and Scale - ABA's unparalleled information and services keep members current, knowledgeable and prepared. • is Impact-Driven - ABA has a proven record of bringing about positive change for our members and the industry. We take action and achieve results. Plus competitive pay, an outstanding benefits package, a convenient DC location, a professional collegial work environment and an opportunity to work on issues of national significance equals a winning combination!
Did you know that women and other marginalized groups are often reluctant to submit job applications if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements? We encourage you to take a chance! If you don’t satisfy every criterion, but know you can excel in the role, we urge you to apply! We’d love to connect and talk with you about joining our team.
Employer of Choice: ABA is recognized with a 2023Great Company Culture Award and 2024 Great Place to Work designation!
Job Description:
Position Overview: ABA is seeking an experienced public policy professional to serve as a senior leader in an ABA advocacy office. ABA’s Office of Strategic Engagement (OSE) is a division of the policy operation responsible for devising and driving a portfolio of high-priority, member-driven advocacy campaigns in key areas, and overseeing a state issues function that serves as a clearinghouse for state-level policy issues and advocacy.
The SVP will be the chief liaison between the EVP, Advocacy & Innovation, and a series of multidisciplinary ABA working groups drawn from representatives across ABA. The SVP will be responsible for providing strategic direction and accountability for OSE-designated projects.
The successful candidate will be an experienced people manager with a deep understanding of the policymaking process, with a track record of running issue-based public policy campaigns, ideally with experience in coalition-building. A demonstrated leadership record of motivating teams and achieving results in a fast-paced, collaborative, creative, inclusive, bipartisan environment is required.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy: OSE exists to help ensure a strategic overlay to a core set of member advocacy priorities. The SVP, OSE will work closely with each team lead and working group to develop, test, and retest our basic strategy in each campaign.
Execution: ABA has a comprehensive set of advocacy tools that must be efficiently and effectively leveraged in pursuit of our policy objectives. The SVP, OSE will work with each team lead and working group to develop and adjust tactics as these campaigns progress.
Member engagement: As a membership organization, ABA’s priorities are our members’ priorities, so effective communication with our members in each OSE priority area is critical. The SVP, OSE must develop and build strong member connections through the Government Relations Council, MDI Advisory Council, Community Bankers Council, OSE working groups, the state issues group, and by participating in a variety of other ABA forums and events across the organization.
Management: The SVP, OSE will manage a team of policy professionals with a wide range of experience and subject matter expertise. The OSE team is responsible for a portfolio that includes deep subject matter expertise in specific policy issues, as well as responsibility for general advocacy messaging on the full range of ABA issues. The team also hosts multiple events and conferences and maintains relationships with external stakeholders in the policy space.
Qualifications:
Bachelor or advanced degree in a related field.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and management skills.
15+ years of experience developing and running successful policy issue advocacy “campaigns” with a focus on collaboration and problem-solving.
Familiarity with financial services issues strongly preferred.
Ability to successfully take ownership and initiative in a fast-paced, tight-knit environment where flexibility, organization, and teamwork are essential.
Experience solving unique and complex problems quickly, with tact and discretion.
Project management experience with strong attention to detail to ensure timely execution of complex action plans.
Experience successfully motivating and managing a team of seasoned professionals, as well as working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and peer groups.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to travel (<20%).
Salary Band Range:
$212,415.00 - $295,208.00 - $378,000.00
American Bankers Association (ABA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected Veteran status, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibilities, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
ABA encourages and celebrates diversity so if you are motivated, hardworking and want to make a difference, come as you are!
The American Bankers Association is the united voice of America’s hometown bankers—small, regional and large banks that together employ more than 2 million women and men, hold nearly $17 trillion in assets, safeguard $12.8 trillion in deposits and extend more than $9 trillion in loans. ABA believes that government policies should recognize the industry’s diversity. Laws and regulations should be tailored to correspond to a bank’s charter, business model, hometown markets and risk profile. This policymaking approach avoids the negative economic consequences of burdensome, unsuitable and inefficient bank regulation. Through a broad array of information, training, staff expertise and other resources, ABA supports America’s hometown bankers as they perform their critical role as drivers of America’s economic growth and job creation.
