Associate Vice President, Government Relations

The Associate Vice President of Government Relations provides a leadership role in the strategic implementation of ARAMARK’s Corporate Affairs programs and procedures.  Corporate Affairs is a multi-functional department with wide-spread accountabilities that include community relations, corporate relations, government relations, philanthropic grant making, and volunteer initiatives, in addition to internal and external communications.  The AVP of Government Relations will work collaboratively with AVP of External Affairs in key operating regions to assist with grassroots implementation of government relations strategy as well as continuous interface with company leadership, multiple corporate departments and lines of business.Essential Functions:
Builds key partnerships and establishes positive working relationships with elected officials, regulators and their staffs to foster the objectives of ARAMARK’s corporate government relations program.
Leads all aspects of the ARAMARK Political Action Committee including fundraising, administration, regular communications, PAC fund disbursement strategy, ARAMARK PAC Board meetings. Works with Payroll Department to manage PAC contributions.  Works with PAC consulting firm to submit reports, manage bank accounts, and measure results.  Works with regional External Affairs to conduct localized annual PAC solicitation and PAC fund disbursement strategies.
Manages the legislative agenda by engaging management in the formulation and driving lobbying efforts, eventually to include grassroots advocacy, that result in positive outcomes for ARAMARK.  Manages ARAMARK’s position statements and lobbying firms.  Lobbying strategies are mainly federally focused with some attention to states as needed.  Identifies opportunities for management to interface with political leaders.  Works with Corporate Affairs staff to track and measure results.  Works with regional External Affairs in support of their legislative goals in their geographies.
Monitors key political, legislative, and regulatory issues, providing early alerts to the appropriate individuals and facilitating appropriate responses to prevent crisis, promote growth and mitigate liability.Management Duties:
Designs and implements Government Relations strategy.
Supervises Government Relations team to ensure compliance with Corporate Affairs strategy.
Connects with Community Relations team, Corporate Relations team and Regional External Affairs to provide seamless coordination of Corporate Affairs strategy.
Reports out to leadership across all Lines of Business.
Provides communication support in the form of presentations, memorandums, project management reports, website outreach and program analysis.
Provides leadership on training modules, and coordination of special events.
Actively manages legislative and key political relationships in support of Corporate Affairs strategy.
Works with regions and business units on PAC solicitation and disbursement requests, communication with elected officials, political events, and issues management.
Conducts regular management briefings on key legislative issues/efforts.
Creates a regular ARAMARK "Legislative Review" for senior executives.
Represents ARAMARK as an advocate on issues of importance to the company before government officials.
Works with relevant associations, lobbyists and other outside organizations that represent legislative issues impacting ARAMARK. 
Ensures PAC’s compliance with the Federal Election Commission and state boards of election.
Manages information technology systems for tracking PAC disbursement requests and grassroots advocacy participation.
Facilitates and supports leadership’s involvement with the political process.
Manages government relations budget. 


Bachelors degree in political science, liberal arts, or a related field
5-10 years of experience in government relations within a non-profit or corporate setting
Experience in networking with government officials and organizations is a plus
Excellent writing and presentation skills
Strong organizational, project management and analytical skills
Resources/research knowledge
Excellent interpersonal communication skills
Budgetary forecasting/analysis
Strategic planning