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We are a member driven organization and are committed to success of the industry. Our team members have a passion for helping small business owners thrive and become great business owners.

Our core values are:

Passion to Serve

We have a passion to serve the hospitality industry and our communities.

Attention to Results

We understand our goals and work diligently towards achieving them, with honesty and integrity.

Accountability to Each Other and to our Members

We take responsibility for our successes, challenges and reputation and honor our commitments to each other and to our members.

Commitment to Excellence

We commit to constant and never-ending improvement and strive for excellence in all areas of our association.

Healthy and Constructive Conflict

We believe in healthy and constructive conflict as a tool for strengthening our shared vision of greatness.

Trust in our Team

We trust and are open with our team members, honoring each other as individuals working towards a greater good, every day, both professionally and personally.

Desire for Greatness

We desire to be part of something great, and continually work toward making greatness a reality. We value and embrace diversity in thoughts, opinions, cultures and backgrounds

Available Positions

Senior Local Government Affairs Manager, Olympia

DESCRIPTION:

If you are passionate about the importance of the hospitality industry to a vibrant community and economy, come join our local government affairs team.

The Washington Hospitality Association, the state’s leading hospitality trade group, seeks an experienced senior level local government affairs professional to lead our Seattle/King County advocacy activities. This individual will be directly involved is some of the most interesting, unique, and challenging issues being addressed at the municipal government level nationally. The successful applicant will also be a leading advocate for relief and recovery for an industry which has been the most dramatically impacted by the pandemic.

The Washington Hospitality Association represents more than 6,000 members statewide. Collectively, these businesses are the largest private sector employer in Washington employing more than 300,000 Washingtonians pre-pandemic. In Seattle, the Senior Local Government Affairs Manager works directly with the Seattle Restaurant Alliance and the Seattle Hotel Association to represent the interests of the hospitality industry at the city and county levels of government.

The Senior Local Government Affairs Manager works collaboratively with the statewide local government affairs team and is responsible for managing the activities of the Seattle Local Government Affairs Assistant Coordinator and Local Communications Manager. The Senior Local Government Affairs Manager also manages political engagement by the hospitality community in local elections, including candidates and ballot measures.

JOB SUMMARY:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Directing and arranging interactions between hospitality members and members of the Mayor’s Office, City Council, City departments and County Executive, County Council and County Departments.
  • Cultivate strong, close working relationships with local businesses and leaders within the hospitality community.
  • Provide leadership in building business and stakeholder coalitions to address issues of importance to the overall business community and hospitality sector.
  • Remain informed about public policy issues, current events, and other issues which may affect members. Educate and engage with members on these issues, providing recommendations for action when needed.
  • Guide members to consensus on key issues, providing strategic insight on how best to accomplish established goals and helping to define a clear plan of action.
  • Represent the hospitality industry on taskforces and stakeholder groups, and testify before City and County Council as appropriate, coordinating participation and testimony by members of the hospitality community.
  • Collaborate with the Local Government Communications Manager to develop and implement communications tools and processes to reach both members and external audiences.
  • Negotiating, managing, and directing contract work (i.e., consultants, polling, etc.).
  • Structure an objective, decision-making process for members during elections; craft strategic plans of action, adhering to applicable legal/regulatory election requirements.

REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifications:

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

  • Strategic thinking, creative problem solving and project management.
  • Relationship and team building skills.
  • Management of multiple projects at the same time.
  • Development of detailed work plans and seeing tasks through to completion.
  • Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills.
  • Ability to function independently and effectively in stressful work environment.
  • Proven capacity to function electively in the Seattle and King County political environment.
  • Knowledge of the hospitality industry.

Required Qualification:

  • Minimum 6 years of progressively challenging government affairs experience.
  • Prior campaign experience.
  • Must be willing to work evenings, and weekends as needed to meet job requirements.

We offer attractive benefits including, medical, dental, life, LTD, paid vacation, EAP and 401k.

APLICATION PROCESS:

Please apply and upload a cover letter and resume at the following link: https://secure5.saashr.com/ta/WAHG20.careers?ApplyToJob=251999747