Director Government Affairs

Job Summary

The Director, Government Affairs is responsible for state legislative and regulatory affairs as well as all engagement with state, local and Federal government officials on business matters for Altice USA in California, Idaho, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada.  This role manages the renewal and compliance with the cable franchises negotiated with local governments.   This position will also work with the appropriate state and local agencies to secure broadband expansion grants for designated areas in the Primary States, as well as other markets should opportunities arise.   In coordination with Corporate Government Affairs, this position must develop and execute political, legislative, and regulatory strategies and initiatives that support and enhance the company’s business objectives, including strategic community affairs initiatives.  The Director is also responsible for maintaining and building relationships with key federal, state, and local officials as well as community stakeholders who are influential in the States.   

Responsibilities

• Government Affairs Relationships:  Develop and maintain relationships with Governors’ offices, Attorneys General, state utility commissions, state legislatures (including leadership, key committee chairs and staff),  congressional district directors, and local government officials in the Primary States.  The Director will also attend political functions and community events on behalf of the Company. 
• Legislative & Regulatory Affairs:  Manage all state-level legislative advocacy, regulatory advocacy, and compliance. This includes strategic planning and direct day-to-day engagement in all aspects of legislative and regulatory proceedings and the coordination, both direct and indirect, (through industry allies and business associations) of company involvement to minimize operational impact and costs. To the extent possible, these efforts seek to achieve a better governmental environment for the company’s products and services.  
• Business Initiatives:  Responsible for developing and executing government strategies to garner support for business initiatives, including permits to support network expansion/upgrades, programming disputes and siting of retail locations. This includes working with applicable state and local agencies to secure government broadband grants for deployment of our broadband network.
• Franchising:  Responsible for all local government relationships and franchise management, including securing renewals on favorable terms and compliance.  Also supports expansion in communities outside company’s franchise areas through the negotiation and management of alternative right-of-way agreements as needed.
• Community Affairs:  Responsible for developing strategic targets for execution of community affairs initiatives to advance the company’s community image and relationships with public officials.

Operational Activities of this Position

Manage interaction with state and local government officials and agencies as well as federal officials in the Primary States. Monitor all state and local matters that may impact the company; identify issues that warrant company involvement; and assist in developing and executing positions and strategies to achieve successful results.  Maintain and enhance relationships with key federal, state, and local public officials, including congressional members and staff, state legislative leaders and relevant committee members, legislative staff and local chief elected officials.  Oversee external consultants handling regulatory and legislative matters.  Manage regulatory issues at the state utility commissions and ensure timely compliance.  Develop and oversee implementation of community affairs initiatives for strategic political purposes.  Recommend and execute a strategy for targeted charitable contributions.  

Qualifications

• 10 years experience in the telecommunications industry, government sector or other relevant areas.
• Strong knowledge of telecommunications business, laws, and regulation is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability present effectively to a wide range of audiences.
• Team building skills, including ability to work effectively with colleagues that are not in a direct reporting relationship.
• Leadership skills, including ability to advance company interests in venues that require consensus building.
• Flexibility and creativity in problem solving, particularly in negotiations with government officials and agencies.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with federal, state, and local government officials as well as community stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze and understand business impact of proposed legislation and regulations at federal, state, and local level.
• Ability to develop strategic plans for advancing business objectives with government agencies.
• Strong working knowledge of state regulatory, legislative, and municipal processes.
• Ability to plan and execute community affairs activities including events involving public officials.