Vice President, Government Affairs
The Role
The Vice President, Government Affairs (VP, GA) focuses on legislative and regulatory policy initiatives and advocacy. The VP, GA performs legislative, regulatory and advocacy related activities across a range of issues of interest to Green Thumb including developing and implementing legislative strategies and objectives and reporting on their success, managing outside lobbyists, representing Green Thumb at trade association meetings, drafting legislative summaries, and assisting with the development and use of advocacy materials. The VP, GA also leverages strong communication skills and interpersonal abilities to build relationships with local, state, and federal politicians, lobbyists, business leaders, and other stakeholders. Along with demonstrated skills and experience, we are looking for a leader who welcomes solving challenging problems, has exceptional business judgment and relationship skills, and enjoys hands-on connection to the field teams. This position is based at the Green Thumb headquarters in Chicago, IL.
Responsibilities
Under the direction of the SVP, the VP, GA will:
- Monitor, research and analyze proposed legislative and regulatory developments related to state statutes, state regulations, and local regulations in Green Thumb’s existing markets and potential markets, and how they impact the business, and lead corresponding advocacy efforts
- Work with internal stakeholders to understand what regulatory changes would assist them and then lead corresponding advocacy efforts
- Prepare and present verbal and written status updates on legislative, regulatory and policy developments to internal stakeholders
- Assist with the development of legislative materials such as “leave behinds”
- Represent Green Thumb at meetings with legislators, regulators and local officials
- Develop an effective system for managing retained lobbyists
- Attend state and/or federal trade association meetings and calls
- Prepare materials and present them to zoning boards and other municipal bodies
- Attend and report back on legislative hearings, briefings, and meetings, as well as other industry activities
- Draft correspondence to elected officials and government agencies
- Draft periodic government affairs reports
- Provide support of external advocacy-related events
Qualifications
- Bachelors Degree required
- 12+ years progressive responsibility and hands-on business experience with premier, market-leading companies. Combination of large public companies and high-growth organizations, with experience in government relations
- Deep understanding of legislative and regulatory processes and effective public policy, political advocacy, public and industry affairs programs, coalition building and grassroots campaign management
- Quantified examples of thought partnership that moved the needle in a regulated space. Past experience in cannabis advocacy preferred
- Ability to value or monetize the investment in legislative and regulatory issue management and demonstrate ROI
- Entrepreneurial and pragmatic
- Highly motivated, self-directed, innovative and able to work independently or among teams with keen judgement, common sense and resourcefulness
- Adapts and thrives in a demanding, fast-paced environment
- Possesses a high level of critical thinking
- Operates with a high level of professionalism and integrity, including dealing with confidential information
- Must understand and comply with the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of Green Thumb
- Must have a solid understanding of the Cannabis laws, rules and regulations and passion to further their understanding and knowledge of the industry and the laws.
Additional Requirements
- Must pass any and all required background checks
- Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry
- Must possess valid driver’s license
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
As an employer of more than 100 employees, Green Thumb will be operating in accordance with the Biden Administration’s Path Out of the Pandemic should the mandate take effect.