Overview:

The Council for Quality Growth, a 39-year-old organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, is searching for a Director - Policy & Government Affairs. The Chason Group has been retained to lead the executive search for the Council. The position will be filled prior to the start of the Georgia General Assembly in 2025. The Council brings together advocates for those who work at the intersection of public policy and private investment, including developers, contractors, engineers, architects, planners, law firms, banks and CIDs. The organization operates within an 11-county area of metro Atlanta, working with 87 local governments, and serving more than 5 million residents. The Council also extends its reach to the broader 20-county metro region, comprised of 142 local governments representing nearly 6 million residents.

About the Council for Quality Growth:

The Council delivers their mission through the platforms of advocacy, information, and education. The membership-based organization supports a pro-growth, pro-business, attainable housing, and transportation agenda. The Council brings together a coalition of voices to promote policies that limit unnecessary regulation and burdensome laws so as to ensure continued quality of growth and economic success for the metro Atlanta region and state. The Council’s work on behalf of its members has a direct and profitable impact on their bottom line. By providing advocacy, information, and education, the organization addresses strategic economic planning, zoning, infrastructure needs, and tough quality-of-life issues throughout the metro Atlanta region and state. As a not-for-profit trade association, the Council is the only organization that works every day to ensure the Metro Atlanta region’s regulatory and environment supports quality growth and development. As the only organization that operates broadly across the growth and development industry, the Council brings together and advocates for those who work at the intersection of public policy and private investment. The Council works with hundreds of elected officials – city councils, county, and regional commissions, and administrators and staff across local governments, state agencies and federal and executive leadership levels. The Council is often engaged by the public sector to advise on regulation that protects communities while continuing to encourage economic development. The Council stands committed to diverse and inclusive growth that cultivates vibrant and thriving communities functioning at all levels of enterprise. The philosophy of the organization is that a successful community is built to care for its citizens, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, or socioeconomic status.

Position Responsibilities:

The Director - Policy & Government Affairs is a senior-level policy position responsible for managing the Council’s public policy agenda related to its mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth throughout the Metro Atlanta region and State of Georgia. The Director reports to the President & CEO of the organization and is responsible for a proactive policy agenda and work plan developed to further the Council’s mission and accomplish the goals outlined by the Board of Directors. The Director monitors industry issues and trends, political and legal actions, participates in local, regional, and state level public policy discussions and works to promote and ensure outcomes that will provide a solid economic and physical infrastructure for quality growth and robust economic prosperity. Key areas of responsibility and accountability for the Director include formulating, developing, and communicating positions related to infrastructure planning, legislative initiatives, regulatory issues, land use, transportation, and environmental planning policies. Also, the professional will be building and strengthening relationships with elected officials, citizen advisory groups, policy makers, and other industry, business, and environmental organizations, with particular focus on local government in the Metro Atlanta region.

The Director will also be accountable for articulating through written and verbal communication positions and technical aspects of issues affecting Council members; assist in development of message points on policy positions for the President & CEO and Officers of the Council for speaking with media and elected officials; preparing news articles, reports, and white papers to include in Council newsletter, website updates, and member communications on critical and time-sensitive issues.

With support of an internal Policy Analyst, the Director will monitor, attend, participate, and report on a variety of local, regional, and state public meetings and stakeholder groups (examples include County Boards of Commissioners, City Councils, ATL Authority, Chambers of Commerce, CIDs, Atlanta Regional Commission); work with President & CEO and Council leadership to develop and execute the Council’s legislative agenda at the Georgia General Assembly; serve as the lead lobbyist for the Council, using strategic partnerships to further the standing of the organization on a state-wide level; manage the Council’s Government Affairs Task Force; prepare and deliver reports and coordinate committee meetings on a variety of issues related to government affairs, planning and development, transportation, public utilities, and environmental planning; and manage nine monthly local advisory roundtables around the Metro Atlanta region.

Key Skill Sets Required:

Excellent communication skills (Written, verbal, listening, technology)
Understanding of local & state governments
Self-starter
Team management experience
Strong diplomatic and public relations skills
Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple projects utilizing volunteers and internal team members
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and business practices related to growth and development

Education and Leadership Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college; graduate degree preferred; or related job experience.
Minimum of three years of experience in advocacy for a trade organization or similar business and/or government involvement.
Successful history of advocacy and policy knowledge.
Reside within 30 minutes of the Council’s offices located at 5901 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd #500, Atlanta.

How to Apply for Director of Policy & Government Affairs Position:

Experienced individuals interested in applying for the Director - Policy & Government Affairs with the Council may upload a cover letter and resume at www.thechasongroup.com. For more information on the position, candidates may contact Tim Chason at 404.735.0540 or tchason@thechasongroup.com.

The most qualified candidates will be asked to complete a detailed application prior to an interview. The targeted start date is January 1. The position will remain open until filled.

View this job announcement as a PDF: https://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CQG-Position-Announcement-P-G-Affairs-Final-Approved-Nov-2024-1.pdf

Council for Quality Growth

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Director of Policy & Government Affairs