Vice President - Public Affairs

The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) has a new opportunity for a Vice President of Public Affairs. This position provides leadership and management of the public affairs function of the association and membership through media and communications strategies. This person will advance NAMIC’s profile among policymakers, major national and local media outlets, and the broader insurance industry.

Essential functions of the position include:

• Leads the association’s public affairs functions, including the development, implementation, and attainment of all strategic public affairs goals, objectives, plan initiatives, and communications.
• Effectively develops and manages direct reports to support areas of responsibility.
• Represents NAMIC as a spokesperson/point person on media, public affairs efforts, conferences, and member meetings.
• Collaborates across departments and with the CEO to formulate and successfully advance the Association’s public policy and advocacy communication agenda.
• Establishes and maintains a sophisticated network across media, member, and public engagement spaces for the benefit of NAMIC members and advocacy objectives. Serves a critical role in positioning NAMIC and, by extension, the mutual insurance industry as the financial first responders for insurance consumers. This role will strategically elevate NAMIC’s position as the foremost advocate and thought leader for the mutual insurance industry.
• Identifies challenges/risks and emerging issues and trends faced by the industry that impact public affairs efforts; able to recognize and take advantage of unplanned opportunities. 
• Develops and aligns both internal and external resources for public affairs efforts in terms of content, spokespersons, methods, and results; promotes efficiency and effectiveness in public affairs outcomes.
• Identifies and develops NAMIC’s key messages on macro and micro advocacy topics and enables successful infrastructure to support such activity.
• Serves on the senior leadership team, advancing cross-organizational priorities in partnership with other departments within the organization.
• Develops simple messaging for complex insurance public policy issues through generating one-pagers, op-eds, talking points, other interview preparation, internal publications, and media statements.
• Creates department financial plans that maximize the efficiency of dollars spent; aligns and coordinates with other departments whose budgets are impacted by PA; or departments whose plans will impact PA.
• Educates the organization and leadership on the role and advantages of public affairs; promotes the public affairs role and value to the association.
• Provides briefings and support at NAMIC Board meetings.

 Qualifications include:

• Ten or more years in a public affairs or communications function, possessing a deep understanding and development of advocacy communication strategies.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations/affairs, communications, or related field is required. Advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Association and/or insurance industry background strongly preferred but not required.
• Deep understanding of public policy making at state and federal levels and the ability to develop advocacy communication strategies through earned and paid media as well as advocacy collateral.
• Experience managing a department of professionals and serving as a positive role model and mentor.
• Extensive planning, speaking, writing, editing, and proofreading experience with a variety of print and online communication media.
• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic communications and public/media relations program to advance an organization’s mission and translating strategic thinking into action plans and high-impact placements.
• Experience in a senior management role is preferred but not required.
• Ability to travel 15% of available workdays.
• Ability to successfully pass a criminal background and MVR check.

NAMIC is proud to have been selected as one of the Best Places to Work! We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package with this full-time position. Benefits include access to group medical, dental, and vision; a matched 401(k) plan; one paid day each year to volunteer with the charity of your choice; generous paid vacation; and more! We have a friendly yet professional work atmosphere where everyone enjoys working hard for the good of our members. 

NAMIC is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected status.