Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

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We are Optimum, a leader in the fast-paced world of connectivity, and we're on the hunt for enthusiastic professionals to join our team! We understand that connectivity isn't just a luxury anymore - it's a necessity that empowers lives, fuels businesses, and drives innovation. A career at Optimum means you'll be enabling progress and enhancing lives by providing reliable, high-speed connectivity solutions that keep the world connected. We owe our success to our amazing product, commitment to our people and the connections we make in every community.
If you are resourceful, collaborative, team-oriented and passionate about delivering consistent excellence, Optimum is the Company for you!
We are Optimum!
Job Summary
The Senior Vice President of Government Affairs is an executive level role that is responsible for managing federal, state and local government, legislative, regulatory, and political affairs for Optimum's video, broadband, voice, wireless, media, and advertising services across the company's 21-state footprint. This role requires developing and executing substantive strategies in support of the Company brand, mission, business and policy goals. A critical component of the position is leading a team of professionals focused on federal, state and local government affairs, prioritizing work, fostering a culture of focus and agility, and empowering the team to maintain real-time awareness of key policy developments, decipher what is relevant for the company and balancing big-picture with disciplined execution to deliver results on issues that will make an impact. The Senior Vice President is a business leader who is engaged and well versed in the Company's key growth strategies, execution, and operational requirements and can advocate with authority and credibility in support of the Company and work collaboratively alongside other business leaders.
Responsibilities

• Government Affairs Relationships: Support the development and maintenance of strategic relationships across Optimum's 21-state footprint, including: federal officials, key Governor's offices, state regulatory agencies and other state and local agencies, members of the state legislatures key legislative staff members, and local leaders. Build and maintain relationships with industry peers, industry associations, and influential third-party groups a to positively impact the outcome of key governmental strategies, effectively leveraging both the team and outside consultants as needed to supplement.
• Legislative & Regulatory Affairs: Manage legislative and regulatory advocacy in support of all of the Company's businesses to achieve a better governmental environment for the company's products and services and protect the company's interest in all jurisdictions where Optimum operates, respond to and manage inquiries, and influence legislative and regulatory outcomes to best serve the Company and its customers.
• Franchising & Local Issues: Obtain, maintain, renew and manage franchises and related authorizations to support network investment and service expansion.
• Community Affairs: With the sales and communications teams, coordinate community affairs to identify strategic targets for execution of public affairs initiatives to support the company's image and relationships with public officials and develop and expand charitable activities in support of the Company mission and brand.
• PAC Development and Administration. Manage and expand the strategic focus of the Company's federal and State Political Action Committees and political contribution program, drive employee engagement and support through coordinated events, activities and messaging, and ensure the strategic use of funds to support company priorities and relationships.
• This candidate is a senior Company leader with the vision and skills to develop and expand the effectiveness of the government affairs professional staff to drive value for the Company. The successful candidate must understand the substantive policy issues of the Company and of the communications and media industry.
• Competently anticipate and evaluate issues of importance to the Company and effectively handle such issues in all aspects, using all resources available to the role and the Company appropriate to the challenge.
• Create and communicate a vision, both internally and externally, of the future of the Company and its differentiation versus peers.
• Deliver thought leadership with subject matter expertise to drive passion among larger team with both direct and indirect reporting lines.
• Be a regular presence in Optimum Headquarters in Long Island City, NY, and available for field travel to Optimum footprint as needed.
• Demonstrate business acumen and the ability to translate policy concepts and drive actionable and realistic strategies that can drive results from concept to implementation.

Qualifications

• 15 years' experience as multi-state government affairs executive with a major telecommunications/cable/media company, senior level federal, state or local policy advisor or official. Deep functional experience in government and public affairs, with proven relationships and coalition building skills, is essential.
• Experience developing and executing complex political strategies and advocacy campaigns on high profile issues.
• Team building skills, including the ability to work effectively with colleagues across the organization.
• 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 in a fast-evolving regulatory landscape.
• Capable leadership and stakeholder management in responding to time-sensitive and critical events. An ability to develop budgets and oversee their execution.
• An undergraduate degree is required. A law degree or graduate level degree is strongly preferred.
• Transformation-oriented executive with the perseverance and open-mindedness to lead and drive sustained, company-wide transformation who gets energy from effecting change.
• Excellent communicator with a confident and collaborative style, adept at aligning internal and external stakeholders.
• Inspiring leader who can assess, attract, and develop talent.

At Optimum, we're fueled by our four core pillars: Taking Ownership, Upholding Transparency, Creating Community, and Demonstrating Expertise. Our commitment to empowering employees to take responsibility and embrace proactive problem-solving underpins Taking Ownership. Upholding Transparency is at the core of our culture, with open and honest communication fostering trust among our dedicated team and loyal customers. Creating Community is more than a goal; it's our daily commitment to fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and positivity. Demonstrating expertise is a promise we uphold through continuous learning and engagement with our customers to consistently deliver top-quality products and services. These pillars not only shape our culture but define Optimum as a place of excellence, trustworthiness, and thriving community, and we invite you to be a part of our journey.
If you have the drive to succeed and are ready to embark on a thrilling career, seize this opportunity today, and join our winning team, so together, we'll shape the future of connectivity.
All job descriptions and required skills, qualifications and responsibilities for a particular position are subject to modification by the Company from time to time, in the Company's discretion based on business necessity.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. The Company provides reasonable accommodations upon request in accordance with applicable requirements.
Optimum collects personal information about its applicants for employment that may include personal identifiers, professional or employment related information, photos, education information and/or protected classifications under federal and state law. This information is collected for employment purposes, including identification, work authorization, FCRA-compliant background screening, human resource administration and compliance with federal, state, and local law.
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Pay is competitive and based on a number of job-related factors, including skills and experience. The starting pay rate/range at time of hire for this position in the posted location is $242,760.00 - $346,800.00 / year. The rate/range provided herein is the anticipated pay at the time of hire, and does not reflect future job opportunity.
Nearest Major Market: Brooklyn
Nearest Secondary Market: New York City