Sr Dir Gov Affairs

Are you looking to Optimize your life? Start your exciting path to a rewarding career today!
We are Optimum, a leader in the fast-paced world of connectivity, and we're seeking driven and enthusiastic professionals to join our team, empower lives, fuel businesses, and drive innovation. Connectivity is now longer a luxury, but a necessity. 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. Our successes, now and in the future, are powered by our amazing product, a commitment to our people and culture, and the connections we make in our communities.
If you are resourceful, collaborative, and passionate about delivering consistent excellence, Optimum is for you!
Job Summary
The Senior Director, Government Affairs is a senior leader responsible for overseeing legislative and regulatory affairs and engagement with government officials for Optimum in New Jersey. Collaborating closely with the New Jersey Government Affairs team, the Senior Director develops and executes comprehensive political, legislative, and regulatory strategies that support and advance the company's business objectives, including high-impact community affairs initiatives.
The Senior Director is also accountable for cultivating and strengthening relationships with key federal, state, and local officials throughout New Jersey.
Responsibilities

• Government Affairs Leadership: Build and lead strategic relationships with state elected officials and regulatory agencies in New Jersey. Represent the company at political functions, public hearings, and community events to advance its interests and visibility.
• Legislative & Regulatory Strategy: Direct the company's legislative, regulatory, and compliance advocacy in New Jersey. Lead strategic planning and daily engagement in legislative and regulatory proceedings, managing the company's involvement both directly and through industry coalitions to mitigate operational risks and costs.
• Business Development Support: Support the development and execution of government strategies that enable and accelerate business initiatives, including permitting for network expansion and upgrades, public-private partnerships, and programming negotiations across New Jersey.
• Franchise Management: Oversee franchise negotiations and compliance in New Jersey municipalities, ensuring alignment with local priorities and franchise obligations. Lead renewal negotiations to secure favorable terms that align with the company's long-term business goals.
• Community Affairs Strategy: Implement strategic community affairs initiatives that enhance the company's public image and strengthen relationships with public officials and community leaders throughout New Jersey.

Qualifications

• 12+ years' experience in government, government affairs/relations or other advocacy roles
• College degree or equivalent experience is required, graduate level degree is preferred
• Excellent relationship skills, written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Track record of developing and executing strategic advocacy campaigns and driving support for policy outcomes at state or local level
• Team building skills, including ability to work effectively with colleagues within the advocacy team and with cross-functional business teams.
• 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
• Ability to analyze and understand business impact of proposed legislation and regulations at federal, state and local level
• Working knowledge of NJ regulatory, legislative and municipal processes including experience working with the NJ BPU.
• Ability to plan and execute public affairs activities including events involving public officials

At Optimum, every action and interaction we take part in, is driven by our three Guiding Principles: Do What's Right, Drive One Optimum, and Make It Happen. These aren't just words, they help us build trust, create real community, and embrace new ways of thinking. Our employees are empowered to do the right thing for our customers and co-workers and to recognize and reward these behaviors when we see them. It's all part of the bigger picture of "Be The Difference" where each employee knows they have the power to enact real change, share new ideas, and understand that learning never stops.
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. 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 $161,186.00 - $230,265.00 / 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: New Jersey