Job Summary

Job Summary

East Tennessee REALTORS®

Government Affairs and Policy Director

East Tennessee REALTORS® (ETNR) is a trade association representing more than 6,000 members across 12 counties in East Tennessee involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. The association is dedicated to building strong community partnerships in East Tennessee and advocating on behalf of its members by impacting public policy that affects the real estate industry on the local, state, and national levels.

Job Title:                Government Affairs and Policy Director

Department:          Government Affairs

Reports To:            Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer

Position Summary: The Government Affairs and Policy Director leads the development and execution of the association’s government relations strategy and serves as a key policy advisor to the association’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors regarding all advocacy, legislative and regulatory initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to, monitoring and acting on local government policies related to real estate, interacting with elected and appointed officials and community organizations, overseeing fundraising initiatives for the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC), and engaging with the Tennessee REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS® governmental affairs and policy staff.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Maintain and advance the association’s advocacy agenda in a non-partisan manner to support legislation, policy, and regulations that promote and protect a dynamic local real estate market and foster home ownership and investment opportunities for qualified purchasers of real property.

• Establish and maintain relationships with key government decision-makers, including elected and appointed officials at the federal, state, and local level.

• Advance the public narrative around the housing market and contributing to thought leadership by educating government officials and the public about issues and trends related to housing and real estate
• Serve as a key policy advisor to the association’s CEO and Board of Directors on public policy issues related to housing and the real estate industry

• Staff Liaison to the association’s Candidate Evaluation Task Force, overseeing the local political candidate vetting process and making staff recommendations regarding RPAC campaign contributions
• Manage and implement annual advocacy program to meet NAR Core Standards and East Tennessee REALTORS® strategic plan initiatives related to political advocacy and RPAC fundraising goals.
• Staff Liaison to the association’s Public Policy Committee, working with committee chairs to identify and set issue priorities, strategies, and agendas.
• Serve as key communicator internally and externally on local REALTOR Party advocacy initiatives and opportunities, as well as relaying state and national advocacy news.
• Assist in the production of public policy research and analysis, such as generating housing market reports and producing policy briefs/blog posts
• Monitor, track, and act upon emerging and existing real estate regulatory issues. Prepare position papers, give testimony, and engage membership to take action.
• Identify and utilize NAR and State Association REALTOR® Party resources.
• Oversee the planning and execution REALTOR® Party events including the Legislative Luncheon, Day on the Hill, RPAC-a-thon, RPAC major investor and participation fundraisers, and ‘meet the candidate’ forums as the election calendar allows.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

In collaboration with the CEO and COO, the Government Affairs and Policy Director is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Government Affairs Specialist, providing strategic direction and working together to support the goals of the Government Affairs department.

Competencies & Expertise

Ideal applicants will be:

• Highly detail oriented with an aptitude for analyzing complex policy/regulatory issues, and accurately identifying and assessing political nuances.
• Proactive with an analytical mindset and excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Self-starter and ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Preferred Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, economics, political science, or related field
• 3+ years of political, policy, or regulatory experience; real estate and housing experience
• Knowledge of real estate and housing issues

Applications: To apply, interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and two references to ETNR’s Chief Executive Officer, Lyle Irish, at .

Job Summary    

Important team member who handles administrative duties required by the Association to provide superior services to members. This position reports to the Executive and Professional Services Director and CEO.   (Non-Exempt Employee)
                       

General duties include but are not limited to:

• Assist CEO as directed.
• Assist Executive and Professional Services Director with various tasks.
• Perform administrative functions including, but not limited to initiating, and preparing memos and other correspondence, making photocopies, sending faxes, preparing mailings, and other activities as requested.
• May assist other Department Heads in committee meetings by taking minutes, preparing for meetings and other functions, etc.
• Word processing, data entry and research tasks of all departments.
• Provides a bridge for smooth communication between executive office and internal departments; demonstrating leadership to maintain credibility, trust, and support with senior management staff.
• Maintains discretion and confidentiality in relationships with members.
• Provide back-up assistance for front desk as needed. Answer incoming calls in timely manner and responds to phone inquiries by determining member’s needs and specifications for referral to appropriate department.
• Greet members/visitors with a smile and friendly confidence.
• Assists Events Manager with in-house events and other various events related projects. Including event set-up and tear down, communications, vendor relations, and event assistance. Keep kitchens, common areas and public areas always clean.
• Assists Finance Director with accounting projects.  May perform accounting transactions such as posting to general ledgers, account reconciliation, verifying accuracy of accounting documents and codes, and journal entries. Process payments received through mail using remote deposit system.  Process credit card payments/credits.
• May also work with volunteers and members regarding invoices and receipts as well as verifying and processing refund requests.
• Organization and maintenance of files and documents. Maintain record of categorized accounting storage files.
• Ensure the office is properly closed at the end of the day.
• Assists in maintain a clean workroom and ensure sufficient supplies needed for copiers, printers, etc.
• Take mail to the post office from time to time.
• Works independently and within a team on special nonrecurring and ongoing projects.
• Perform such other duties as requested by the Chief Executive Officer, Executive and Professional Services Director and the Finance Director

Required Skills/Accreditations

• Organizational Skills including the ability to multi-task and switch between task.
• Strong computer literacy with emphasis on Microsoft applications and data management applications. Mac experience strongly preferred.
• Understands the process of a volunteer organization.
• Must be a good project manager.
• Must be attentive and creative, possess the ability to work with and adapt to all types of people and exhibit patience.
• Must be skilled as a communicator, have strong interpersonal skills. Ability to clearly and pleasantly communicate both verbally and in writing with members, management, and co-workers, both in person and by telephone.
• Must be self-motivated and ability to have initiative, work independently and have good time management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Fosters and contributes to a positive team environment. Must be a team player and contribute positive energy.
• Ability to produce professional documents with minimal number of errors; includes spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
• Ability to work cohesively with co-workers both within and outside of your department.
• Ability to work well under pressure, dealing with many member requests/questions within a short period of time.
• Customer service oriented with a desire to create memorable member experiences.
• Ability to use various office equipment, including but not limited to, calculators, photocopiers, and facsimile machines.
• Proficient with Quickbooks online.
• Must be able to lift 20 to 40 lbs.

Preferred Skills/Accreditations

• College degree in related field preferred.
• Previous administrative support experience preferred.
• Two plus years of experience preferred. REALTOR® Association experience a plus.

Hours

• 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M-F (In Office)

Additional Salary Information: Must send cover letter, resume, and salary requirement to: (Only complete applications will be considered.)