Job Description
Job Title: Government Relations Lead
Location: Corporate
Department: Government Relations/Sustainability
Job Summary: The Government Relations Lead will work closely with the Director of Government Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility to help plan and execute a comprehensive, proactive government relations strategy as well as develop and build relationships that advance Wawa’s priorities with local, regional, state, and federal elected officials. S/he will be responsible for assistance in advancing the Company’s legislative, regulatory, and public policy goals through the identifying, monitoring and engaging on relevant policy issues and leveraging expertise and relationships to effectively represent the Company in front of key legislators, regulators, trade associations, and industry coalitions. The Government Relations Lead will manage Wawa’s Political Action Committee and the Government Relations budget. Onboard, coach and develop the Government Relations interns and staff and will act as the lead in the absence of the Director.
Principal Duties:
- Monitor federal, state and local legislative/policy issues in assigned areas.
- Review and provide analysis on state legislation and regulatory activities and actions that impact Wawa’s business, associates and customer experience.
- Draft policy positions and assist in briefing leadership prior to hearings and voting sessions.
- Develop and maintain relationships with state and federal government officials, industry peers, trade associates, and others in furtherance of Company goals.
- Assist in representing the Company in meetings with elected officials and staff to represent Company policy and position on government relations.
- Continue to develop and utilize expertise in a wide range of policy and industry issues impacting core business operations and growth including priority issues in the areas of Tax, ESOPS, Fuel, EVs, SNAP, Credit Card Fees, and more.
- Engage with government relations management and business partners to determine and develop Wawa’s policy position on legislation and regulation.
- Handle a broad range of internal and external activities, and engage in strategic education, and internal and external advocacy activities to promote Wawa’s legislative agenda and policy positions of relevance to the Company, its partners and the community it serves.
- Manage a multi-state portfolio that includes:
- Monitoring and tracking company and industry specific legislative and regulatory proposals through independent research, industry communications, and other supporting tools.
- Manage day to day relationships with associations and lobbyist within the state.
- Manage and maintain Wawa lobbying efforts for assigned areas while developing relationships and building trust.
- Partner with lobbyists on agreed upon actions, etc.
- File lobbying reports, applications and licensing as needed with the Board of Ethics as required by law.
- Establishing a strong working knowledge of policy and industry issues impacting Wawa’s business, associates, customers, retail industry within the state.
- Create and implement proactive state and local advocacy strategies.
- Preparing briefing materials for meetings with elected officials within state portfolio.
- Develop and maintain relationships with business partners within state portfolio including, but not limited to, real estate, operations, marketing, fuel, and public relations.
- Research and manage relevant state and federal issues, coordinate and communicate with internal stakeholders, draft outgoing documents and correspondences, and track legislation.
- Manage Wawa’s Political Action Committee in collaboration with the Director of Government Relations.
- Assist in implementation of company-wide PAC strategy, including supporting execution of solicitation, education, member benefits as well as budgeting for the PAC.
- Manage the Government Relations department budget with the Director of Government Relations.
- Participate in legislative, government relations and networking meetings, conferences and events as required.
- Onboard, manage and develop Government Relations Interns.
- Support Social Purpose in assessing, all follow up with Store Operations and other departments who are impacted by/with the implementation of sustainability regulatory and legislative initiatives and mandates.
- Work in collaboration with Social Purpose in updating, communicating and maintaining communication and training materials as needed for compliance of sustainability programs as required by Federal, State or Local legislation or regulation.
- Represent Wawa at government, third-party, industry and political related events.
- Perform duties, special assignments and special projects with internal business partners as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Essential Functions:
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting as well as remote or with remote access team members or other associates.
- Ability to work well in a cross functional, team-oriented environment.
- Ability to work and build consensus for state, city, and local issues.
- Ability to think through processes and update and modernize where needed.
- Ability to self-manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization, including senior leadership
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact well with external agencies, offices and departments.
- Strong research, policy analysis, writing and oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively refine and present complex information in a concise way.
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
- Detail oriented and strong organizational and analytical skill
- Efficient, organized and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently, and manage multiple deadlines as needed.
- Ability to understand the long-term impact of legislation, regulation, policy decisions and strategies.
- Willingness to learn and embrace new technology as needed
- Demonstrates humility, maturity, empathy, kindness, self-awareness and good judgment
- Ability to develop creative solutions to complex problems
- Strong ability to support in the development of presentations and other communication tools.
- Ability to build, coach, and mentor collaborative teams.
- Ability to travel, as needed.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent work experience.
- 10 years of Government Relations Experience.
- Project Management legislation tracking programs and internet research experience preferred.
- Computer and MS Office skills including Access, Word, Power Point and Excel.
Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at [email protected] or 1-800-444-9292.
Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.
