Job Details
About the role:
We are hiring two government affairs manager positions to join our team: one for King County and one for Snohomish County. Reporting to the Director of Government Affairs, these roles will serve as the day-to-day government affairs managers for their assigned geographies, focusing on governmental, legislative, and regulatory issues affecting housing. These positions are tasked with establishing and maintaining effective and deep relationships with diverse groups of Association members and external stakeholders, including county and city elected officials, jurisdictional staff, and other external partners.
Each position is assigned a specific geographic portfolio and responsible for continuous engagement with MBAKS members, identifying government affairs needs, and collaborating on positive solutions. The GA manager is also expected to take on additional duties within the Master Builders Government Affairs team as needed.
The ideal candidate has experience in government affairs and public policy, preferably in King and/or Snohomish Counties and cities. Candidates should be familiar with the Growth Management Act in Washington, the home building industry, and housing/zoning policies. Experience working on legislative policy proposals and effecting regulatory change is preferred.
Core Responsibilities (More about the role):
- Build and foster productive working relationships across a variety of constituencies, including the MBA s Board of Directors, staff members, association members, partner organizations, government officials, the broader real estate community, and municipal government officials and staff.
- Lead and support MBAKS monthly builder council meeting. This includes managing the logistics, speakers, agenda, and reporting out on GA activities.
- Implement MBAKS housing agenda and establish themself as an authoritative figure on these issues.
- Maintain awareness of key priorities, proposed legislation, and regulatory issues in assigned jurisdictions that affect homebuilding, remodeling, and development industries.
- Participate in a collaborative and positive working environment with the government affairs team that emphasizes teamwork and collaboration.
- Establish and grow relationships that assist and coordinate with other organizations also working to build community in King & Snohomish County.
- Proactively work in fast-paced, organized work environment with ease and ability to maintain a productive self-driven workplan.
- Ability to analyze, gather stakeholder input and effectively respond to proposed, complex legislation.
- Other duties as assigned.
This description is intended to provide an overview of the responsibilities and duties of this position. It is not all-inclusive. The responsibilities may change over time.
Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Characteristics:
- Bachelor s degree or equivalent government relations experience.
- Strong interest or experience in housing policy issues.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- Competitive nature and independent starter with a strong work ethic.
- Strong relationship builder with high degree of integrity, responsiveness and reliability.
- Experience presenting complex information to executive level groups and facilitating conversation.
- Exceptional verbal and written communications skills coupled with outstanding listening skills.
- Technical proficiency and expertise in using a wide range of communications applications, including Microsoft Office products, such as Word and Excel and willingness to learn and master Aptify and Smartsheet technology.
Preferred Experience:
Experience in local government affairs/politics, in King and/or Snohomish County preferred.
Supervisory Responsibility:
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities, but the incumbent may be assigned supervisory duties depending upon MBA needs.
Other Desired Qualifications:
- Min. 5 years experience in government affairs
- Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities and variable workloads
- Proactive approach to problem solving with strong decision-making capability
- Analytical and decisive decision maker with the ability to prioritize and communicate key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve success.
- Must be able to function with a high degree of autonomy, confidentiality, and professionalism.
- Fun. Yes, professional and fun.
Employee Benefits:
Ridiculously important organizational purpose
Awesome coworkers, which sometimes includes our dogs
Medical, dental, vision, life insurance
Hybrid work environment, and private offices
401(k) plan with 4% match
Vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays
On-site gym, mediocre but functional locker rooms included
Free parking with EV charging
Maternity and paternity benefit
Office snacks. Frankly, probably too many.
Employee assistance program
Team outings and events that are more fun than a barrel of monkeys
Week off between Christmas and New Year s
A culture where we take our cause, but not ourselves, seriously
Compensation:
Salary $100,000-$110,000, depending on level of experience.
About the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties:
The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the oldest and largest residential homebuilding association in the country. We are the leading voice for residential building professionals in our rapidly growing region. MBAKS members are the folks who build and remodel the places we call home. We work to ensure there is adequate supply of housing attainable to all because we firmly believe everyone deserves a place to call home.
In addition to advocating on behalf of the homebuilding industry, MBAKS sponsors a widely respected health insurance trust for our members and their families, as well as a workers compensation reimbursement opportunity through the Group Retroactive Insurance Program (GRIP) for members with admirable workplace safety records.
MBAKS produces more than 200 events a year for our various committees and councils, those interested in sustainable development, Professional Women in Building, and more. These events offer networking opportunities, education, and recognition of members for their excellence in the field.
MBAKS government affairs team works closely with our membership to advocate for policies that that will improve the climate for homebuilding in the Puget Sound region. We encourage building homes, not barriers to do so. We do this by promoting an increased supply of all types of housing through improved zoning, regulatory reform, permit efficiencies, and a net increase in lot supply. MBAKS advocates primarily at the local level, but also at the state and sometimes national levels. We also work to partner with other individuals and organizations that can help to elevate residential housing issues, as well as educate our members regarding the value of their engagement in our advocacy initiatives. Separately, the MBAKS Affordable Housing Council works to elect pro-housing candidates to public office.
In summary, it s the most important and coolest place to work imaginable.
MBAKS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
This description is provided for informational purposes only and does not form the basis of a contract.
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.