Senior Vice President

Job Summary

The Senior Vice President for Public Affairs is responsible for developing and leading an integrated public affairs strategy that advances the organization’s policy, legislative, and reputational objectives. This role oversees strategic communications, advocacy campaigns, and political programs, ensuring alignment across internal teams and external partners. The SVP serves as a key advisor to the President and CEO, senior leadership and works closely with the government affairs, legal, and policy teams to drive measurable advocacy outcomes.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies that support advocacy and political objectives across earned, paid, and owned channels.
• Shape and deliver clear, compelling narratives to policymakers, stakeholders, members, media, and the public.
• Oversee message development informed by research, polling, and audience insights.
• Serve as a senior spokesperson or messaging advisor, as appropriate.
• Oversee acquisition, cultivation, and activation of API’s national and state-level grassroots and grasstops programs.
• Direct issue advocacy campaigns advancing organizational priorities.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and campaign finance laws.
• Coordinate political programs with broader communications strategies.
• Oversee campaign planning, execution, and reporting.
• Provide strategic leadership to public affairs and communications teams, including providing opportunities for growth and development.
• Partner with the Management Team to ensure a collaborative, positive and productive culture consistent with API principles.
• Lead member-driven Communications Committee in partnership with the member co-chair.

Supervisory Responsibilities and Key Success Factors

• Provides staff leadership to the Public Affairs Division with direct reports including VP Communications and VP of Public Affairs. This includes providing a strategic vision, consistent and timely decision-making and opportunities for staff growth and development.
• Strategic judgment and executive presence.
• Collaborative, mission-driven leadership.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into persuasive messaging.
• High ethical standards and attention to compliance.

Key Relationships

• Reports to CEO. Strong collaboration with all members of the Management Team, to ensure organizational alignment.
• Develops and maintains professional and effective working relationships with API staff and external contacts including, but not limited to member company representatives, consultants, vendors, coalition/trade association partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience, advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 20 years of senior experience in public affairs, advocacy, or political campaigns.
• Minimum of 10 years of management experience including ability to manage people, programs, and projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in integrated advocacy strategies.
• Strong understanding of political and regulatory environments.
• Proven track record of leading, influencing and managing their team, members and stakeholders through change and growth.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including presentation of views to corporate executives.
• Familiarity with issues that have an impact on the natural gas and oil industry.

Physical Requirements

• Able to remain in a stationary position working on a computer.
• Move about the office to access office machinery, meeting rooms, etc. on occasion.
• Operate a computer and other office machinery such as printers and copy machines.
• Transport items and equipment up to 10 lbs. on occasion.

Travel Requirements

• 25%

Percentage of travel time expected for the position where the travel occurs, such as locally or in specific countries or states, and whether the travel is overnight.

This job desciption outlines the typical accountabilities and requirements of the position and should not be construed as an all-encompassing description of every duty performed by or expected of the incumbent.

EEO Statement

API is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Our success in maintaining a reputation for professional excellence depends on selecting the best qualified candidates. Achieving this objective means that no employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, age, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, and reproductive health decisions), genetic information, national origin, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, matriculation, credit information, the status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual offense, or any prohibited basis under federal, state or local law.

API is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Department via email at HumanResources@api.org.

The anticipated base salary range for this D.C.-based role is $500-600K with bonus eligibility. Candidates are typically hired at a point in the salary range based on prior experience, education, and market demand for the role; candidates are also compared internally to their peers.

API offers a comprehensive benefits package for our employees and their families. More information about our benefits may be found at api.org/about/careers/benefits.