MANAGER - GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Job Description:

MANAGER - GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Description

DESCRIPTION

THE PORT OF LONG BEACH IS SEEKING A MANAGER OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

(This is an at-will position)

Salary Range: $157,128.46 - $219,980.68

ABOUT US

The Port of Long Beach, one of the world's busiest seaports, is an international gateway for the reliable, efficient, and sustainable movement of goods and is a leader in environmental stewardship. Credited with moving approximately $200 billion in trade, the Port serves as a critical hub for international commerce and is a major transportation center. East Asian trade accounts for the bulk of Long Beach shipments. Port-related international trade has a wide-ranging economic impact, supporting millions of jobs that benefit the region and the entire country.

THE TEAM

The Government Relations team leads the charge in building powerful connections between the Port of Long Beach and key decision-makers, whether elected officials, legislative staff, agency leaders, or appointed officials at the local, state, and federal levels. With a sharp focus on shaping the future, the Government Relations Division goes beyond just outreach, offering expert legislative analysis and advocacy to push the Port's initiatives forward. Their mission? To champion the Port's vital programs and secure the funding needed to keep it thriving and ahead of the curve!

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Government Relations, the Government Affairs Manager is responsible for managing Government Relations staff who are responsible for the day-to-day work of implementing the Port of Long Beach’s legislative and budgetary advocacy priorities. This Position requires interacting with subject matter experts in various divisions, the Executive Management Team, the Board of Harbor Commissioners, and external parties, including elected officials and their staff, while also providing supervision to subordinate staff.

CANDIDATE CONNECT (INFORMATION SESSION)

To learn more about this exciting career opportunity and the Port of Long Beach, please join our virtual inf ormation session on Thursday, July 17 th , 2025, @ 5:00 pm PDT via MS Teams. This is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the position, speak directly with hiring leaders, ask questions, and learn why the Port of Long Beach is your employer of choice! Candidates are not required to be on camera. To join audio only, call +1 323-451-1087, Phone Conference ID: 757 916 776# Click here to join the meeting .

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

HOW YOU GET TO CONTRIBUTE:

• Assist the Director and Assistant Director in providing leadership and direction in providing direct and indirect guidance to the Government Relations Division; supervises and delegates assignments to government relations officers.
• Assist the Director and Assistant Director in providing strategic direction for the Government Relations Division to align its services and mission with the overall mission of the organization
• Manage staff responsible for analyzing proposed legislative and regulatory actions, determining the potential impact on the Port, and developing the Port's response to the legislation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key legislators and their staff, committee staff, and regulators to effectively channel the goals and desires of the Port.
• Identify and secure appropriate "Letters of Support” or “Letters of Opposition” as deemed necessary.
• Conduct detailed analyses; prepares complex reports and speeches; develops specific recommendations regarding special projects arising from federal regulations and state laws; conducts briefings to legislators regarding key Port legislative priorities; presents reports and communications to the Board of Harbor Commissioners.
• Work to coordinate meetings, objectives, and other details for advocacy trips to Washington D.C., Sacramento, and other areas.
• Work with the Board of Harbor Commissioners and senior management in directing legislative priorities; regularly coordinates with state and federal contracted lobbyists to make progress on legislative priorities to ensure that the Port strategies are effectively communicated.
• Lead, support and maintain communications between the Port and contracted lobbyists: updates lobbyists on Port events that may impact decisions in Washington, DC, at the state Capitol, and on the municipal and county level; educates lobbyists about Port issues and prepares them to respond to executive, congressional, and local elected official concerns.
• Track ongoing legislation and news stories affecting the Port operations: ensures government relations officers provide timely research, background information, bill analyses, technical assistance and recommendations regarding various legislative issues to executive management and to inform recommendations to the Board of Harbor Commissioners regarding appropriate action to take; maintains updated and accurate tracking logs on critical state and federal legislation; assures timely and accurate actions/responses to legislative inquiries or requests when received.
• Identify and secure grants for Port operations: pursues and monitors state and federal grant opportunities for key transportation/goods movement, air quality, water quality, and security-related programs and/or projects; tracks grant application process; ensures grant funding is in alignment with state and federal regulations.
• Perform strategic analyses: developing legislative strategies and making recommendations for influencing and promoting the Port’s interests on decisions impacting short and long-term goals
• Participate in strategy planning meetings; develop a legislative agenda for the Board of Harbor Commissioners consideration and approval.
• Review and analyze annual federal budget appropriations and advocate for funding benefitting Port operations, request budgeting documents, make recommendations on fiscal priorities relative to the Port, and communicate the results to the Board of Harbor Commissioners and executive management.
• Foster and maintain close working relationships with business and community-based organizations; attends Chamber, City Council, community-wide, and other public meetings as required and necessary.
• Performs other duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Government Relations, Economics, Public Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Law, Business, or related field. Experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the position’s duties may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis
• At least five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in policy development, legislative research, advocacy, or intergovernmental relations is required.
• At least two years of supervisory experience is required.
• Previous experience managing relationships with elected officials, lobbyists, consultants, and media relations to help shape positive media coverage and public opinion is expected.
• Must have a thorough understanding of the legislative processes, a proven track record of successful advocacy and achieving legislative goals, plus current relationships with elected officials, agency heads, and policymakers.
• Familiarity with the federal, state, and local legislative process is required.
• The ability to work extended hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays

TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED:

• Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness, and creativity required in situations involving the direction, control, and planning of an entire program or multiple programs.
• Ability to develop and modify existing policies, strategies, and/or methods to meet unusual conditions within the context of existing management principles required.
• Ability to manage and direct staff, including selecting, training, assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and evaluating the work of subordinate staff, including counseling and resolving conflicts, is required.
• Must be able to analyze, interpret, and explain legislative, regulatory, community, and intergovernmental public policy issues.

DESIRABLE:

• Master's Degree, MBA, or Law/JD degree desirable.
• Second language speaking ability is desirable.
• Prior Port or City experience is desired.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

You will need strong negotiation skills, political savvy, excellent client/customer relation skills, and exceptional public speaking/presentation skills to thrive. You must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various employees, vendor representatives, officials, and Port management.

If you require accommodation because of a disability in order to participate in any phase of the application/selection process, please contact (562) 283-7500 or email Careers@polb.com .

The Port of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the Port of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act or https://www.longbeach.gov/hr/about-us/talent-acquisition/the-fair-chance-act/.

The final filing date for this recruitment is Friday, July 25 th , 2025 @ 4:30 pm PDT.

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume with your application in PDF format. Incomplete applications (without a cover letter and resume) will not be considered.

Individuals who are most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a work-related assessment to evaluate candidate qualifications further. We will start conducting SparkHire video interviews the week of July 28 - August 3, 2025 (asynchronous video interviews) and conducting final round interviews the week of August 11 (in-person). Candidates should ensure availability on both dates. The successful candidate will be appointed shortly thereafter. References will be completed for finalist candidates; an employment offer is contingent on conducting a comprehensive background check.

The Port reserves the right to extend the closing date without notice in order to accept additional applications. Those individuals determined to be most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.

THE BENEFITS:

The Port of Long Beach has established an annual salary range of $157,128.46 - $219,980.68 (placement depends on qualifications An attractive package of executive-level benefits is included with the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse and dynamic areas of the United States:

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• Auto Allowance - $550.00 per month
• Executive Leave - 40 hours per year.
• Retirement - CalPERS 2% @ 62, coordinated with social security. Current member contribution is 8.00% for CalPERS, and 6.2% for Social Security, paid by the employee.
• Pay for Performance - Pay for Performance is awarded based on employee performance as demonstrated through achievement of individual goals, demonstration of required competencies, and available budget funds.
• Deferred Compensation - The City matches a percentage of base salary for qualified members contributing to the 457(b) plan.
• Group Health Insurance - Medical and dental options (HMO and PPO). Free vision coverage.
• Life Insurance - City-paid life insurance policy of $20,000 plus executive insurance benefit equal to three times annual salary up to a maximum of $500,000.
• Disability Insurance - City-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Vacation - Vacation is accrued at the equivalent of two weeks on an annual basis. Vacation can be used after six months of service. An employee’s vacation accrual may be adjusted upon hire to provide credit for previous full-time employment at a public service agency. Credit for public service shall only be given for completed years of service as a full-time permanent employee. Public Service credit shall not apply to any other benefits.
• Sick Leave - Accrued at 8 hours per month. Accruals may be converted upon retirement to cash credit toward health and /or dental insurance premiums or retirement service credits.
• Paid Parental Leave - After six (6) months of City employment, the City pays up to 30 consecutive days (160 hours) for eligible employees to take paid time to bond with the child upon birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of 17.
• Holidays - 11 scheduled holidays per calendar year and four (4) personal holidays.
• Education Reimbursement - Tuition reimbursement allows employees to obtain additional education or training.
• Annual Physical - Eligible to receive an annual physical examination at the city's expense through the city-provided program.
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness - As the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, a governmental agency, the Port of Long Beach is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• 529 college savings plan - The ScholarShare529 plan is an account that allows employees to invest specifically for future education expenses through the Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union. Funds can be used from your 529 savings plan to send your grandkids, kids, or even yourself to any accredited public or private U.S. college or university - or two-year technical or vocational institution.

The Port of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
www.polb.com

The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:

Retirement:California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) defined benefit retirement plan, which is coordinated with Social Security. The benefit is 2.5% or 2.7% (depending on hire date) @55 for "Classic" members and 2% @62 for new members as defined by PEPRA, subject to the compensation limitations set by PERS. Both the City and the employee contributes toward CalPERS retirement contributions. The city also participates in Social Security.

Health and Dental Insurance:The City offers the choice of HMO and PPO plans. The city pays major portion of the premium for employee and dependents depending on the health/ dental plan selected.

Life Insurance:City-paid term life insurance policy equal to three (3) times annual salary to a maximum of $500,000.

Disability Insurance:City-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.

Management Physical:Annual City-paid physical examination.

Vacation:Twelve (12) vacation days after the first year of service; 15 days after four years, six months of service; 20 days after 19 years, six months of service.

Executive Leave:Forty (40) hours Executive Leave per year. The City Manager has discretion to grant an additional 40 hours each year.

Sick Leave: One day earned per month; unlimited accumulation; conversion upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums, or to pension credits.

Holidays:Eleven (11) designated holidays per year, plus four personal holidays to be used at the employee's discretion.

Transportation Allowance:Monthly allowance is allocated by classifications below;

• Department Head $650.00
• Deputy Director/Manager/Director (Harbor/Utilities) $550.00
• Division Officer/Superintendent/ Chief of Staff / Administrator / Principal DCA $450.00
• Assistant to Executive / Executive Assistant / Executive Secretary/ Executive Support Staff $300.00

Deferred Compensation Plan:Optional for employee contribution to a supplementary retirement savings program available through Mission Square Retirement formerly ICMA-RC Retirement Corporation).

• Classic CalPERS Members: The City will contribute a maximum of up to two percent (2%) of base salary* for all qualified Classic CalPERS members.
• Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) CalPERS Members: Effective the second full pay period following City Council adoption, the City contribution will increase from two percent (2%) to three percent (3%) of base salary* for all qualified PEPRA CalPERS members.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA):Optional election for employees to reduce taxable income for payment of allowable childcare or medical expenses.

Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule:Available (subject to City Manager approval).

Paid Parental Leave: The City provides one hundred and sixty (160) hours of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of salary, for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child, regardless of the gender, marital status or sexual orientation of the parent.

Closing Date/Time: 7/25/2025 4:30 PM Pacific

Salary:

$157,128.46 - $219,980.68 Annually