The Manager of Federal Government Relations will assist in the development and implementation of plans to influence federal policy development enabling the company's growth and profitability strategies. The Manager will serve as an advocate for Darden in meetings with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and executive branch personnel. The individual will manage the company's grassroots network, a federal bill tracking system and internal communications mechanisms (e.g. website, DiSH) on federal affairs. The Manager will develop and lead efforts directed towards diversity relationship building with federal elected officials. The Manager will have responsibility for recommending candidates for support by Darden PAC, representing Darden PAC at fundraising events, supporting PAC recruitment and retention activities and engaging in other activities to enhance Darden's political influence. The Manager will represent Darden and exercise appropriate leadership in industry trade association and ad hoc coalition activities. The Manager will serve as an expert resource on federal affairs for Darden colleagues, cross-functional teams and operators. The Manager will develop and manage communications between Darden employees and federal officials as needed. The position reports to the Vice President, Government Relations.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advocacy & Relationship Building

-Serve as a principal advocate for Darden with Members of Congress, congressional staff and executive branch personnel; develop and executive strategies to build an sustain on-going relationships with congressional and executive branch staff

-Represent Darden in public policy activities of industry trade associations (NRA, NCCR, NRF, BRT), allied trade associations (NCBA, GMA, FMI, PMA), suppliers and ensure appropriate involvement of corporate subject matter experts

-Develop and guide issue related coalitions with third-parties, including other corporations, trade associations and public interest groups; develop and maintain relationships with federal representatives of these coalition partners; advance Darden's federal policy agenda as appropriate

-Serve as liaison between Darden business units and congressional offices, including coordination of strategy and message development, meeting arrangements and follow up

-Develop and execute opportunities to build strong relationships with external diversity groups associated with Congress (e.g. Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus); facilitate relationship building between corporate and operations representatives with congressional diversity groups; collaborate with Darden¿s Director of Diversity Outreach on strategies and engagement activities

-Research, develop, write and deliver Darden business priorities and issue positions in clear and convincing messages that are appropriate and compelling to various internal and external audiences

-Manage all aspects of compliance with federal lobbying disclosure requirements; coordinate with other Darden departments as needed

Strategy Development & Implementation

-In collaboration with Vice President of Government Relations and other department leaders, lead efforts to identify opportunities to support business development and eliminate government impediments to operations and growth

-Research, analyze, interpret, explain and make recommendations on complex legislative and federal public policy issues to a non-technical audience

-Build awareness among internal stakeholders of key federal policy decisions affecting the restaurant industry which may have an impact to Darden, our employees and/or our growth strategies; engage with these stakeholders to analyze the impact to Darden of pending federal legislative and regulatory matters

-Provide updates for Darden business leaders that allow them to anticipate and accommodate federal policy changes to minimize negative impact and optimize positive benefits to the business

Government Relations Capacity Building

- Manage all aspects of the company's grassroots network, advocacy website and federal bill tracking system including coordination with vendors and Darden IT representatives, contract negotiations, and outreach/collaboration with peers in Fortune 500 companies and the restaurant industry

-Oversee planning and execution of congressional meetings, legislative and political presentations, issue briefings and related programmatic activities during annual Darden Public Affairs Conference

-Provide training in legislative and regulatory issues to operators and other Darden personnel in connection with grassroots outreach, Darden Public Affairs Conference and other corporate venues

-Respond to requests for government relations advice, information and other assistance within areas of expertise; collaborate with other department issue experts as needed

-Serve as an active member of cross-functional teams

Political Involvement & Engagement

-Identify appropriate candidates for Darden federal PAC support; make recommendations to Vice President of Government Relations and Darden PAC Board; serve as principal staff support for Darden PAC Board/Assistant Treasurer of Darden PAC

-Organize and participate in fundraising activities for key candidates; participate in other political activities and attend political events that help ensure Congress is aware and receptive to Darden's federal legislative interests and builds relationships with key federal policymakers

-Manage all aspects of compliance with applicable federal election and campaign laws and regulations; coordinate with Darden Legal Department as needed

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

- Minimum of 3 years progressive experience in federal government relations and policy analysis or closely related work required

-Direct experience and personal knowledge of federal level contribution and lobbying rules required

-Legislative, political/campaign, corporate, trade association, contract lobbying or interest group federal government relations experience required

-Proven ability to maximize existing relationships with federal officials required

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

-Bachelor's degree required (public/business administration, political science, public policy or a closely related field);

OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

-Extraordinary ability to develop relationships with diverse individuals and audiences required

-Exemplary communication skills with both written and oral communications required

-Budget management experience required

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

-Post-graduate degree preferred (MBA or related degree)

-Campaign experience is a plus for this role

-Experience in campaign finance including PAC preferred

-Experience working in a federal legislative or executive government office preferred

-Experience in public communication including congressional testimony, internal newsletters, etc. preferred

-Knowledge of "state of the art' means of legislative advocacy required; grass roots mobilization experience preferred

LOCATION:

-Position will reside in Washington, DC at Darden's Federal Government Relations Office

Candidates should send resumes to: SLock@Darden.com.