Founded over 150 years ago, Guardian Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries are committed to protecting individuals, business owners and their employees with life and long-term care insurance, disability income, dental insurance, mutual funds, annuities, 401(k), and other financial products and trust services. In 1925, Guardian converted from a mixed stock and mutual company to a wholly mutual company. As of December 31, 2010, Guardian and its subsidiaries reports over $33 billion in total admitted assets on a consolidated statutory basis, and statutory income before dividends of $1.1 billion, up 6.6% from the prior year. The company declared record distribution of dividends to policyholders of $740 million for 2010. Guardian concluded 2010 with risk based capital (RBC Ratio) of 492%, which reflects one of the strongest capital positions in the life insurance industry. Guardian's high ratings were affirmed by all four ratings agencies in 2010. The company is the only life insurer to be upgraded by two rating agencies in 2008, and affirmed in 2009 and 2010 demonstrating strong stability in investment performance, capital position, risk management, and operating performance. The company has more than 5,000 employees in the United States, and a network of 3,200 financial representatives in more than 80 agencies nationwide.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
The position reports to the EVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary. This position will interface regularly and closely the President & CEO and Vice President, Government Relations and Law.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Based in Washington, DC, the VP of Federal Affairs will be a member of the Government Relations team which has overall responsibility for leading and managing external affairs, public policy and government relations programs at the state and federal levels. The VP will work in a collaborative manner to strategically position the company as a leading voice in the dialogue regarding relevant external affairs and public policy legislative and regulatory matters. He/she will be highly skilled at anticipating, identifying and addressing emerging federal government, public policy and legislation that could affect Guardian. Working closely and in collaboration with the company's senior executive team, business leaders and members of the Government Relations team, the VP will assess potential impacts of federal public policy and legislative issues and develop and implement comprehensive strategic and tactical plans to protect and advance the interests of the company. The VP will ensure that Guardian senior executives understand the evolving government and public policy landscape at the federal level and are proactively involved in any matters that could potentially affect the company.
The VP will be a key member of the Government Relations organization which is charged with leading the company efforts to address external affairs and public policy matters of national and local importance. He/she will be expected to ensure that the company is among the leading voices in public policy debates affecting its interests and businesses. As such, she/he will be an advocate and spokesperson for the company in Washington and will be expected to represent with knowledge, persuasion, distinction and enthusiasm. The VP will have shared responsibility for cultivating and maintaining effective relationships, and with senior executives and the Government Relations officers will ensure the company is effectively and strategically involved in critical trade associations and with relevant industry groups and coalitions. He/she will work in a collaborative manner with other Government Relations professionals to effectively work with and manage a small network of outside consultants, to advance the goals of the company with respect to complicated federal government, legislative and public policy issues.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Leadership and Execution:
The successful candidate will be a skilled advocate, with outstanding communications skills, both written and verbal. She/he must have the ability to build relationships and use influence effectively in a variety of settings, within the company and with external constituencies, including policy makers, government officials and trade/industry associations. Demonstrated experience in matters related to the life insurance industry, its products and services, along with possessing established relationships with policymakers, opinion leaders and others in Washington is preferable. Specific life insurance and financial service trade association relationships are also highly desirable. The VP will be comfortable in being a key member of the Government Relations Organization in being one of the public faces of the company in Washington, and equally at ease working in the background to support other members of the executive team and Government Relations Organization when it may be more appropriate for them to represent the company on a federal legislative or regulatory matter. .
The successful candidate will be results-oriented and have outstanding judgment to make decisions that are good for the overall company. He/she must have the organizational acumen necessary to thrive in a matrixed organization where different businesses may have different perspectives and needs. The VP will have the executive presence and interpersonal skill to work effectively with others in senior management, peers, and external stakeholders. The individual must be a team player, work collaboratively, build consensus and demonstrate good listening skills. She/he must be able to synthesize different perspectives and develop positions that will be supported by multiple stakeholders. The VP must possess confidence, balanced with humility and knowledge of her/his own strengths and limitations. He/she will have the highest integrity, committed to doing the right thing by others, having the courage of his/her own convictions, and adhering to core principles and values of the Company.
EDUCATION:
A Bachelors degree is required. A JD is preferred but candidates with relevant work experience on the "Hill" and in Washington will be given serious consideration.
RESUME SUBMISSION:
Please apply using the following link:
https://jobs-guardianlife.icims.com/jobs/6190/job?&sn=PAC
SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL 08/09/11
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
The position reports to the EVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary. This position will interface regularly and closely the President & CEO and Vice President, Government Relations and Law.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Based in Washington, DC, the VP of Federal Affairs will be a member of the Government Relations team which has overall responsibility for leading and managing external affairs, public policy and government relations programs at the state and federal levels. The VP will work in a collaborative manner to strategically position the company as a leading voice in the dialogue regarding relevant external affairs and public policy legislative and regulatory matters. He/she will be highly skilled at anticipating, identifying and addressing emerging federal government, public policy and legislation that could affect Guardian. Working closely and in collaboration with the company's senior executive team, business leaders and members of the Government Relations team, the VP will assess potential impacts of federal public policy and legislative issues and develop and implement comprehensive strategic and tactical plans to protect and advance the interests of the company. The VP will ensure that Guardian senior executives understand the evolving government and public policy landscape at the federal level and are proactively involved in any matters that could potentially affect the company.
The VP will be a key member of the Government Relations organization which is charged with leading the company efforts to address external affairs and public policy matters of national and local importance. He/she will be expected to ensure that the company is among the leading voices in public policy debates affecting its interests and businesses. As such, she/he will be an advocate and spokesperson for the company in Washington and will be expected to represent with knowledge, persuasion, distinction and enthusiasm. The VP will have shared responsibility for cultivating and maintaining effective relationships, and with senior executives and the Government Relations officers will ensure the company is effectively and strategically involved in critical trade associations and with relevant industry groups and coalitions. He/she will work in a collaborative manner with other Government Relations professionals to effectively work with and manage a small network of outside consultants, to advance the goals of the company with respect to complicated federal government, legislative and public policy issues.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Provide support to the CEO in her involvement with key federal government officials, trade associations, and activities in promoting the company's federal legislative and regulatory initiatives
- Provide access to and liaison with Congressional leaders and federal regulators as necessary
- Provide insight to the business units regarding new and existing federal legislation/regulation and impact on company business and practices
- Draft and present policy papers, memoranda pertaining to proposed legislation and issue briefs for management upon request of the CEO, OCEO, General Counsel, VP for Government Relations and Senior Management
- Coordinate federal regulatory and legislative activities with Corporate Communications, charitable giving and public relations activities and other government relations professionals.
- Support federal PAC, grassroots organizations, fundraising and trade association activities
Leadership and Execution:
- Develop high-quality business relationships with the CEO and Executive Management to maximize trust and productivity
- Consistently provide timely and high quality government relations and external affairs services with limited resources and ensure that the company's business is conducted within appropriate legal parameters
- Maintain a proper balance between business and external affairs and legislative objectives to achieve appropriate outcomes that are efficient and responsive to all relevant requirements
- Anticipate legislative and regulatory change, communicate that change with a sense of urgency, and offer concrete, cost-effective solutions to deal with and take advantage of such change.
- Protect, maintain and enhance the company's reputation both at the federal government level and within industry groups
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with other government relations professionals to develop a comprehensive vision and strategic plan for a company and then execute to deliver results
- Wisdom and vision capable of helping develop and implement sophisticated public policy strategies during a time of great evolution and change
- Skilled at working with business leaders to determine how the public policy function can promote business goals and objectives
- Excellent judgment to make decisions on sophisticated business and public policy issues, and act with a view toward what is in the best interest of the company
- A creative thinker who can develop and persuasively articulate public policy ideas and solutions that may be different from the prevailing or conventional view
The successful candidate will be a skilled advocate, with outstanding communications skills, both written and verbal. She/he must have the ability to build relationships and use influence effectively in a variety of settings, within the company and with external constituencies, including policy makers, government officials and trade/industry associations. Demonstrated experience in matters related to the life insurance industry, its products and services, along with possessing established relationships with policymakers, opinion leaders and others in Washington is preferable. Specific life insurance and financial service trade association relationships are also highly desirable. The VP will be comfortable in being a key member of the Government Relations Organization in being one of the public faces of the company in Washington, and equally at ease working in the background to support other members of the executive team and Government Relations Organization when it may be more appropriate for them to represent the company on a federal legislative or regulatory matter. .
The successful candidate will be results-oriented and have outstanding judgment to make decisions that are good for the overall company. He/she must have the organizational acumen necessary to thrive in a matrixed organization where different businesses may have different perspectives and needs. The VP will have the executive presence and interpersonal skill to work effectively with others in senior management, peers, and external stakeholders. The individual must be a team player, work collaboratively, build consensus and demonstrate good listening skills. She/he must be able to synthesize different perspectives and develop positions that will be supported by multiple stakeholders. The VP must possess confidence, balanced with humility and knowledge of her/his own strengths and limitations. He/she will have the highest integrity, committed to doing the right thing by others, having the courage of his/her own convictions, and adhering to core principles and values of the Company.
EDUCATION:
A Bachelors degree is required. A JD is preferred but candidates with relevant work experience on the "Hill" and in Washington will be given serious consideration.
RESUME SUBMISSION:
Please apply using the following link:
https://jobs-guardianlife.icims.com/jobs/6190/job?&sn=PAC
SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL 08/09/11
