Director of Government Affairs
Government Affairs Department
Based in Los Angeles, CA
What You Will Do
The Directors Guild of America is seeking to fill the full-time, in person position of Director of Government Affairs. The position manages legislative affairs for the Guild. The position reports to the Associate National Executive Director and is responsible for implementing the Guild's legislative, regulatory, and governmental policy priorities, goals, and strategies on a federal, state, and international level. The position is also responsible for the DGA's non-partisan Political Action Committee (DGA PAC) and all related activities. The successful candidate will oversee and manage the Guild's professional lobbyists in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento.
Primary Responsibly: Policy Development and Implementation:
- Take the lead role in recommending and executing Guild policy in coordination and collaboration with the National Executive Director and Associate National Executive Director in the following three areas: Federal and State Governmental Affairs, International Governmental Affairs, and the DGA's Political Action Committee (PAC).
Specific Duties and Tasks: Federal and State Government Affairs
- Responsible for implementing the DGA's legislative agenda on different governmental levels in order to address a range of issues that impact Guild members including state and federal production tax incentives, artificial intelligence, copyright and intellectual property protection, media consolidation, pension and health care and other issues as they arise. This includes:
- Manage the day to day activities of the Guild's lobbying firms in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, CA, including both determination and implementation of agreed upon lobbying strategies.
- Outreach to organizations both within and outside the industry as appropriate.
- Organize issue-oriented and industry-based coalitions taking on a leadership role as necessary.
- Draft policy and position papers, speeches, letters, and other materials relevant to analysis and presentation of the Guild's positions and distribute such materials as directed.
- Make periodic presentations, as needed, to the National Board, Western Directors Council, and other internal Guild groups and external organizations as directed.
- Coordinate with various government agencies (e.g., USCO, FCC) on policy issues.
Specific Duties and Tasks: International Affairs
- Responsible for managing the Guild's international government affairs:
- Monitor issues before the European Commission and other international bodies, as needed and as they may impact the Guild.
- Coordinate with other Guilds and Unions (domestic and international) and the MPA, on an as needed basis, on international issues of common concern.
- Interact with U.S. based international organizations and/or governmental agencies when DGA involvement is required.
- Prepare international governmental affairs materials for the National Board, and occasionally for the Western Directors Council.
Specific Duties and Tasks: Political Action Committee
- Responsible for managing the DGA Political Action Committee, including developing yearly strategic recommendations for PAC activities, fundraising, and distribution of PAC dollars:
- Oversee the creation and maintenance of the fundraising outreach lists and the processing of payments.
- Write all fundraising letters; manage their distribution; conduct personal fundraising calls, maintain lists and follow up.
- Assess and recommend PAC contributions in consultation with DGA state and federal lobbyists.
- Coordinate the distribution of PAC funds to elected officials through direct contact and ongoing maintenance of relationships.
- Create programs for PAC contributors, which will include a series of DGA PAC Leadership Council meetings with Members of Congress and other elected officials at the Guild offices in LA and NY.
- Produce annual reports for DGA PAC Committee, and quarterly reports for DGA National Board.
- Write and edit the portions of PAC speeches to membership that refer to governmental or international affairs.
What You will Need
- Minimum 7+ years of relevant experience
- Strong writing ability
- Research, analytic and strategic skills
- Ability to manage disparate issues and multiple activities at one time.
What You will Get
- Health coverage: Medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your eligible dependents.
- Retirement: A 401(k) with a DGA match, plus participation in two DGA pension plans.
- Insurance: Life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance, paid in full by the DGA.
- Paid time off: Vacation that grows with years of service, generous sick leave, a floating holiday, and 11 paid holidays.
- Paid parental leave: Up to 8 weeks of fully paid bonding leave for eligible employees.
- Financial wellness: Free, confidential financial planning and access to the SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union.
- Additional perks: Complimentary DGA Membership Screening, free parking and EV charging, flexible spending accounts, and Employee Assistance Program, and employee discounts.
The salary range for this position: $140,000 - $160,000
All candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to be considered as well as provide three references.
