Job Description

The IIA’s Director of Public Sector and U.S. State Advocacy will operate as a lead advocate in advancing both the organization’s U.S. state-level public policy and thought leadership goals and its global agenda related to internal audit public policy in the public sector. This is a hybrid work position (~30-40% in office) that requires the individual to be based in the greater Washington, DC area. The Director will report to the Vice President for North American Advocacy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

General

• Educate policymakers about internal auditing, The IIA, its certifications and standards, and various relevant policy issues, while positioning the organization as a highly trusted expert resource and thought leader
• Collaborate on and help to create lobby packets, position papers, testimony, public comment letters, briefing memos, multimedia, PowerPoint presentations, web content, and social media which advance the organization’s advocacy goals
• Launch campaigns to advance The IIA’s public policy goals, including overseeing the drafting of legislative recommendations, the building of coalitions, and coordinating with The IIA’s Communications/Media team to drive and manage media coverage and social media engagement
• Provide support, as needed, to The IIA’s US Federal Advocacy Program and the Global Advocacy Program
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

US State Advocacy

• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with key state-level stakeholders including governors, state auditors, state legislators, regulatory agencies, and non-governmental organizations
• Track relevant state legislative proposals, hearings, rules, regulations, public comment periods, and other government policy proposals of interest to The IIA
• Identify emerging political risks and opportunities at the state-level and formulate appropriate responses to advance the best interests of The IIA, its members, the internal audit profession, and the public
• Ensure organizational compliance with all relevant state lobbying laws and registration requirements
• Engage members, chapter leaders, and other stakeholders for advisory feedback through various volunteer councils, committees, and other channels

Public Sector Advocacy

• Advocate for a comprehensive understanding by policymakers of public sector auditing which includes, but is not limited to: organizational structure, independence requirements, professional qualifications, standards recognition, etc.
• Support the direct adoption by US and Canadian policymakers, where possible, the key elements of The IIA’s Public Sector Global Public Policy Position Paper and other official policy positions related to public sector internal auditing
• Support The IIA’s Global Advocacy Team and The IIA’s federation of national institutes in promoting the adoption of the organization’s public sector internal audit best practices around the world

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably with a major in political science, economics, accounting, auditing, or public policy; a Master’s degree or J.D. is a plus
• At least eight years working in public policymaking, lobbying, or government relations; this may include service in a gubernatorial, congressional or Senate office, a state-level legislative office, a state or federal agency, and/or a membership organization or corporation
• The ability to build and maintain strong bipartisan relationships, with an already established set of relationships with governors, state legislators, and national organizations supporting state-level officials
• Demonstrated experience prioritizing and balancing multiple, on-going high-profile projects with the ability to meet critical deadlines
• Strong management skills with a proven ability to lead by influence and consensus.
• Self-motivation and an ability to work independently. Demonstrated significant attention to detail
• Subject matter familiarity with internal auditing, assurance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fraud, governance, risk, internal controls, data privacy, and blockchain policy is a plus

Writing and Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common professional and technical documents. Ability to respond to various inquiries from key internal and external stakeholders. Strong writing skills with the ability to explain technical concepts in language readily understood by a layperson. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, elected officials and their staff, and/or boards of directors. Multiple language skills are an asset to any role within The IIA.

Computer Skills

• Intermediate to expert level of competency with all Microsoft office products, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• This is a hybrid position in which the individual will be required to work out of The IIA’s office in Washington, DC, at a minimum, two days a week, three weeks out of the month.
• Occasional travel within North America as warranted, including periodic travel to our headquarters in Lake Mary, Florida.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are expecting this job to pay a base salary of $130,000- $150,000 annually. Our health insurance benefits comprise of Medical, Dental and Vision.