Government Affairs Specialist

Reston, VA, USA
Posted on  

Job Description

Gov't Affairs Incentive Strategy Spec

Volkswagen Group of America


The role will be responsible for coordinating Electrify America’s strategy and implementing efforts to apply for funding from 50 states, and hundreds of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and Local governments, who will be administering $7.5B in Federal EV infrastructure grant funding included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, expected to pass the US Congress this month and already publically supported by President Biden. Each state and MPO will be allocated a budget, via formula, with which they must contract with a “private entity,” such as Electrify America, to build and operate public charging stations. This role will be responsible for:

Coordinating a nationwide campaign of relationship-building and sales, to inform state DOT decision makers of Electrify America capabilities and capacities before competitive solicitations are issued;

Managing executive cross-functional coordination within Electrify America, in order to ensure that interests of different business units, including Boost investment planning activities and Electrify Commercial, are incorporated into the Electrify America strategy and prioritization process;

Lead the cross-functional quantitative evaluation of the states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) administering $7.5B in Federal funding to (1) identify the program administrators with the most funding, (2) identify the markets where Electrify America investment is most economically viable, and (3) identify the markets where Electrify America is most likely to win funding, with the goal of prioritizing Electrify America outreach efforts.

Implement a strategy to prioritize Electrify America activities and resources consistent with the quantitative evaluation results.

Track and monitor other Federal, state and local government grants, rebates, and other incentives (e.g., the $3.5B ZEV Budget Package adopted by California in June, to be distributed via new grant programs over the next three years) that could affect Electrify America’s business, in addition to the $7.5B program, and include evaluation of these opportunities in the quantitative evaluation of opportunities.

Prepare applications, presentations, status reports, and all other materials necessary for Electrify America to solicit and receive grants, rebates, and incentives available to Electrify America investments and operations.

Foresee new opportunities for grants, rebates and other incentives that advance the interests of Electrify America and develop strategies to pursue those activities.

Manage new resources, including consulting firms, grant-writing firms, and lobbying firms, that Electrify America will need to add in order to compete for $7.5B in available Federal funding through RFPs, and to comply with grant requirements upon award.

Role Responsibilities:

Coordinating the internal prioritization process (40%)

Evaluate $7.5B in new funding opportunities quantitatively, managing cross-functionally;

Executive-level coordination;

Prioritize opportunities, and implement an outreach strategy based on Electrify America interests.

Managing a robust sales and outreach strategy (30%)

Based on established priorities, build the relationships and conduct the outreach to states and MPOs necessary to allow Electrify America to win competitive solicitations for a significant portion of the $7.5B in federal funding administered by states and MPOs;

Develop and manage the capacity to sell Electrify America capabilities, including by leveraging contractors with expertise and bandwidth.

Present company proposals and positions in meetings with government officials.

Support communication efforts with government representatives, industry representatives & representatives of other entities involved in seeking or receiving government incentives.

Participate in the Electric Vehicle committees, national associations, think tank dialogues, etc. related to the above matters.

Grant/Incentive Applications (20%)

Draft, submit and track incentive applications, mandatory reports, and other materials necessary for Electrify America to seek and receive government incentives.

Incentive Policy Analysis (10%)

Analyze & explain the impact of government incentives as they relate to investments made both within and outside of Electrify America’s obligations outlined in appendix C of the partial consent decree

Draft & disseminate internal analyses & reports regarding incentive programs and policy developments.

Draft statements of corporate positions on incentive programs and policies including memoranda, fact sheets & comments.

Qualifications:

Years of Experience:

5 - 7 years of experience

Education:

Bachelors Degree - required

Master's degree in Public Affairs - desired

Skills:

Analytical and conceptual thinking – using logic and reasoning, creative and strategic

Communication skills – interpersonal, presentation and written

Sales skills – the ability to present and win business and funding from third parties

Computer savvy – skilled in the use of software

Influencing and negotiation skills

Problem solving

Resource allocation and management – the ability to evaluate funding opportunities from 50+ states and hundreds of local governments, identify opportunities for Electrify America, and prioritize resources

Specialized Skills:

Required:

5-7+ years of experience in government affairs, grant program administration, grant application competition, or related experience

3-5 years of proven success administering and/or competing for technology research, development, and deployment grants in the sustainable transportation space, and experience writing or reviewing grant applications, RFPs, rebate applications; developing EV charging incentive programs; or similar.

2-4 years of proven success presenting grant proposals and/or grant results to program administrators.

Desired:

Established relationships with Governmental Agencies, especially state Departments of Transportation anticipated to administer $7.5B in Federal EV infrastructure grant funding over the next five years.

Experience complying with reporting and record keeping requirements associated with government grants or incentives.

Work Flexibility:

N/A

Volkswagen Group of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.