Vice President, Government Affairs - HirexHire

ABOUT US

HirexHire (pronounced hire by hire) is a Chicago-based recruiting and talent consultancy that integrates with companies short-term to provide long-term talent solutions. We take a seat in our client’s everyday operations to understand their people goals, gaps, and challenges. We then develop and implement the processes and technologies to execute a sustainable and scalable talent plan.

We partner with companies expecting or experiencing high growth which need to hire at scale or fill a critical role rapidly. Our clients are not looking for quick-fix placements but are thoughtfully building a hiring strategy to scale their businesses.

OUR CLIENT 

Location: Chicago, IL

Industry: Consumer Staple Products, Cannabis

Company Size: 4,000+ Employees

What They Do: Our client in the cannabis industry currently operates in a quarter of the country with double-digit retail locations and a triple-digit growth rate making them one of the fastest-growing companies in North America. As they avidly tackle nationwide development with cultivation facilities, dispensaries, and their headquarters in Chicago – the demand to fill their teams is at an all-time high.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a seasoned Vice President of Government Affairs to lead and expand our client's government relations initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the U.S. government landscape, corporate lobbying, and a strong network of relationships.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Direct and represent the company in governmental and regulatory affairs, advocating for corporate interests at state, federal, and local levels.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive government affairs strategy aligned with business objectives, ensuring proactive engagement with legislative bodies.

• Initiate and strengthen relationships with key government agencies and officials, focusing on advocacy and policy influence.

• Recruit, mentor, and expand the Government Affairs team in priority markets to enhance strategic capacity and operational effectiveness.

• Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with government, community, trade, and business leaders to effectively influence public policy and legislative outcomes.

• Collaborate with lobbyists and external consultants to draft, propose, and advocate for legislation that aligns with GTI’s business goals.

• Monitor and analyze changes in the legislative and regulatory landscape, crafting responsive strategies to mitigate risks and leverage opportunities.

• Ensure compliance with federal and state registration, lobbying disclosure laws, and ethical standards governing government interactions.

• Prepare and present insightful materials to GTI senior management, effectively communicating the impact of legislative developments on business operations.

WHAT YOU WILL LIKELY NEED

• 9+ years of experience in legal, lobbying, policy, or government affairs roles within heavily regulated industries, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management capacity.

• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic government affairs policies and procedures that support organizational growth and compliance.

• Exceptional project and people management skills, with a proactive, detail-oriented approach to anticipating challenges and delivering solutions.

• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, with a track record of building consensus and fostering collaboration.

• Advanced communication skills, with the capacity to distill complex legal and regulatory concepts for non-legal stakeholders.

• High degree of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct, especially when managing confidential information and sensitive relationships.

• Willingness to travel as necessary to support government relations activities and stakeholder engagement.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass any required background checks.

• Must comply with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry.

• This is a remote position; ideally, candidates should be located in IL, PA, or WA.