Vice President, Government Affairs

Overview

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Western & Southern Financial Group's government affairs function. Responsible for shaping and advancing the company's public policy agenda at the federal, state and local levels while ensuring alignment with business objectives. Advises the CEO, General Counsel and executive leadership on legislative and regulatory risks and opportunities, builds strong relationships with policymakers, and ensures compliance with lobbying and ethics requirements. Oversees the W&S PAC and its contributions to candidates, the annual solicitation of officers, and FEC filings. Represents Western & Southern in key industry trade groups such as ACLI, ALIC, AOLIC, NAIC, NOHLGA and LICONY, as well as other coalitions. Provides advocacy on priority issues impacting insurance, financial services, taxation, retirement security, technology, and emerging regulatory matters.

Responsibilities

What you will do:

• Develops and leads the company's government affairs strategy, aligning advocacy efforts with long-term corporate goals.
• Monitors and analyzes legislative, regulatory, and political developments at the federal, state, and local levels, providing timely insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Represents Western & Southern before legislators, regulators, and trade associations; builds bipartisan relationships to advance company objectives.
• Actively participates in and represents the company within industry organizations such as ACLI, ALIC, AOLIC, NAIC, NOHLGA, and LICONY, shaping collective advocacy and policy priorities. • Attends three NAIC meetings and four NOLHGA meetings annually (typically 3-4 days each)• Serves on three state guaranty association boards (OH, IN & GA)
• Leads advocacy efforts on priority issues including insurance regulation, financial services policy, tax, retirement security, data privacy, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence governance.
• Acts as primary liaison to business organizations including the Business Roundtable, the Ohio Business Roundtable, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.
• Drafts correspondence for executive leadership on a wide variety of business, regulatory and political issues.
• Advises the CEO, executive team and Board on potential risks, opportunities, and strategic responses related to public policy.
• Serves as Treasurer of the W&S PAC and oversees its contributions to candidates, the annual solicitation of officers, and all FEC filings. Vets and facilitates compliance approvals of proposed political contributions by CEO.
• Ensures compliance with lobbying disclosure laws, campaign finance rules and ethics standards.
• Collaborates with internal leaders across Law, Compliance, Risk, IT, Operations, and Corporate Communications to ensure unified advocacy and messaging.
• Manages relationships with external consultants, lobbyists, and government relations counterparts.
• Prepares summaries for executive leadership on legislative activity, regulatory trends, and advocacy outcomes.
• Leads and develops the government affairs team, fostering a culture of integrity, transparency, and effective engagement.
• Represents the company in political, economic, civic, and industry forums, enhancing Western & Southern's reputation and influence. Regularly attends political fundraisers and events.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Business, Actuarial or related field - Required
• Master's Degree Public Policy, Law, or related advanced degree - Preferred
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, legislative, or regulatory roles in insurance, financial services, or related industries. Required - Required
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing advocacy strategies with measurable outcomes. - Required
• Strong experience building and maintaining bipartisan relationships with legislators, regulators, and industry stakeholders. - Preferred
• Proven leadership and team management skills with ability to influence at the highest levels of business and government. - Required
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with ability to convey complex policy issues clearly. - Required
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills in dynamic environments. - Required
• In-depth knowledge of insurance and financial services regulatory frameworks. - Preferred
• Ability to anticipate and respond to rapidly evolving political, legislative and regulatory landscapes. - Required
• Familiarity with AI governance, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. - Required
• Skilled at stakeholder engagement, coalition building and representing corporate interests externally. - Required
• High ethical standards and integrity in all advocacy efforts. - Required
• Must exercise great discretion and complete confidentiality while dealing with a variety of sensitive issues. - Required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and experience with policy tracking and reporting systems. - Required

Work Setting/Position Demands:

• Works in an office setting and remains in a stationary position for long periods of time while working at a desk, on a computer or with other standard office equipment, or while in meetings.
• Requires the ability to verbally communicate and exchange accurate information to customers and associates on a regular basis.
• Requires visual acuity to read and interpret a variety of correspondence, procedures, reports and forms via paper and electronic documents, visual inspection involving small defects; small parts, and/or operation of machinery (including inspection); using measurement devices continuously. Visual acuity is required to determine accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.
• Requires the ability to prepare written correspondence, reports and forms using prescribed formats and conforming to rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style on a regular basis.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Performs substantial movement of wrists, hands, and fingers for continuous computer work.
• Extended hours required during peak workloads or special projects/events.
• Associate must be able to operate a motor vehicle for short and/or long distances
• Associate must be able to travel via airplane
• Associate must be able to travel via car
• Routine and/or extended after hours work needed
• Valid Driver's License with a safe driving record

Travel Requirements:

• 20% travel Travel to Washington, D.C., state capitals, and industry association meetings (including ACLI, ALIC, AOLIC, NAIC, NOHLGA, and LICONY) throughout the U.S. as needed. Meetings are typically two to four days and require extended workdays, including after-hours industry events and dinners.