VP, Public Affairs

Pinnacol Assurance does just one thing, and does it better than anyone: provide caring workers’ compensation protection to Colorado employers and employees. And while we may be a little biased, we believe that our work shapes communities and changes lives.

We have big hearts and love big ideas. We’ve been around for more than  100 years, but don’t let that fool you. Pinnacol is committed to taking care of Colorado employers and workers in the most innovative ways. We celebrate continuous improvement, new ideas, compassion, teamwork, integrity and excellence.

With our number one priority to keep everyone safe, along with the heart of Pinnacol’s “culture of caring” to do what is right and not what is easy, we’re currently having our team members work from home. But we’re still making time for fun with virtual events like virtual painting classes, virtual yoga and Zumba classes, and virtual happy hours!

What you’ll do:

The Vice President of Public Affairs is responsible for directing the government affairs and community relations activities of the organization in support of business goals established by the Board of Directors and CEO. He/she works in partnership with the communications, marketing and legal departments as well as contract personnel to develop and implement strategies to enhance the company’s reputation, build broad-based relationships and achieve public policy objectives. He/she is one of the most visible public faces of the company, serving as ambassador to key stakeholders and key corporate spokesperson on policy issues.

What you can expect:

Government relations

• Develop and implement proactive legislative initiatives to advance the company’s business goals and reactive legislative strategies to defeat or mitigate adverse impacts of unfriendly legislation.
• In partnership with legal and insurance operations teams, review and analyze all state insurance, health care and general business-focused legislation and proposals to determine potential impacts on Pinnacol’s operations and policyholders.
• Develop messaging and communications strategies on public policy issues that showcase Pinnacol’s thoughtful leadership, enhance its reputation and facilitate the development of relationships that will enable policy success.
• Communicate Pinnacol legislative proposals and policy positions to Board, employees, agents, policyholders and external stakeholders.
• Act as primary company spokesperson at the capitol, in the media and with key stakeholders regarding legislative issues.
• Develop strategic relationships with the Governor,state agency leaders, key legislators and their staff. 
• Develop, foster and manage relationships and coalitions with external stakeholders to support Pinnacol’s legislative/public policy objectives. Such stakeholders include but are not necessarily limited to Pinnacol agents, chambers of commerce, business associations representing Pinnacol policyholders, local/regional/statewide policy and business organizations, competitors, labor unions and organizations representing the interests of injured workers.
• Provide updates and recommendations on legislative, regulatory and other public policy matters affecting the company, executive team, Board, employees and other audiences. Educate them on the overall policy/political landscape affecting Pinnacol and trends shaping that landscape.
• Provide advice and counsel to the CEO, Board and executive team regarding the government affairs/reputational impacts of operational decisions.
• Oversee all required communications to policymakers, including annual SB 13 report and Legislative Audit Committee appearances.
• Manage contract lobbyist(s) as needed to achieve legislative and regulatory objectives.
• Engage with counterparts at other state workers’ comp funds to share information and best practices.

Community relations/corporate social responsibility

• Oversee the company’s corporate social responsibility programs as managed/implemented by the Corporate Citizenship Programs Administrator:
• Pinnacol Foundation: Oversee the operations of the company’s industry-leading scholarship program, including budget; fundraising; communications with scholars, donors, news media and key partners; programmatic elements including selection criteria; serve on selection committee and as Board chair. Coordinate with Marketing, Events and Communications teams on signature events (annual golf tournament and Scholars Dinner) and communications.
• Charitable grantmaking: Oversee strategy, implementation and reporting of corporate grantmaking within the three pillars of employee safety and health; rehabilitative health; and economic vitality/workforce development. In partnership with Safety Services, oversee Pinnacol’s separate safety grantmaking program for policyholders. 
• Pinnacol in Action employee volunteer program: Serve as executive sponsor of Pinnacol in Action, including actively participating in the advisory committee, working with volunteer coordinators, acting as primary spokesperson for the program, participating in volunteer activities and recognizing/rewarding volunteers.
• Corporate memberships and sponsorships: Determine how to maximize the company’s corporate relationships through strategic memberships in key business/policy organizations statewide. Actively participate, or delegate participation as appropriate, in such groups; seek leadership opportunities for self/company delegates in such organizations in order to leverage the company’s investment. In partnership with the Marketing team, identify appropriate sponsorship opportunities with partner organizations that will maximize the company’s visibility while maintaining credibility.
• Lead communications to legislators and influencers about the company’s corporate social responsibility programs; this includes but is not limited to overseeing the preparation of the annual “Force for Good” report to the community.
• Manage Corporate Citizenship Programs Administrator.
• Oversee community relations budget.

• Act as one of the company’s principal representatives to chambers of commerce and business groups; serve as communications conduit and liaison to showcase Pinnacol’s leadership, perspective and partnership.

What you need to be successful:

Experience

• Extensive experience in government relations, including proven experience developing and successfully advancing policy initiatives, and interacting with elected officials and other policymakers.
• Expertise in dealing with high-profile stakeholders such as elected officials, executives and a variety of external constituencies; including ability to influence and navigate complex political landscape.
• Experience interacting with boards of directors and senior leaders within and outside an organization.
• Experience acting as public face/spokesperson for an organization.

Knowledge, skills and ability

• Demonstrated ability to create and implement comprehensive Government Affairs strategies that include lobbying, association engagement, third party advocacy, digital/social/earned media, and other Government Affairs tools that result in successful engagement of external groups and influences. 
• Ability to assess, analyze and integrate information from multiple sources to drive strategic recommendations.
• Demonstrates flexibility, innovation and ability to perform in a rapidly changing, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates strong leadership, influencing and execution skills.
• Ability to forge strong, trusting relationships with superiors, peers and subordinates within an organization.
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
• Existing relationships with legislators and opinion leaders is a plus.
• Knowledge of the workers' compensation industry is a plus.
• Advanced degree preferred

• Our benefits go beyond the basics. You’ll get to choose from diverse benefit offerings for medical, dental and vision.
• We care about each other. We enjoy a positive, collaborative work environment. We are hard workers and high performers.
• We love who you are. Pinnacol is on a journey to embody diversity, equity and inclusion. We’re committed to creating a culture that deeply values differences, where everyone feels like they belong.
• Take a day (or 20!) off. Enjoy 20 paid days off your first full year plus 9 paid holidays.
• Take care of yourself. Sign up for unique wellness programs, including on-site, company-paid fitness facilities and classes
• Get your learning on. We promote a learning culture to help you master your current job and cultivate the skills of the future through a variety of on-site, online, and off-site professional development opportunities.
• Give back and get paid. Through our employee volunteer program, Pinnacol in Action, employees receive paid time off to volunteer with Colorado nonprofits.
• Share in our success. You’ll have the opportunity to earn a quarterly incentive, up to 20 percent of your annual base salary, when your team exceeds their goals and objectives.

When we find the right person, we try to put our best foot forward with an offer that excites you. We consider what you’d like to be paid, the skills and experience you bring, what similar jobs pay in the Denver area and make sure there’s equal pay for equal work among those you’ll be working with. The compensation amount for this role is targeted at $191,000 - $231,000. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including your experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Want to love your work? Apply today!

Pinnacol is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. To request assistance with the application process, please email [email protected].