Summary
Description
Mission: The Colorado Oil & Gas Association’s (COGA) mission is to be the united political and regulatory voice for the oil and natural gas industry in Colorado, and to support our members through advocacy, partnerships, education and stakeholder engagement.
The Position: The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will help lead Colorado’s oil and natural gas industry in regulatory, legislative and public relations matters while managing a team of full-time employees and outside contractors.
Working with COGA’s Board, the CEO helps develop and articulate a cohesive, comprehensive strategic agenda for the organization and effectively implements a tactical plan to accomplish those goals. The CEO works to unify the industry across the state and educate Coloradans on the benefits of the industry. They will often serve as the public face of the industry with elected leaders, regulators, media, communities, and other stakeholders. This person must be a strong leader of people and an outstanding relationship builder among diverse constituents and interests with a combination of shared and individual objectives.
The successful candidate will be a visionary, collegial and credible leader who can quickly develop rapport with, and cooperation from, influential corporate and government leaders. This executive must be able to connect with key stakeholders across the state to capture and keep their attention.
Key responsibilities include:
- Oversee development of an annual strategic plan with ongoing strategy development and refinement including: regulatory, legislative, local governments, community outreach, media, education, industry engagement, stakeholder support.
- Lead monthly Executive Board meetings and quarterly Advisory Board meetings.
- Deftly balance the divergent interests and needs of members, large and small, working to unify the industry and member base.
- Attract, retain, develop and lead a high-performing staff of 7 FTEs.
- Ultimate accountability for the work of staff engaging with members and stakeholders, including attending numerous committees to set legislative and regulatory policy for the organization and supporting staff engagement with stakeholders, regulators, members, and communities.
- Cultivate and develop partnerships, alliances and coalitions with diverse, but aligned, interest groups and organizations to advance the COGA agenda.
- Media accessibility including overseeing communications strategy, guiding and approving message development, and conducting interviews.
- Interface with key state leadership, federal delegation, and leaders of key stakeholder organizations.
- Provide motivation and leadership to staff, contractors, and volunteers.
- Public speaking, including media events, hearings, meetings, debates, potentially unfriendly forums.
- Leadership in emergency situations including company coordination, interface with agencies, crisis communications and public engagement.
- Coordinate political fundraising for COGA’s PAC, 527 and small donor committee.
- Coordinate COGA’s Nominating Committee, Legal Committee and Oversight Committee
Legal, Legislative & Regulatory
- COGA’s CEO, in conjunction with outside counsel, oversees the organization’s legal engagement and potential litigation on behalf of members. Legal strategy is developed and overseen by the Legal Committee.
- The CEO provides direct oversight and leadership to several key positions in the organization, maintaining clear lines of communication, accountability, and support and guidance for key strategic decisions.
- COGA’s Senior Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs leads legislative efforts and directs outside lobbying firm. COGA’s Legislative Committee develops strategy and legislative positions. The committee meets weekly throughout the legislative session to review bills relevant to industry and determine COGA’s strategy and position on each piece of legislation.
- COGA’s Senior Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, along with other internal staff and contractors, leads key regulatory efforts and engages at all levels with state regulatory agencies. This includes monitoring and participating in hearings, meetings, and regulatory developments.
- COGA’s Regulatory Manager works to engage and influence local oil and gas rule changes, local ballot measures and other related development. COGA engages with local governments across Colorado by communicating with local government designees (LGDs), staff and elected officials in communities with oil and gas operations.
Programs & Events
- The CEO oversees the work of staffers and contractors for COGA’s events including the annual Energy Summit and golf tournament, Annual Meeting, Day at the Capitol, End of Session Review and other specific events that bolster COGA’s regulatory, legislative or political efforts.
Outreach and Communications
- The CEO oversees strategic communications and outreach efforts with the support of internal staff and external contractors. Through their leadership and supervision, COGA works to educate and mobilize thousands of industry employees to represent the industry in their circles of influence and communities through strategic communications and programs such as its Energy Advocates program. This program provides employees with data, messaging and political and regulatory updates to promote effective engagement with communities and individual networks.
- COGA’s CEO conducts more than a dozen high-profile speaking engagements across Colorado. Audiences include local community groups, schools, professional organizations, political groups, homeowners’ associations (HOAs), and chambers of commerce.
- COGA’s CEO is the visible leader on behalf of industry and serves as the spokesperson for media inquiries.
- The CEO maintains a close partnership with the Colorado Energy Foundation, COGA’s 501(c)(3) foundation that provides coordinated philanthropic investments on behalf of the industry. The CEF is managed by a fractional executive director who works directly with the CEO and board to ensure the foundation’s alignment with COGA’s strategic plan and fulfillment of initiatives and programs within the foundation to support COGA’s goals.
Financial Management & Oversight
- As a membership-based trade association, the CEO oversees staff for fulfillment of all revenue-generating activities which consist of membership, sponsorship and securing underwriting support to maintain the financial needs of the organization.
- The CEO, in conjunction with a Fractional CFO and outside accountant, oversees all financial operations for the organization including annual budget planning and monthly reporting.
- The Finance Committee, overseen by the Executive Board Treasurer, meets quarterly and reports to the Executive Board.
Administration & Human Resources
- The CEO oversees the work of an outside contractor and internal staff on all administrative and Human Resources matters, including recruitment, hiring, and compensation; benefits administration and oversight; professional training and development, including new employee orientation; office and organizational culture; legal compliance and business insurance: procurement, monitoring, and management.
The Person
Qualifications & Experience
The CEO will bring credibility and leadership to continue building COGA’s value proposition to its members. It is preferred that this executive have governmental affairs experience interacting with legislators and regulatory agencies. A track record of building relationships and aligning objectives among a broad range of constituents and parties is important as well.
- At least 10 years of experience in corporate management, business, or trade association government relations, legislative and/or political positions.
- Experience with, or appreciation for, the dynamics of a diverse, member-driven organization.
- Strong record of building support among a broad and diverse range of constituents and audiences.
- Proven record of exceeding goals and managing to strategic objectives.
- Experience working with public relations initiatives; comfortable working with media and savvy with networking opportunities including speaking engagements and high-visibility functions and events.
- Experience in the oil and gas industry and established relationships in the Rocky Mountain region are highly desirable.
- Insight into the Colorado political and policy landscape and environment is beneficial.
- Ability to think strategically, design actionable steps, and measure progress.
- An undergraduate degree is required.
Compensation and benefits:
The salary range for this position is $300,000 to $350,000, commensurate with experience and qualification, plus potential for annual bonus. In addition, the position will receive company-sponsored benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance; employer contributions to individual retirement plans; employer-paid parking; reimbursements for personal cell phone use; and paid time off.
To apply, please email cover letter and resume to info@coga.org. Position will remain open until filled. No phone calls, please.
