Executive-Level Government Relations. Without the Full-Time Executive.
A fractional VP of Government Relations leads your entire policy operation, nationally and internationally, and directs your lobbyists in the jurisdictions that matter, typically for 50–75% less than a full-time VP.
Book a Strategy CallThe Traditional Model Makes You Pay Twice
Most companies that take government relations seriously follow the Fortune 500 playbook. First they hire a full-time VP of Government Relations, a role that commonly costs $250,000 to $450,000 a year with salary, bonus, and benefits. Then they hire contract lobbyists in multiple state capitols and D.C., because one executive can't be everywhere. This makes sense for very large companies like Microsoft, but not so much for smaller companies or industries.
While it is indeed critical to have a seasoned professional oversee national or global government affairs operations, having such a top-heavy approach often eats up too much budget in the wrong places. This is where fractional government relations management come in.
Lean at the Top. Strong on the Ground.
A fractional VP of Government Relations gives you the same senior leadership on a monthly retainer. The savings go where the direct results come from: experienced lobbyists in the jurisdictions that matter to your business, all working from one centrally-coordinated strategy.
Your Entire Government Relations Operation, Directed by One Experienced Executive
- 01Monitoring.
Legislation and rulemaking tracked in every jurisdiction that touches your business.
- 02Forecasting.
Where policy is heading, and a plan for it before it lands.
- 03Reporting.
Political developments translated into plain business terms for leadership and your board.
- 04Intervention.
When to engage, where, and with what message.
- 05Legislation.
Bills, amendments, and comment letters drafted to advance your priorities.
- 06Lobbyist management.
The right lobbyists hired, directed, and held accountable in each key jurisdiction.
- 07Trade associations.
Sometimes the best option is to band together with others in the industry with the same policy goals and similar business models to spread costs and have a bigger voice in government. We can work with existing groups or help you create a new one.
23 Years of Moving Legislation
Ezra Eickmeyer has spent more than two decades passing legislation and shaping regulation, working across the political spectrum. He has written statutes that created new market categories, brokered agreements between interests that rarely align, and directs national government relations.
He has also served as Chief Strategy Officer and founder of growth companies, so he understands how policy hits revenue, costs, and competitive position. Few professionals in government relations have real world experience in business and have difficulty understanding the nuances of how government policy affects real-world business.
Built for Companies That Need Influence with Less Overhead
In several states or federally, without the workload to justify a full-time executive.
In multiple states with no one coordinating them, often paying lobbyists with no way to know whether they are doing a good job.
That need a strategic director for their policy program.
Where the rules are unclear, still being written, or about to change.
A Fraction of the Cost
A fractional VP of Government Relations typically costs 50–75% less than a full-time VP. Engagements are monthly retainers scoped to your jurisdictions and issues. We'll recommend the right structure after your free strategy calls.
Book a Free Strategy CallQuestions, Answered
What does a fractional VP of Government Relations do?
Leads your entire government relations function part-time: strategy, monitoring, reporting, legislative drafting, and management of your lobbyists, the same scope as a full-time VP.
Does a fractional VP lobby directly?
Yes! This is the ultimate “all-of-the-above” approach. The role directs strategy and manages contract lobbyists in each jurisdiction, and also engages directly when and where it's most effective. That's what keeps the model efficient across many states.
How is this different from hiring a lobbying firm?
A lobbying firm works the jurisdictions it covers. A fractional VP works for you across all of them: choosing priorities, deciding where to engage, screening and hiring firms and holding every lobbyist accountable to one plan. Many companies hire expensive lobbyists and don't know how little they are doing in reality for the client. We take responsibility for that management and oversight so you have a seasoned professional on your side.
What's the difference between government relations and lobbying?
Lobbying is direct advocacy on a bill or rule. Government relations is the broader function around it: monitoring, strategy, relationships, and coordination.
How much does it cost?
Typically 50–75% less than a full-time VP, on a monthly retainer. Lobbyist fees are separate and contracted directly by you, but under our management where we take responsibility for them and their work.
Can you cover multiple states and federal issues?
Yes. The model is built for multistate and federal programs, including Washington, D.C., and even international markets.
Get Executive-Level Government Relations, Without the Executive Payroll
Tell us where your business faces regulatory risk or opportunity and we'll map out what a fractional government relations program would look like for you. No pressure, no obligations.
Book a Strategy Call