Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Sean Flynn

Chicago,IL

Summary

Seasoned Government Affairs Specialist with 6 years of diverse experience in community relations, legislative processes, and stakeholder engagement. Skilled in managing advocacy activities, strategic planning, and intergovernmental communication. Seeking a Director of Government Relations role to leverage expertise in external affairs and policy advancement.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Community Relations Representative

Pace Suburban Bus
01.2024 - Current
  • Manage relationships with public officials and external stakeholders to ensure positive interactions and strategic alignment with organizational objectives
  • Collaborate with internal departments, including Marketing and Legal, to provide coordinated responses to issues affecting community relations and governance
  • Represent the organization in community events, discussions with local governments, and in interactions with external organizations to market services and communicate initiatives
  • Coordinate with planning, operations, and project management teams to address local transit issues, devise detour routes, and develop outreach strategies for future services
  • Developed partnerships with local businesses and organizations, fostering a collaborative community-building approach.

Aldermanic Candidate

City of Chicago - 8th Ward
09.2022 - 02.2023
  • Directed a strategic campaign that garnered 1300+ votes, demonstrating strong leadership and public engagement skills
  • Utilized data analysis to inform voter targeting and marketing strategies, enhancing campaign outreach effectiveness
  • Conducted monthly meetings with constituents to address community concerns and articulate future plans
  • Orchestrated voter outreach initiatives and managed digital marketing efforts, while also serving as the primary contact for press relations and volunteer coordination

Chief of Staff

Office of Alderman David Moore - 17th Ward
02.2022 - 09.2022
  • Managed office staff and coordinated with community volunteers to ensure streamlined operations and effective service delivery
  • Facilitated communication and strategic planning between the Alderman's office, the Mayor's office, and various City Council Committee officials, serving as the primary point of contact
  • Organized the Alderman's complex calendar, including scheduling Committee hearings and town halls, and oversaw high-volume email communications for daily briefings and information dissemination to the community

Aldermanic Assistant

Office of Alderman Leslie A. Hairston - 5th Ward
05.2021 - 02.2022
  • Collaborated with multiple city departments to resolve ward issues, ensuring effective closure of constituent cases
  • Acted as a representative at community events and provided support during community meetings, enhancing the office's presence and accessibility
  • Managed constituent inquiries, delivering solutions to concerns, and meticulously tracked service requests via the City of Chicago 311 system

Government College Relations Council Fellow

Chicago Federal Executive Board
04.2020 - 03.2021
  • Facilitated interagency coordination and communication, acting as a liaison among federal directors, congressional leaders, and local stakeholders to address issues affecting the federal community
  • Orchestrated the donation of 90 laptops worth $103,000 to Chicago Public Schools, enhancing educational resources for students through the Computers for Learning program
  • Contributed to the development and successful funding of a $30,000 grant proposal aimed at expanding the Government College Relations Council Internship program for FY2021
  • Created and maintained a comprehensive database of university contacts within Region 5, promoting diversity in federal hiring by targeting a wide range of educational institutions

Census Ambassador

UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs | Bureau of Census
02.2020 - 08.2020
  • Facilitated public engagement through the development of web-based educational materials on the importance of the Census, tailored to the needs of Chicago-area students and community organizations
  • Enhanced daily operations of community-based organizations by providing technical support and insights into the impact of Census data on health, wellness, education, and cultural programs
  • Served as a key point of contact, ensuring effective communication between the Census office and various internal and external stakeholders to disseminate current information

Aldermanic Aide

Office of Alderman David Moore - 17th Ward
01.2020 - 08.2020
  • Facilitated Aldermanic and city operations by attending council and committee meetings, ensuring effective communication and issue resolution for constituents through management of telephone inquiries and assistance with permits and zoning matters
  • Collaborated on various projects, employing city databases and online resources to investigate and address community concerns, thereby improving constituent services and satisfaction
  • Contributed to emergency response initiatives, including the distribution of meals and protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic and assessing post-civil unrest damage, supporting recovery efforts and stakeholder engagement

Outreach Advocate | Recruitment Coordinator

Acceleration Academies | Distinctive Schools
02.2018 - 10.2019
  • Developed and executed outreach initiatives, guiding a diverse group of high school dropouts on the process of re-enrollment and academic continuation
  • Fostered partnerships with key stakeholders to advance awareness of the Art in Motion open-enrollment charter school launch
  • Orchestrated neighborhood canvassing campaigns and leveraged local community events to enhance accessibility for underserved populations

Education

Master of Public Administration -

The University of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL
12.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Public Policy

The University of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL
12.2020

Associate of Arts - Sociology

Olive-Harvey College
Chicago, IL
05.2019

Skills

  • Communicator
  • Advocate
  • Problem Solver
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Speech Writing
  • Crisis Communications
  • Cross-Cultural Marketing
  • Public Policy Advocacy
  • Government Relations
  • Strategy & Execution
  • Creative Problem-Solving
  • Multi-Tasking Skills
  • Public Speaking
  • Coalition Building
  • Political Savvy
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Legislative Policy Analysis

Certification

  • Urban Public Policy Program Fellow, University of Illinois at Chicago, 01/01/21
  • De-Escalation Training Social Emotional Learning, Dr. Susy Francis, 01/01/17

Timeline

Community Relations Representative

Pace Suburban Bus
01.2024 - Current

Aldermanic Candidate

City of Chicago - 8th Ward
09.2022 - 02.2023

Chief of Staff

Office of Alderman David Moore - 17th Ward
02.2022 - 09.2022

Aldermanic Assistant

Office of Alderman Leslie A. Hairston - 5th Ward
05.2021 - 02.2022

Government College Relations Council Fellow

Chicago Federal Executive Board
04.2020 - 03.2021

Census Ambassador

UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs | Bureau of Census
02.2020 - 08.2020

Aldermanic Aide

Office of Alderman David Moore - 17th Ward
01.2020 - 08.2020

Outreach Advocate | Recruitment Coordinator

Acceleration Academies | Distinctive Schools
02.2018 - 10.2019
  • Urban Public Policy Program Fellow, University of Illinois at Chicago, 01/01/21
  • De-Escalation Training Social Emotional Learning, Dr. Susy Francis, 01/01/17

Master of Public Administration -

The University of Illinois At Chicago

Bachelor of Arts - Public Policy

The University of Illinois At Chicago

Associate of Arts - Sociology

Olive-Harvey College
Sean Flynn