Special-interest groups' official
Also known as: special-interest groups' worker, sports association official, special-interest groups' staff member, industry association official, employers organisation official, special-interest group official
About this occupation
Special-interest groups' officials represent and act on behalf of special-interest groups such as trade unions, employer organisations, trade and industry associations, sports associations and humanitarian organisations. They develop policies and ensure their implementation. Special-interest groups' officials speak for their members in negotiations about topics such as working conditions and safety.
Essential skills and knowledge
- collaborate in the drafting of policies
- keep updated on the political landscape
- use communication techniques
- manage government policy implementation
- ensure compliance with policies
- public relations
- represent the organisation
- communication principles
- deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances
- interact with the board of directors
- identify policy breach
- manage budgets
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Labor Relations Specialists (O*NET 13-1075.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
- Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
- Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
- Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
- Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
- Prepare evidence for disciplinary hearings, including preparing witnesses to testify.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Negotiation, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$95,420 a year (2025), 64,810 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (3.6)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
- Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
- Human Resources Managers
- Human Resources Specialists
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
- Compensation and Benefits Managers
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
- Public Relations Managers
- Lawyers
- Compliance Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.