Director of Government and Public Affairs

Director, Government and Public Affairs

Reports to: Vice President of Government & Public Affairs
FLSA Status: Exempt
Revision Date: June 2025

Position Summary

The Director of Government & Public Affairs serves as a lead state advocacy staffer for an assigned regional portfolio, providing direct support to state Legislative Action Committees (LACs), chapters, and volunteers. This position is responsible for tracking and analyzing legislation and regulations, coordinating lobbying efforts, managing strategic advocacy communications, and ensuring compliance with CAI’s policy objectives. The Director collaborates with internal teams, external consultants, and state-level volunteers to build effective grassroots programs and strengthen CAI’s advocacy presence.

Essential Responsibilities

Legislative Action Committee Support and State Advocacy

• Serve as a primary staff liaison and strategic advisor to assigned state LACs within either the Eastern or Western U.S. region.
• Track, analyze, and provide strategic recommendations on legislation and regulatory actions affecting community associations.
• Coordinate advocacy strategies with volunteer leaders and state lobbyists, including bill drafting, testimony, and legislative visits.
• Manage LAC communications, meeting agendas, minutes, and ensure compliance with CAI policies and IRS requirements.
• Organize and support Day at the Capitol events, advocacy town halls, and stakeholder briefings.
• Assist with PAC fundraising strategy, recordkeeping, and execution of political giving plans.
• Support grassroots initiatives necessary to achieve state advocacy goals and build relationships in assigned states.
• Engage constituents and advocates inside and outside of the Institute to support the Institute’s state advocacy agenda.

Public Policy Development & Communications

• Draft legislative alerts, fact sheets, talking points, position statements, and reports to support state advocacy and legislative action committees.
• Assist in the creation, updates, and promotion of CAI’s public policy positions and model legislation with a regional lens.
• Assist in the identification and resource development of CAI’s state priority issues.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of reporting tools and metrics for individual state legislative action committees and organization success to demonstrate the organization’s efficacy to all members and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to promote legislative outcomes and grassroots campaigns.
• Maintain regular communication with LAC volunteers, members, and government affairs stakeholders.

National & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with fellow Directors and the VP of Government & Public Affairs to ensure cohesion across regions.
• Participate in departmental strategic planning and development of national programs, such as the Advocacy Summit.
• Support training and onboarding of new volunteers and staff as needed.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Supervise Manager of Government & Public Affairs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, or related field required; JD preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in state government affairs, legal policy, or advocacy roles.
• Proven ability to manage multiple legislative campaigns and priorities across different states.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with political and policy audiences.
• Experience working with volunteers and familiarity with nonprofit or trade association structures.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Regional Assignment

• Director, Government & Public Affairs – East Region: Oversees legislative affairs in the Eastern U.S. states.
• Director, Government & Public Affairs – West Region: Oversees legislative affairs in the Western U.S. states.

Assignments may change based on organizational needs.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter w/ salary requirements, resume and a writing sample to [email protected] SUBJECT: DIRECTOR GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, to be considered. NOTE:Omitting any of the requirements automatically disqualifies you from further consideration.