Director, Government Affairs

Your Impact

The primary purpose of the Director, Government Affairs position is to lead advocacy on behalf of Lowe’s in the company’s key strategic state and local markets for the South Division and Headquarters State (North Carolina). This Director position leads advocacy before state and local executive, legislative, and regulatory bodies; leads within trade and business associations; maintains a grasstops and grassroots network; and develops and leverages a strong network of external influencers.

This position requires a dynamic individual with proven communication, management, and leadership skills. This position will also have responsibility for maintaining strong relationships with state and local policymakers within the headquarter state of North Carolina and serve as government affairs lead for certain enterprise-wide initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads the state government affairs team and external consultants within assigned markets, oversees the identification of issues and development of proactive plans and objectives, policies, and strategies on Lowe’s priority issues.
• Sets the strategic direction and specific objectives for issue prioritization and engagement in assigned markets and ensures that business priorities are integrated into Lowe’s policies and positions.
• Ensures that comprehensive and rigorous government affairs strategies fully take into account legislative, executive, and regulatory options, including direct advocacy, third-party and think tank engagement, and creative policy approaches.
• Builds and maintains relationships on behalf of Lowe’s with key stakeholders, including state and local officials, trade associations, and NGOs.
• Works with senior leadership to develop and drive the organization’s policies and objectives involving local and state government relations and policy.
• Acts as the company’s primary interface with elected officials and key community groups in assigned markets, and may serve as media spokesperson on certain issues.
• Cultivates, maintains, and engages trusted relationships directly with a sophisticated political contact network, including State Attorneys General, Governors, and state legislators.
• Maintains a comprehensive understanding of legislation and industry trends, providing analyses of business impact to the Sr. Director and Vice President of Government Affairs.
• Monitors and tracks proposed legislation and ballot measures (local, state, and federal) and formulates appropriate responses.
• Directs contract lobbyists and consultants in assigned markets and works closely with trade associations.
• Works closely with the Manager, Political Programs to develop strategy for the growth of the company’s political action committee (LOWPAC).
• Serves as the lead on one or more retail policy issues and acts as the go-to resource for the Government Affairs team.
• Fosters an inclusive environment where diverse ideas and perspectives are encouraged.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree: Public Relations, Communications, Political Science, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8–10 Years: Experience in government relations or combined experience working for a corporate Government Affairs department, a political campaign, or an elected official in the Southeast (NC, TX, FL, GA).
• 5–7 Years: Proven ability to lead successful teams of lobbyists and policy advocates with a strong executive presence and knowledge of legislative processes.
• 3–5 Years: Developing and maintaining productive relationships with national organizations of state officials (e.g., NCSL, RGA, DGA).
• 3–5 Years: Managing multiple large projects simultaneously in a Fortune 100 corporate environment.
• 3–5 Years: Direct leadership experience managing professionals and subject matter experts.
• Experience with congressional staff or a government relations consulting firm.
• Demonstrated work experience with local, state, and/or federal elected officials, political parties, or trade associations.
• Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time for business purposes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Government affairs experience in the retail industry and/or in a multi-state region.
• Deep knowledge of public policy and familiarity with state legislative and regulatory processes.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and present legislation in both oral and written formats.
• Experience with grasstops and grassroots advocacy.
• Exceptional judgment and the ability to multi-task under pressure.
• Existing relationships with policymakers in the Southeast (state legislature, governor’s office, or large city/county offices).