Director, State Affairs

Salary Range

$144,500.00 to $195,500.00 Annually

Position Overview

The Director, State Affairs serves as a liaison and lobbyist for the AGA state government relations practice area. This role involves developing and maintaining positive relationships and communications with state policymakers and related staff, as well as supporting the Managing Director, State Affairs with state legislative and regulatory advocacy programs.

Role and Responsibilities

• Identify, monitor, and analyze state legislation and relevant state policy.
• Support the Association’s government relations goals by lobbying, building coalitions, and expanding relationships with key decision-makers, policymakers, governors, and related staff.
• Participate in the development of policy positions, strategies, and execution of tactics in support of members’ state legislative and regulatory activity.
• Support the Managing Director’s and Vice President’s efforts to inform, coordinate, and mobilize member company representatives and other interested parties (coalitions) to pursue AGA’s government relations goals.
• Advise and inform state-level officials and other key stakeholders of policy positions and issues.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with relevant partner organizations and staff.
• Ensure consistently strong relationships with members and associates of state-focused trade associations.
• Conduct research, develop analysis, and coordinate collateral materials for use in public policy outreach and communications.
• Assist in the coordination of the materials needed to effectively advocate AGA’s state legislative and regulatory policy positions.
• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of State Affairs and Government Relations-related meetings and after-hour receptions.
• Assist the Managing Director with the preparation, forecasting, monitoring, and tracking of the relevant aspects of the Governmental Affairs & Public Policy budget.
• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of AGA branding events.
• Work with the Communications Department to refine messages and produce collateral materials to advance priority policy objectives.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Association to develop and implement effective advocacy strategies and member service programs.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Minimum six years of legislative, regulatory, lobbying, or political experience in a support position.
• Strong political acumen and an understanding of the legislative process, campaigns, and/or public relations.
• Contacts and relationships with state legislatures, governors, and local policymakers.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Approximately 50% domestic travel is required, as is the ability to work non-traditional hours when needed.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline or equivalent life experience required.

Learn more here