State Government Affairs Director

Description

OVERVIEW

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is hiring a State Government Affairs Director to oversee the coordination and implementation of FGA policy reforms in a portfolio of states around the country. This position isn’t about selling products—it’s about selling ideas. The right candidate will have 3–5+ years of experience in state government (e.g., as a staffer in a state legislature), is detail oriented and results driven, has proven communication and relationship management skills, and already has an unshakable commitment to the reforms in FGA’s policy agenda.

This is a fully remote role, and regular travel (up to 50 percent) will be required as needed. The position has a salary range of $100,000 to $120,000 with a generous benefits package—but more importantly, for the right candidate, this is an opportunity to impact public policy at a high level, work side by side with world-class policy experts, and make a lasting difference for the future of our country.

CULTURE AND FIT

The people who consistently succeed at FGA are those whose actions and behavior reflect our five Core Values. If you adhere to these values and answer “yes” to each of the following questions, you may be a fit.

1. Candid to Solve: Being willing to have tough conversations in order to solve issues and build trust.
   • Do you seek out constructive feedback—and provide it to others—to solve issues and build trust with coworkers?
2. Grow or Die: We don’t have a neutral gear; we must consistently challenge ourselves and each other to grow in our talents and skills.
   • Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and do you seek out complementary skills and growth in order to mitigate your weaknesses?
3. Politically Savvy: Policy doesn’t change in a vacuum, but in a political reality that we must understand and account for.
   • Do you agree that embracing the realities of politics is necessary to change public policy?
4. Partnership-Oriented: Internal and external relationships are not transactional. That starts with our team members and the perspective that we need the rest of the team to succeed in order to win personally.
   • Are you comfortable creating your own structure for work, such as setting work hours, your own priorities, and creating clarity and a workplan from a broad goal? Do you tend to be the one who initiates conversations with colleagues, rather than waiting for them to come to you?
5. Bought in to Win: We’re at FGA because we want to change policy. No one is counting hours or widgets—we are here to get results, and sometimes that will require going the extra mile or doing a job that isn’t technically ours.
   • Do you wholeheartedly agree with the policies that we advocate and the underlying principles that people’s lives are made better through work, not government welfare, and that a free market creates greater freedom and equality than any command-and-control government system?

The vast majority of individuals who don’t get hired—or don’t last—at FGA lack alignment with our Core Values. Be prepared to have very candid conversations about these values in our interview process.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The State Government Affairs Director will have four primary roles, broken down into key responsibilities. They are:

Role 1: Turning Reforms Into Reality

• The Government Affairs Director is responsible for working with state policymakers and aligned third-party groups to advance reforms through the legislative process to turn good policy into law. This requires constant, active awareness of multiple priorities across states, evaluation of the local political environment and policy needs, alignment and relationship work with stakeholders, and working with FGA writers, designers, and policy experts to produce collateral.

Role 2: Building Relationships

• The Government Affairs Director is responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with key legislative, executive, agency, and third-party stakeholders in each of the states in his or her portfolio. This includes oversight and management of in-state contractors.

Role 3: Working Externally and Internally

• The Government Affairs Director is the primary contact person for all government affairs operations in their portfolio of states. This includes maintaining a strong working relationship and buy-in from internal stakeholders on the Federal Affairs, Development, Policy & Research, and Communications teams.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 3–5+ years’ experience in state government; priority will be given to those with state legislative experience
• Exceptional relationship skills and strong in-person and written communication ability
• Experience and comfort with technology platforms to organize and track data, manage projects, and communicate internally
• Substantial work experience may be considered a substitute for a bachelor’s degree
• Match all five of FGA’s Core Values (described above)

TIMING, LOCATION, AND COMPENSATION

FGA is seeking to fill this position with the right candidate as soon as possible. FGA’s headquarters are in Naples, FL, but nearly all of FGA’s staff work remotely. FGA has built a highly successful remote work culture over the past decade with systems and structures designed for clarity, flexibility, and great communication. Key elements of the environment include:

• Quarterly in-person team meetings at which you’ll build deeper relationships, set clear goals aligned with FGA’s big vision, and brainstorm how to seize new opportunities
• An intensive 90-day orientation to familiarize you with the FGA team, our policies, and how we operate
• Home office setup, including equipment and communication tools you need to hit the ground running

FGA offers a competitive salary of between $100,000 and $120,000, and a benefits package including a six percent retirement match, health benefit, and generous paid leave plan.

Salary Description

$100,000 – $120,000

Learn more here