State Government Affairs Manager

**Description**

The National Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation are proud to be part of a highly respected industry, providing hospitality, opportunity, and quality of life. Much like the industry we represent, we have a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive culture grounded in trust, hospitality, collaboration, and innovation.

We currently have an opportunity within our Public Affairs Department for a State Affairs Manager, responsible for the Western region. As an integral member of the State Affairs team, you will develop and implement legislative, grassroots, communications, and public affairs strategies, serving as the primary Public Affairs contact for State Restaurant Associations (SRAs) and national chain restaurant partners. You will also work in close collaboration with the State Affairs Manager, East, and the Coordinator of State Affairs.

We are looking for a highly collaborative, experienced government affairs professional with a keen understanding of state and local public affairs, including legislative, regulatory, and political processes.

The ideal candidate will bring five to seven years of experience successfully working in aligned positions in state or local government, on political or advocacy campaigns, Capitol Hill, trade associations, or other private‑sector work. Strong familiarity with the legislative landscape in the Western region is highly desirable. You will thrive in this role if you are a self‑starter with strong relationship‑building skills and the confidence and diplomacy to engage stakeholders at all levels.

Position must operate out of our DC office, with a required three days onsite, Monday–Wednesday, with flexibility to work remote on Thursday and Friday.

The work you will do as part of our Public Affairs team will play a pivotal role in our efforts to support and advocate for the industry. We look forward to hearing from you!

We are proud to offer our team members comprehensive benefits designed to support their financial, professional, and personal well‑being. In addition to outstanding healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision), competitive salaries, generous vacation and leave time, we offer a matching 401(k) plan, a unique collection of corporate discounts and memberships, as well as programs to support career and skills development, including coaching, learning, and tuition assistance.

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**Responsibilities**

Manage the relationship between the State Affairs team and the Association’s State Restaurant Association (SRA) partners in the Western region of the United States.

For the Western region:
• Serve as the Association’s point person for its SRA partners.
• Serve as the Association’s point person for its national chain partners regarding public policy.
• Develop and implement legislative, grassroots, communications, and public affairs strategies.
• Manage the relationship between the Association and consultants.
• Collaborate with the Coordinator, State Affairs, to provide frequent legislative reports and analysis for the Association’s chain government affairs representatives.
• Manage and oversee state‑specific advocacy projects such as polling by sourcing vendors and managing vendor relationships.
• Attend government affairs meetings with elected officials at the state and local levels.
• Manage the strategy and organization behind grassroots campaigns by working in close collaboration with the Association’s Grassroots team and outside consultants.
• Lead communications and coordination of policy positions with government affairs personnel at member companies, SRAs, allied industry and trade associations, and external political groups that represent state and local officials.
• Prepare legislative summaries and reports for the Board, State Affairs team, SRAs, member companies, and other key stakeholders.
• Develop strong relationships with SRA staff as well as members of the chain restaurant government affairs community.
• Assist the VP, State Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy, regarding the Association’s relationship with its SRA partners in the Western region.
• Represent the Association at political conferences and events around the country.
• Give presentations on behalf of the State Affairs team at internal and external meetings as needed.
• Travel to support the Association’s partnership with SRAs, including travel to SRA meetings and industry conferences.

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**Requirements**

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, government relations, public policy, or equivalent.
• Five to seven years of experience successfully working in aligned positions in state or local government, on political or advocacy campaigns, on Capitol Hill, trade associations, or other private‑sector work.
• Fundamental government, political, and public policy knowledge.
• Highly collaborative and accountable with proven interpersonal and diplomacy skills; ability to interact and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Creative thinker who can develop and implement new grassroots and public affairs strategies.
• Work effectively under pressure and prioritize work, often juggling multiple assignments within short timeframes while following through and meeting deadlines.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accountability to established timelines.
• Intellectual horsepower, emotional intelligence, and curiosity.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written; demonstrates clear and concise business communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate data/information and confidentiality of work records.
• Highly effective organizational, time‑management, priority‑setting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Exceptional analytical and critical‑thinking skills.
• Responsive to change and leads as a change agent; highly adaptable and resilient.
• Possess strong work ethic and high degree of integrity; shows discretion and protects confidential information.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently; a self‑initiator, versatile, and assumes risk with responsibility.
• Proficiency across Microsoft Office products, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, and ability to learn new technology as needed.
• Ability to travel approximately 30%.

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**Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities**

The National Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association Solutions, LLC, and The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (together, “Company”) are committed to equal employment opportunity, and it is the Company’s policy to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. We ensure that all employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Apply here