Reports to: Senior Vice President, Government Affairs
Department: Advocacy and Outreach
Staff reporting to this position: Associate Director, State and Local Government Affairs; Senior Manager, State and Local Government Affairs
Position classification: Exempt, full time; Nonunion - Level 8
Compensation range: $112,000–$134,400 per annum
Work site: On-site (Washington, D.C., office)
Summary
American Progress is seeking a Senior Director of State and Local Government Affairs to lead its engagement with state and local officials, their staff, and key partners. Especially in recent years, state and local governments have served as “laboratories of democracy,” leading to both significant gains and unfortunate setbacks on progressive policies. American Progress is one of the few progressive organizations with the capacity to engage on a broad range of policy and advocacy efforts with elected officials at all levels of government.
This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with significant experience working in or with state and local governments to lead and build a program that can help elected officials achieve progressive policy wins in every corner of the country. Strong candidates for this role will have a keen desire to build new relationships and find opportunities for American Progress’ policy research to have an impact at all levels of state and local government. Candidates for this role should also have significant political experience and should feel comfortable interacting with high-level principals and their staff.
The Senior Director will be driven by American Progress’ mission to improve the lives of all Americans through bold, progressive ideas as well as strong leadership and concerted action, with the aim of not only changing the conversation, but changing the country.
This role may require registering to lobby in multiple states as needed to advance American Progress’ policy priorities.
Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage all of the organization’s outreach to state and local elected officials, agencies, and progressive partners, and serve as the primary point of contact within the organization for all issues that affect state and local officials.
- Establish and maintain relationships with officials at all levels of state and local government and represent American Progress with governors, other state and local elected officials, and their staff.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with both partisan and nonpartisan organizations that represent or directly engage with specific state and local officials and develop strategies to partner on policy initiatives or communication strategies.
- Work directly with American Progress’ senior leadership and policy departments to develop strategies for helping state and local leaders with the implementation of progressive policies and initiatives that align with the organization’s priorities.
- Work with American Progress’ Digital Advocacy team to create new opportunities for digital and communications engagement with state and local elected officials, their staff, and other political partners.
- Promote American Progress’ policy priorities and work products by developing dissemination strategies to governors, mayors, other state and local elected officials, and their staff.
- Help ensure that elected officials and state and local government staff consider American Progress as a resource when they consider the development of legislative language on issues on which American Progress has expertise.
- Identify and engage with new organizations and target groups of state and local officials for the purpose of advancing American Progress’ policy priorities.
- Identify and pursue opportunities to promote American Progress’ president and CEO and policy staff as expert witnesses for state and local hearings and meetings.
- Regularly update American Progress staff on news and events related to state and local affairs and respond to requests for information from staff.
- Develop and help oversee state- and local-focused events that uplift and amplify initiatives of elected officials and advocates along with external partners.
- Work with policy teams to integrate external campaign activities with the Center for American Progress Action Fund to maximize impact.
- Work closely with American Progress’ Legal team to ensure compliance with lobbying laws.
- Perform other duties as assigned, including assisting other members of the Government Affairs team.
Requirements and qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; a master’s degree is a plus.
- A minimum of 10 years working with the executive branch, a congressional office, and/or the office of a state or local elected official, or comparable experience. Experience with state and/or local elected officials is required.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
- In-depth knowledge of state and local branches of government and relevant organizations.
- Understanding of state and local policy issues and the political landscape.
- Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, both independently and as part of a team.
- Experience working with 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations is a plus.
- Experience working with political campaigns is preferred.
- Commitment to American Progress’ mission and goals.
American Progress offers a full and competitive benefits package. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is not represented by a union and has a salary range of $112,000–$134,400.
