Director or Senior Director of Government Relations, State

Position Title: Director or Senior Director of Government Relations, New York State

Reports To: Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff

Direct Reports: None

Department: External Affairs

Location: Albany, New York

Salary Range: $140,000 - $190,000, commensurate with the candidate’s skill level and experience

Date: September 2026

About the Open Space Institute

The Open Space Institute (OSI) is a national leader in land conservation and efforts to make parks and other protected land more welcoming for all. Since 1974, OSI has partnered in the protection of more than 2.5 million at-risk and environmentally sensitive acres in the eastern U.S. OSI’s land protection promotes clean air and water, improves access to recreation, provides wildlife habitat, strengthens communities, and combats the devastating impacts of extreme weather.

Position Summary

This position serves as OSI’s lead strategist for New York State government relations, advancing state-level policy, funding, advocacy, and agency engagement in support of OSI’s conservation mission. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, the role leads OSI’s efforts to strengthen conservation funding, build coalitions, inform policy through research and advocacy, and expand land protection and improve access to public land across New York State.

Working closely with colleagues across the organization, the position will serve as OSI’s primary representative to New York State government, cultivating senior-level relationships with elected officials, agency leaders, and key partners to advance OSI’s policy objectives and strategic priorities.

The position will work across OSI departments, coalitions, and advocacy partners to align policy, funding, and program priorities. The ideal candidate will be a self-directed strategist who excels in relationship-building, influence, cross-functional collaboration, and leadership.

While the position’s primary focus is New York State, it may also support related policy and government relations work in other eastern U.S. states where OSI has active conservation initiatives and partnerships.

This position may be filled at the Director or Senior Director level, depending on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

Government Relations and Policy Implementation

• Lead the development and implementation of OSI’s state policy, advocacy, and public funding strategies in collaboration with executive leadership, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and long-term conservation objectives.
• Oversee the tracking and analysis of New York State legislation, budget items, and regulatory initiatives related to conservation funding (e.g., Environmental Protection Fund), climate resilience, public lands, and outdoor recreation.
• Coordinate OSI’s representation with the Governor’s office, key state agencies, including DEC and OPRHP, and statewide coalitions addressing open space, parkland, and public access policies.
• Serve as OSI’s senior representative and spokesperson in meetings with legislators, administration and agency leaders, and coalition partners.
• Develop and deliver policy briefs, testimony, and correspondence articulating OSI’s positions to policymakers and partners.
• Lead planning and strategy for OSI’s participation in key lobbying days and advocacy events, including EPF Lobby Day and Parks and Public Lands Advocacy Day.
• Manage external consultants, lobbyists, and advocacy contracts to ensure alignment with OSI’s strategic priorities.
• Develop strategies to increase public investment in conservation, parks, greenways, and climate resilience initiatives, positioning OSI and its partners to pursue state funding opportunities.
• Identify emerging political,…