Government Relations Manager; WMS BAND 2

The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

Please note that during legislative sessions, this position will require working in person at the assigned workstation location in Olympia: 1500 Jefferson St. Olympia, WA.

This position may work irregular hours due to legislative session and may occasionally work weekends and may require working more than 40 hours per week during session. This position requires the incumbent to be available in the evenings and weekends to support the communication and executive operation needs of the agency. This need is typically higher during the month leading up to, and during Legislative session.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.

The purpose of the program is to coordinate and manage the agency legislative, rule making and policy programs; other governmental activities with federal, state, and local government; and develop and manage strategic external relations with key legislators, congressional and as well as partners and stakeholders to support the agency’s mission.

The Government Relations Manager reports to the Director of Executive Operations and manages the agency’s legislative and government relations program. This position is responsible for developing and executing the legislative agenda for the agency in collaboration with Chief of Staff, Director of Executive Operations, the Governor’s office, legislators, and federal officials in alignment with the agency’s mission.

The incumbent coordinates and participates in lobbying efforts with the Chief of Staff and works in coordination with the Director of Executive Operations, to advance agency priorities and provide feedback to legislative, state and local stakeholders. This includes advising legislative strategy for DES initiatives and policy, developing and managing the development of agency request legislation, guiding agency legislation through the legislative process;

leading the implementation of newly enacted legislation; and managing agency legislative reporting.

This position is a primary point of contact with legislators, legislative staff and intergovernmental contacts. It requires the capacity to build, maintain and manage strong relationships with local, state and federal delegations at the legislative and executive branches with other stakeholders and lobbyists. The Government Relations Manager acts as the government relations liaison with Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB), State Building Code Council (SBCC), and Project Review Committee (PRC) providing legislative support helping to facilitate legislative interaction and feedback for these groups.

This role works closely with the DES Director of Policy, Rules & Compliance to support and help manage enterprise policy implementation that results from issuing of executive orders and bills passed by the legislature with policy changes implications or DES or enterprise policy.

• Manage the agency’s legislative program and serve as the agency Legislative Liaison.
• Coordinates and participates in lobbying efforts with the DES Chief of Staff and works in coordination with the Director of Executive Operations, to advance agency priorities and provide feedback…