Senior Director, State Affairs

Status:Full Time

FLSA:Exempt

Reporting to the Vice President of State Government Affairs, the Senior Director State Government Affairs is the industry's lead policy representative across west coast region, actively working with state legislative and administrative personnel to advance member interests. The position will assist in the assessment of legislative opportunities and threats, as well as the evaluation and development of strategies for engagement. The Senior Director will manage interactions with member company policy and advocacy staff, as well as in-state lobbyist network in assigned region.

The position will represent association interests in state capitols and at policy conferences as required. The position will also be responsible for assisting in the management of special events and projects to advance both the industry and the association's interests and policy positions throughout the year. The Senior Director will work closely and regularly with other departments within the association to successfully advocate in the region on a wide range of issues impacting the auto industry.

• Monitors, evaluates, engages, and apprises the association's leadership, staff, and member companies of state policy that impact the industry within the region;
• Consults regularly with member companies on policy priorities, issue positioning, appropriate messaging, and legislative engagement strategy and tactics;
• Collaborates with staff and members to prepare comments, correspondence, and deliver hearing testimony as needed to state legislative and regulatory bodies;
• Serves as a thought-leader on state policies impacting the industry with third-party organizations and panel discussions and in other public forums;
• Represents the association in strategic partnership efforts and other public venues advocating adoption of recommended policies and initiatives;
• Identifies, develops, and maintains relationships with lawmakers, stakeholders, and other relevant organizations;
• Works closely with other departments within the association to ensure a coherent, coordinated industry effort and proper messaging on issues is achieved;
• Collaborates and manages relationships with in-state lobbyists and consultants;
• Travels extensively, occasionally on short notice, to attend in-person meetings, hearings, or events;
• All other duties as assigned.

• Comprehensive understanding of state legislative process and advocacy strategies;
• Ability to review and analyze state legislation, and effectively communicate impact to other association staff, member companies, and external stakeholders;
• Capacity to quickly understand and internalize complex policy concepts on wide range of issues impacting industry;
• Excellent communications skills - ability to quickly draft compelling written testimony and advocacy materials that translate association policies to non-expert policymakers; comfort with public speaking before legislative committees, policy panels, and other public events;
• Strong interpersonal skills and leadership qualities to generate trust and find consensus among member company policy staff;
• Excellent judgement in priority setting between competing interests in changing environment;
• Ability to thrive in a team environment requiring sustained collaboration and communication with colleagues;
• Bias for action with a demonstrated track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and positive outcomes.

• Bachelor's Degree;
• Minimum five to fifteen years of experience working in/with state legislature or administration, preferably in western region of country;
• Strong interest in automotive industry, including new and developing…