Account Director, Public Affairs & Government Relations

Account Director, Public Affairs & Government Relations

Mike World Wide  (MWW) is seeking an experienced Account Director to join its Public Affairs & Government Relations practice in our New Jersey office. This is a client-facing, hands-on role for a well-rounded public affairs professional who can operate comfortably at the intersection of strategic communications, public policy, politics, and government relations.

The ideal candidate understands how policy is shaped — inside the State House and through the media, business and community stakeholders, advocacy and public opinion — and knows how to bring those elements together to help clients achieve their goals. We’re looking for someone who can help develop smart strategies, independently manage multiple accounts and work streams, produce exceptional client-ready work, and engage confidently with clients and other influential stakeholders
.

This role bridges both communications and government relations. Successful candidates should be equally comfortable helping develop an integrated public affairs campaign, drafting compelling messages and materials, tracking and analyzing legislation, attending a legislative hearing, or managing the day-to-day needs of a client account.

Meaningful experience in New Jersey government, politics, public affairs or advocacy is essential
, along with a strong understanding of the state’s legislative and regulatory processes and its political, business and media landscape. Relevant experience may include work in government, political campaigns, an agency public affairs practice, in-house government relations or corporate affairs, advocacy organizations, or a combination of these environments.

This role is best suited for a well-rounded public affairs professional who wants to work across disciplines rather than exclusively in traditional public relations or government relations. We value people who are intellectually curious, politically astute, highly responsive, and willing to roll up their sleeves to get the work done.

• Serve as a day-to-day client lead and strategic partner, helping clients navigate public affairs, government relations, reputation, issues management and stakeholder engagement challenges.
• Help develop and execute integrated public affairs and advocacy strategies that combine government relations, strategic communications, earned and digital media, stakeholder engagement, coalition building and grassroots/grasstops activity as appropriate.
• Manage multiple accounts, projects and work streams, coordinating internal teams, establishing priorities, managing deadlines and budgets, and ensuring consistently high-quality client service and deliverables.
• Monitor and analyze New Jersey legislative, regulatory and political developments, identifying emerging issues, opportunities and risks and translating them into timely, actionable intelligence and recommendations for clients.
• Track legislation throughout the legislative process, from introduction and committee consideration through floor action, enactment and regulatory implementation, as well as relevant rules and regulations across New Jersey state departments and agencies.
• Attend legislative committee hearings, voting sessions, regulatory proceedings, meetings and other government activities and provide clients with analysis, insights and recommended actions — not simply reporting on developments.
• Support government relations and advocacy efforts designed to advance, shape or oppose legislation, regulations and other public policy initiatives consistent with client objectives.
• Develop polished, persuasive and audience-specific communications, including policy positions, advocacy materials, messaging, talking points, testimony,…