State Government Relations Director

The American Flood Coalition (AFC) is a nonpartisan group that drives transformational adaptation to higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding. AFC comprises more than 400 elected officials, local leaders, military groups, and businesses that work together to advance resilient and equitable flood solutions at the local, state, and federal level. As the only organization that focuses on flooding and sea level rise across all levels of government, AFC is uniquely positioned to transform how communities around the country adapt to flooding and sea level rise.

Position Summary

We are seeking a strategic and dynamic State Government Relations Director to join our growing organization. Reporting to the Senior Coalition Director and working closely with the Executive Director and the rest of AFC's leadership team, this role will focus on scaling flood resilience policy across states. The State Government Relations Director will lead the charge on engaging and building relationships on both sides of the aisle with state legislators and decision-makers and work closely with our policy and technical experts to create policy templates that can help accelerate resilience in target regions and states.

The position is a tremendous opportunity to shape the future of flood policy and resilience across states, and to join a team of passionate and talented people dedicated to helping flood-affected communities adapt and thrive. Our State Government Relations Director will focus on scaling effective state flood resilience policy across the most impacted areas of the country. Our State Government Relations Director will have high visibility with elected officials and decision-makers, and be an integral part of our leadership team. Our ideal candidate is excited to help define an emerging portfolio of our work and build a team, has a deep understanding of the dynamics of state legislatures, and excels at communicating externally and building relationships.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain across the aisle relationships with state legislators, state agency officials, and other key decision makers across states, and educate them on opportunities to build resilience and reduce flood risk.
• Spearhead and implement a strategy to develop events, programming, and partnerships to engage legislators across the country interested in flooding, both in alignment with ongoing geographic strategy and in rapid-response to emerging opportunities.
• Serve as an in-house expert on state legislator engagement and contribute to our work to develop templates, frameworks, and sample policy that makes it radically easier for states to protect people from higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding.
• Lead strategy development to test, learn, and refine our thinking on how to effectively scale policy best practices across states.
• Serve as an integral member of our leadership team, defining organizational strategy, processes, and vision.
• Help build out the State Scaling team, which will promote best practices in adaptation across states, including hiring and defining roles and managing direct reports.
  
  

Qualifications

9+ years of relevant experience in state government relations, legislative, and/or policy work, including proactively building relationships with state legislators and state decision-makers on both sides of the aisle.

• 3+ years of direct management experience, with responsibilities for performance reviews, professional development, and work oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly master and communicate complex issues in a clear, credible, and compelling manner that is tailored to specific audiences.
• Deep familiarity with the mechanisms of state government and a proven ability to maneuver effectively.
• Proven track record leading collaboration across multiple teams to achieve high-impact work products and outcomes required; experience collaborating frequently with virtual team members.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of time required.
• Willingness to register as a state lobbyist, if required.
• Bachelor's degree required.
  
  

Location

Washington, D.C., or open to state-based employees in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, or Gulf Coast. From all locations, employees must be located near an airport for travel.

Benefits

• Base salary range of $115,000-130,000, with up to 10% bonus potential.
• Generous and flexible paid time off.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401k plan with 4% employer match.
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability, as well as basic life insurance and other voluntary benefits.
• Relocation assistance to DC is available for new employees living outside of the D.C. metropolitan area.
  
  

We also offer

• A hybrid work schedule: DC-based staff are in-person in our D.C. office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the option to work from home on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
• Company-sponsored outings, such as happy hours, after-work activities, a holiday party, an annual retreat, and more.
• Office closure the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
• A modern office with amenities, including gym access, snacks and drinks, a business casual dress code, and a collaborative floor plan with options to suit every workstyle.
  
  

We encourage you to apply for this position even if you do not meet 100% of qualifications listed here. The American Flood Coalition is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We invite applications from candidates with unique backgrounds and strive to create and maintain an environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.