State and Local Affairs Lead, Midwest

Accountabilities:

• Lead state and local government affairs activities across the Midwestern United States, coordinating closely with regional colleagues and broader policy leadership to advance strategic priorities.
• Build and maintain durable relationships with state legislators, legislative staff, governors’ offices, attorneys general, state agency leaders, mayors, city councils, county commissions, and economic development organizations.
• Monitor state and local legislation, regulatory proceedings, and emerging policy developments affecting AI and the technology sector, providing timely analysis and intelligence to inform organizational strategy.
• Represent the organization’s policy positions through legislative hearings, regional events, public forums, and direct engagement with policymakers and community stakeholders, including audiences with differing perspectives on AI.
• Develop partnerships with chambers of commerce, economic development groups, labor organizations, universities, school districts, and other regional organizations to build coalitions around shared policy objectives.
• Translate technical research and policy positions into practical engagement strategies tailored to the political and policy environments of different Midwestern states and communities.
• Partner with communications teams to develop clear, accurate, and effective messaging for regional policy campaigns and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage external advisors and registered lobbyists supporting regional government affairs activities while ensuring alignment with broader policy objectives.
• Coordinate with policy, communications, legal, and executive stakeholders to ensure regional government affairs activity is consistent with organization-wide priorities and positioning.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience in state and local government affairs, political strategy, legislative roles, or a closely related field, with a track record of contributing to legislative and regulatory outcomes.
• Established relationships with state and local leaders across the Midwest, including legislators, governors’ offices, attorneys general, county officials, and municipal leaders.
• Strong understanding of state legislative and executive processes, including committee structures, legislative procedures, regulatory processes, and the respective authorities of state and local governments.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic objectives in government affairs environments and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience; the field of study should be relevant to the role through coursework, training, or professional experience.
• Eight or more years of experience in state and local government affairs, political strategy, legislative roles, or related work is preferred.
• Experience building external partnerships and coalitions with organizations such as chambers of commerce, economic development groups, labor organizations, universities, and other community stakeholders is preferred.
• Exposure to technology policy or emerging technology regulation, with an understanding of the challenges associated with policymaking around rapidly evolving technologies, is preferred.
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholder relationships across different states while adapting strategies to varied political and policy environments.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical subjects into clear and accessible language for policymakers, community leaders, and residents.
• Experience collaborating with communications teams on policy campaign messaging and the ability to communicate effectively in high-pressure environments are preferred.
• Comfortable navigating disagreement, addressing tradeoffs directly, and engaging constructively with stakeholders who hold different perspectives.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout the Midwest.

Benefits:

• Annual salary range of $230,000–$265,000 USD.
• Flexible working environment with a current expectation that employees spend at least 25% of their time in one of the organization’s offices; some roles may require additional office time.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Generous vacation and parental leave.
• Flexible working hours.
• Optional equity donation matching.
• Visa sponsorship may be available, with reasonable efforts made to support eligible candidates and access to immigration counsel.
• Opportunity to work in a collaborative environment spanning research, policy, and technology.
• High-impact role focused on state and local policy engagement during a significant period of AI policy development.