State Government Affairs Director
Job Description
American for Prosperity (AFP) is the premier grassroots organization focused on advocating solutions to the country’s greatest challenges. We recognize that tens of millions of Americans are frustrated with the extreme partisanship in government that keeps common-sense reforms from being passed, and instead seek to stand with policy leaders who are committed to finding a better way. AFP is part of the Stand Together philanthropic community.
As a State Government Affairs Director on our Government Affairs team, you will lead the organization's legislative strategy and policy outreach efforts across designated states. This role combines supervisory, lobbying, partnership management, and policy expertise to advance AFP’s mission.
In this role, you will play a key role in driving policy changes, influencing legislation, and fostering relationships with policymakers, stakeholders, and partner organizations.
How You Will Contribute
- Leadership and Team Development. Develop and execute a vision and strategic plan for the state government affairs team, ensuring alignment with AFP's organizational goals. Refine team responsibilities and expectations and professional development plans. Conduct talent planning, including recruiting, training, and conducting performance assessments and compensation reviews for direct reports. Serve as a culture leader, driving an environment of empowerment, growth, and accountability within the team.
- Lobbying and Legislative Strategy. Engage in outreach efforts with elected and appointed officials in designated states, acting as an advocate for AFP’s priorities. Provide strategic advice to state teams regarding annual priorities, legislative strategy, and lobbying plans. Represent AFP at multistate events and meetings. Act as an ambassador for visiting state officials to strengthen relationships and advance AFP's federal-state policy coordination.
- Healthcare Policy Leadership: Serve on healthcare steering committee to have a voice in shaping policy positions and strategies. Act as a primary contact on healthcare issues, offering expertise in policy consultation, lobbying, content creation, and public speaking. Build relationships with policy influencers in the healthcare space to advance AFP’s policy agenda.
- Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement. Manage relationships with key partner organizations and maximize their value for the government affairs department, AFP, and Stand Together. Quantify the impact of these relationships and provide feedback on partnership outcomes to drive better decision-making.
What You Will Bring
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in government affairs, lobbying, public policy, or a related field.
- Proven leadership skills with a track record of building and managing high-performing teams.
- Strong knowledge of legislative processes, particularly in state governments.
- Expertise in healthcare policy is highly desirable.
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Ability to travel as required.
- Enthusiasm to contribute to Stand Together's vision and principled approach to solving problems and a commitment to stewarding our culture, which champions values including transformation and innovation, entrepreneurialism, humility, and respect.
What We Offer
- Competitive benefits: Enjoy a 6% 401(k) match with immediate vesting, flexible time off, comprehensive health and dental plans, plus wellness and mental health support through Peloton and Talkspace.
- A meaningful career: Join a passionate community of over 1,300 employees dedicated to improving lives and driving progress on complex social challenges.
- Commitment to growth: Thrive in a non-hierarchical environment that emphasizes self-actualization, with roles and responsibilities based on your strengths, not tenure.
- Competitive compensation: Our approach rewards the value you create through competitive salaries and bonus opportunities, allowing you to share in the success you help drive.
For this position we anticipate paying between $150,000 - $175,000 annually. Actual amount may be higher or lower based on various factors such as a candidate’s relevant work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. Employees may be eligible to participate in our benefits programs which include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts, life insurance, AD&D, disability, retirement, paid vacation, paid parental leave and educational assistance. Specific eligibility criteria are defined by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy, or guideline.
Our Values
Working at Stand Together is different from many other organizations. Our culture is deeply rooted in Principled Based Management® (PBM®), a framework guided by the principles that drive human progress, such as dignity, openness, and bottom-up empowerment. PBM® empowers our employees to be entrepreneurial, to innovate, and to continually drive transformation.
We believe diversity fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success, and that is why we’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and strive to treat all employees and applicants with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity.