State Government Relations Manager - Alliance Defending Freedom

Everyone says they want to change the world. We’re looking for people who actually will.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith. Please review our Statement of Faith and Doctrinal Distinctives. 

State Government Relations Manager

Alliance Defending Freedom is looking for a highly skilled State Government Relations Manager to join us from their Home Office in FL or GA (preferably FL).  This position promotes the strategic objectives of ADF via education and advocacy efforts involving direct government action.  As an alliance builder, the State Government Relations Manager will manage contact with members and/or staff of state legislators in various states and help plan and facilitate outreach and coordination with allies focused on government, legislative, and policy issues at the state and local levels. 

Your Essential Responsibilities:

In this position, you will:

• Advocate and coordinate support for the positions of ADF on governmental policies and legislation
• Promote and support strategies and approaches for effective advocacy
• Travel to meet with policy groups, legislative staff, and other stakeholders to discuss policy, strategy, and how to effectively advocate to government officials and the public
• Build and manage a network of relationships within Florida and Georgia, including direct relationships with legislators and staff within governmental offices
• Track, research, analyze, and evaluate legislation and translate it to possible plans of action
• Assist in the development of testimony, legislation, position papers, and reports
• Encourage and facilitate effective working relationships with policy allies and coalition groups in Florida and Georgia
• Speak publicly to the media and before crowds as permitted and requested by management
• Work collaboratively within the ADF team and with external allies

Other Responsibilities (Non-Essential):

• You will be asked to perform related duties or special projects as assigned.

Skills you need to succeed:

Knowledge of:

• ADF’s mission and strategic objectives
• State legislative and executive branch processes and procedures
• Current political environment and ongoing strategic implications that affect the legislative activities of ADF

Demonstrated proficiency in:

• Legislative advocacy skills, including demonstrated advanced verbal and written communication skills
• Research, analysis, and evaluation of state governmental issues, rules, regulations, and legislation
• Strong networking skills to bolster relationships with key state legislative staff for both Democrats and Republicans, as well as other mission-related advocacy organizations
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective broad-range working relationships, as well as the proven ability to work independently and collaboratively on internal and external teams
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Word and Outlook
• Strong time management skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Navigating the complex structure of the legislative structure to produce desired results

Ability to:

• Persuade and inspire others to act
• Speak about religious freedom and constitutional issues related to the ADF mission
• Effectively use grassroots networks to advance a policy agenda
• Work in a frenetic and fluid legislative/political environment
• Professionally handle confidential information
• Make sound decisions under demanding conditions
• Flexibility to rapidly change priorities in order to respond to recent and changing legislative developments
• Work, motivate, and initiate within a team and independently
• Produce excellent written and verbal communications
• Travel 40% of the time is required

Education and/or experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills may be obtained
• Preferably 3+ years of professional experience involving government relations at the state level. Experience in public policy advocacy at the state level or experience in legislative or executive branch work at the state level

To be considered for this position, please attach a cover letter to your application.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION WITH A COMPETITIVE

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE, TOO? 

We have it! Alliance Defending Freedom offers team members a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes major medical insurance, dental care, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care insurance, and life insurance. We also offer a 401(k) plan with a generous company match. Work and life balance is important to the well-being of our team members. You will receive paid time off (PTO) that starts accruing from your hire date and 11 paid holidays per year.