Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs job

About the Company

The City of Philadelphia is a best-in-class employer in a vibrant city known for its thriving arts scene, rich history, and culture of passion and grit. With a workforce of over 30,000 people across more than 1,000 job categories, the City offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. As an employer, the City values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work, providing a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and opportunities for growth and excellence.

The Mayor’s Office of Philadelphia is dedicated to serving residents by promoting equity, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life for all communities. Committed to transparency, integrity, and accountability, the office collaborates with city departments, agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders to address challenges and create opportunities. The Mayor’s Office focuses on six main initiatives: Public Safety, Clean and Green, Housing, Economic Opportunity, Education, and Roundtables (business, faith-based, and intergovernmental).

About the Role

The Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs plays a critical role in advancing the Mayor’s priorities through strategic engagement with Pennsylvania state legislators and federal partners. This position supports the Senior Director in managing the City’s legislative affairs portfolio, serving as a trusted advisor and liaison between the City and external governmental bodies. The role requires exceptional judgment, political acumen, and the ability to navigate complex legislative environments while aligning with the Mayor’s vision for a safer, stronger, and more equitable city.

Responsibilities

• Supports the development and execution of the City’s state legislative agenda.
• Monitors Pennsylvania legislative sessions and tracks bills impacting Philadelphia.
• Prepares testimony, briefing materials, and legislative summaries for state hearings and meetings.
• Coordinates advocacy efforts with state legislators, committees, and agencies.
• Maintains relationships with state lawmakers and legislative staff to advance City priorities.
• Assists in analyzing proposed state legislation and preparing impact assessments.
• Drafts policy briefs, talking points, and strategic recommendations for leadership.
• Represents the City in state-level meetings and hearings as delegated.
• Collaborates with internal departments to align state advocacy with City priorities.
• Tracks state budget cycles and identifies funding opportunities for City programs.
• Coordinates intergovernmental roundtables focused on state issues.
• Supports compliance with state reporting and regulatory requirements.
• Assists in preparing the Mayor and senior officials for engagements with state partners.
• Helps manage legislative affairs workflow and project timelines.
• Participates in special projects and initiatives related to state policy.
• Provides limited support for federal legislative initiatives, including monitoring federal legislation and assisting with advocacy efforts as directed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Law, or a related field. Master’s degree or Juris Doctor preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, public policy, government associations, or intergovernmental affairs.
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania legislative and regulatory processes, including budget and appropriations.
• Understanding of principles of intergovernmental relations and public policy development.
• Familiarity with municipal government operations and administrative procedures.
• Basic understanding of federal legislative processes.
• Knowledge of key policy issues relevant to urban governance, including infrastructure, public safety, housing, economic development, and sustainability.
• Awareness of ethical standards and legal guidelines governing lobbying, legislative advocacy, and public sector communications.

Skills

• Monitoring and analyzing state legislation.
• Building relationships with state legislators and agencies.
• Drafting persuasive communications and testimony.
• Exercising sound judgment under pressure and navigating politically sensitive environments with discretion and diplomacy.
• Representing the City with credibility and professionalism in high-stakes public forums, negotiations, and engagements.
• Collaborating effectively with diverse internal departments and external stakeholders to drive alignment and consensus.
• Managing multiple competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail and long-term strategic goals.
• Communicating complex legislative and policy issues clearly and effectively to executive leadership and non-technical audiences.

Benefits

• Unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options.
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Tuition discounts and scholarships (10% to 40%) through partnerships with over a dozen local colleges and universities, extending to employees, spouses, and dependents in some cases.

Pay

Salary Range: $140,000 - $155,000

Additional Information

The successful candidate must be a resident of the City of Philadelphia within six months of hire.