Director of Legislative Affairs

About the role

Raise Your Hand Texas is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocating for high-quality public education in Texas. We work to educate, engage, and activate Texans through public education policy and advocacy initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Implement RYHT’s legislative priorities in coordination with internal teams and leadership.
• Monitor, analyze, and manage legislation across both chambers using tracking systems (e.g., Telicon).
• Own bill movement and timelines, including committee activity, amendments, and floor action.
• Produce clear, timely briefings and updates on legislative developments and risks.
• Serve as a primary liaison to legislative offices, committee staff, and state agencies.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to initiate and maintain relationships with members of the legislature.
• Build and maintain bipartisan relationships with a variety of stakeholders across the Capitol.
• Coordinate RYHT engagement in hearings, including preparation, testimony, and follow-up.
• Speak publicly regarding Raise Your Hand’s legislative priorities, including during public testimony.
• Cultivate relationships with statewide organizations and key stakeholders.
• Align partners around shared priorities and legislative strategy.
• Partner with Policy, Communications, and Advocacy teams to align strategy, messaging and execution.
• Translate policy priorities into actionable guidance and materials.
• Manage and mentor interns and fellows during legislative sessions.
• Provide training content and legislative commentary for organization’s grassroots advocates.
• Support advocate engagement in the Capitol during legislative sessions.
• Aid Regional Advocacy Directors in initiating and managing relationships with lawmakers and legislative staff.
• Support interim work, including monitoring charges, stakeholder engagement, and session preparation.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in a legislative office, government relations, or comparable role.
• Direct experience advancing or managing legislative policy.
• Strong knowledge of the Texas legislative process, including committees, calendars, and floor dynamics.
• Experience with legislative tracking tools and managing bill flow and reporting.
• Availability to travel in the service area (regional and statewide) and occasionally work weekends and evenings.
• Must be willing to work extended hours during sessions, hearings, and key periods.
• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, or related field.

Qualifications

• Jurisdictional experience in Texas legislative process.
• Ability to assess issues quickly and provide clear recommendations.

Skills

• Judgment & Professionalism: Operates with discretion in high-pressure environments.
• Process Fluency: Deep understanding of how legislation moves and how to manage it.
• Relationship Management: Ability to build credibility across offices, parties, and stakeholders.
• Communication: Excellent verbal communication skills. Strong briefing, writing, and presentation skills.
• Analytical Ability: Can assess issues quickly and provide clear recommendations.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including, health insurance, a 401(k) Retirement plan, disability insurance, paid time off, and paid parental leave.
• Perks at Work Program.
• RYHT offers limited opportunities for remote work opportunities, dependent on employees’ continued ability to execute on projects and responsibilities.

What We Offer

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including, health insurance, a 401(k) Retirement plan, disability insurance, paid time off, and paid parental leave.
• Perks at Work Program.
• RYHT offers limited opportunities for remote work opportunities, dependent on employees’ continued ability to execute on projects and responsibilities.

Why Join Raise Your Hand Texas?

If you are a results-oriented leader with a passion for shaping public policy and building relationships, we want to hear from you!

To Apply

Please upload your resume, a cover letter, 1 reference letter (a preferred letter author being someone either elected to or working within the Texas Capitol), and 1 completed Texas Legislative Strategy Memo assignment.