State Government Affairs Director (Southeast)

About the role

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is hiring a State Government Affairs Director (Southeast) to own government affairs work across Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In this role, you’ll build the legislative strategy for each state, cultivate relationships that move bills, and shepherd FGA’s reform priorities through the 2027 sessions. You’ll drive FGA’s agenda in your states and become the go-to strategist for lawmakers. When legislative fights heat up, you’ll run the war room: set strategy, rally partners, and secure passage of reforms.

This role is remote, with a strong preference for candidates who live in Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, or South Carolina. Expect regular travel across these four states, with the heaviest travel during legislative sessions.

Culture and Fit

Success at FGA hinges on alignment with our five Core Values. Candidates should reflect these values and answer “yes” to the following questions:

• Candid to Solve: Do you seek out and provide constructive feedback to solve issues and build trust?
• Grow or Die: Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and do you actively seek growth to mitigate weaknesses?
• Politically Savvy: Do you agree that embracing political realities is necessary to change public policy?
• Partnership-Oriented: Are you comfortable creating your own work structure, setting priorities, and developing clarity from broad goals?
• Bought in to Win: Do you fully support FGA’s mission and believe in improving lives through work, not welfare, and that free markets create more freedom and opportunity than government control?

The majority of hiring or retention issues at FGA stem from misalignment with these values. Expect candid discussions about them during the interview process.

Responsibilities

As State Government Affairs Director (Southeast), you will focus on four primary areas:

• Build and Execute State Strategy:
  • Create and own the legislative strategy for each state, evaluating the political environment, identifying policy opportunities, aligning stakeholders, and mapping the path for reform priorities.
  • Shepherd FGA’s priorities through the 2027 legislative sessions by securing sponsors, managing collateral, and tracking initiatives from introduction to final passage.
• Cultivate Relationships with Policymakers and Allies:
  • Become a trusted resource for governors’ offices, legislators, legislative and executive staff, agency leaders, and allied third-party groups across all four states.
  • Conduct in-person stakeholder meetings and represent FGA in briefings and small-group settings.
• Manage FGA’s In-State Contractors:
  • Set goals with each contractor, maintain clear communication, and hold them accountable for advancing the state agenda.
  • Leverage contractors’ relationships to open doors with key decision-makers.
• Serve as FGA’s Internal Point Person for the Southeast:
  • Own the flow of information between your states and FGA’s Federal Affairs, Development, Policy and Research, and Communications teams.
  • Use Basecamp to file clear requests, answer internal questions promptly, and coordinate state trips and lawmaker meetings with sufficient lead time.

Requirements

• Five or more years of experience in state legislative, government affairs, campaign, or public policy roles.
• Strong preference for candidates residing in Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, or South Carolina, with regular travel throughout the region (heaviest during legislative sessions).
• Deep understanding of state legislative and executive policymaking, with the political judgment to identify key decision-makers and influencers.
• Exceptional communication skills and organizational ability to manage legislative calendars, hearings, policymaker communications, and collateral across four states simultaneously.
• Proficiency with technology and AI tools, including platforms like Basecamp and Quorum, for tracking data, managing projects, and accelerating research and drafting.
• Alignment with FGA’s Core Values.

Schedule

• Remote work with regular travel across Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
• Legislative fly-ins and quarterly team meetings.
• Intensive 90-day orientation to onboard with FGA’s team, policies, and operations.

Pay

Competitive salary between $100,000–$130,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

• Six percent retirement match.
• Health benefits.
• Generous paid leave.
• Home office setup, including equipment and communication tools.