Director, State Affairs

About the Job

The Director, State Affairs leads AGA’s efforts in monitoring state legislation and policy, advancing government relations objectives through strategic lobbying and coalition building. This role involves developing policy positions and engaging with key stakeholders to support legislative initiatives. The Director, State Affairs will foster partnerships with relevant organizations, ensure strong communication with other trade associations, and oversee research and advocacy materials.

What you will do:

• Identify, monitor and analyze state legislation and relevant policies to inform strategic decisions making.
• Advance AGA’s government relations objectives through lobbying efforts, coalition-building, and cultivating relationships with key decision makers, policy makers, governors, and their teams.
• Lead the formulation of policy positions, strategies, and execution of tactics to support member’s legislative and regulatory initiatives at the state level.
• Partner with the Managing Director, GA&PP and the Vice President, GA&PP to inform, coordinate, and mobilize member representatives and coalitions in pursuit of AGA’s government relations goals.
• Advise state officials and key stakeholders on policy positions and critical issues impacting AGA members.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with relevant partner organizations and their staff to enhance collaborative efforts.
• Foster and sustain robust relationships with members and associates of state-focused trade associations to strengthen AGA’s advocacy efforts.
• Conduct through research, develop analytical reports, and coordinate collateral materials to support public policy outreach and communications.
• Oversee the development of materials necessary for effective advocacy of AGA’s state legislative and regulatory positions.
• Assist the Managing Director, GA&PP in preparing, forecasting, monitoring, and tracking the Government Affairs & Public Policy budget.
• Collaborate with the Communications Department to refine messaging and produce materials that advance priority policy objectives.
• Coordinate the planning and execution of State Affairs and Government Relations related meetings and receptions.
• Work closely with colleagues across AGA to develop and implement effective advocacy strategies and member service programs.

What you will bring:

• Minimum of five years of legislative, regulatory, lobbying, or political experience. 
• Thorough understanding of legislative processes, the workings of Congress and relevant congressional committees.
• Experience working with Members of Congress, committee staff, and personal office congressional staff. 
• Proven success with advocacy campaigns
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and writing communication skills.
• Approximately 50% domestic travel required.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Experience with the utilities, the energy industry, energy policy, or related subject areas that enhance the ability to advocate for the natural gas industry.
• Ability to work under pressure, juggle multiple demands, meet deadlines, and handle rapidly shifting priorities.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Masters/Graduate degree preferred.
• Trade association and natural gas industry experience preferred.

How we operate:

This role is based in Washington, DC where AGA employees currently have the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule with 3 days in the office and 2 days remotely. The employee’s team determines one day each week, and the employee determines the others.

The Pay and Benefits:

For employees who live in the Washington, DC Metro area, the salary range for this position is $123,250 to $166,750 annually. Typically, new hires are brought into the organization at a salary range between the minimum and midpoint, depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted salary for the role.

• Paid Time Off
• Medical and Dental insurance
• Employer-paid Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching, and non-elective contributions
• Educational assistance and more!

The American Gas Association requires all offered candidates to pass a background check and sign an arbitration agreement as conditions of employment.

To be considered for this role, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references with your application.

About AGA:

The American Gas Association, founded in 1918, represents more than 200 local energy companies that deliver clean natural gas throughout the United States. There are more than 76 million residential, commercial, and industrial natural gas customers in the U.S., of which 95 percent — more than 74 million customers — receive their gas from AGA members. Today, natural gas meets more than thirty percent of the United States' energy needs.