State and Local Affairs Lead, Midwest

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a State and Local Affairs Lead, Midwest based in United States.

This role will lead state and local government affairs across the Midwestern United States, shaping engagement around AI policy, legislation, and regulation. You will build trusted relationships with legislators, governors’ offices, attorneys general, state agencies, and local government leaders. The position combines political strategy, policy execution, coalition building, and stakeholder engagement across a dynamic and rapidly evolving technology landscape. You will work closely with policy, communications, legal, and executive teams to translate complex AI issues into effective regional strategies. Regular travel across the Midwest will be an important part of the role. This is an opportunity to contribute to a high-impact state affairs function at a critical stage in the development of AI policy.

• Lead state and local government affairs activities across the Midwestern United States, coordinating closely with regional colleagues and broader policy leadership to advance strategic priorities.
• Build and maintain durable relationships with state legislators, legislative staff, governors’ offices, attorneys general, state agency leaders, mayors, city councils, county commissions, and economic development organizations.
• Monitor state and local legislation, regulatory proceedings, and emerging policy developments affecting AI and the technology sector, providing timely analysis and intelligence to inform organizational strategy.
• Represent the organization’s policy positions through legislative hearings, regional events, public forums, and direct engagement with policymakers and community stakeholders, including audiences with differing perspectives on AI.
• Develop partnerships with chambers of commerce, economic development groups, labor organizations, universities, school districts, and other regional organizations to build coalitions around shared policy objectives.
• Translate technical research and policy positions into practical engagement strategies tailored to the political and policy environments of different Midwestern states and communities.
• Partner with communications teams to develop clear, accurate, and effective messaging for regional policy campaigns and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage external advisors and registered lobbyists supporting regional government affairs activities while ensuring alignment with broader policy objectives.
• Coordinate with policy, communications, legal, and executive stakeholders to ensure regional government affairs activity is consistent with organization-wide priorities and positioning.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience in state and local government affairs, political strategy, legislative roles, or a closely related field, with a track record of contributing to legislative and regulatory outcomes.
• Established relationships with state and local leaders across the Midwest, including legislators, governors’ offices, attorneys general, county officials, and municipal leaders.
• Strong understanding of state legislative and executive processes, including committee structures, legislative procedures, regulatory processes, and the respective authorities of state and local governments.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic objectives in government affairs environments and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience; the field of study should be relevant to the role through coursework, training, or professional experience.
• Eight or more years of experience in state and local government affairs, political strategy, legislative roles, or related work is preferred.
• Experience building external partnerships and coalitions with organizations such as chambers of commerce, economic development groups, labor organizations, universities, and other community stakeholders is preferred.
• Exposure to technology policy or emerging technology regulation, with an understanding of the challenges associated with policymaking around rapidly evolving technologies, is preferred.
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholder relationships across different states while adapting strategies to varied political and policy environments.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical subjects into clear and accessible language for policymakers, community leaders, and residents.
• Experience collaborating with communications teams on policy campaign messaging and the ability to communicate effectively in high-pressure environments are preferred.
• Comfortable navigating disagreement, addressing tradeoffs directly, and engaging constructively with stakeholders who hold different perspectives.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout the Midwest.

Benefits:

• Annual salary range of $230,000–$265,000 USD.
• Flexible working environment with a current expectation that employees spend at least 25% of their time in one of the organization’s offices; some roles may require additional office time.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Generous vacation and parental leave.
• Flexible working hours.
• Optional equity donation matching.
• Visa sponsorship may be available, with reasonable efforts made to support eligible candidates and access to immigration counsel.
• Opportunity to work in a collaborative environment spanning research, policy, and technology.
• High-impact role focused on state and local policy engagement during a significant period of AI policy development.