Director of Government Affairs

Nevada Policy; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 120,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Nevada Policy in Carson City seeks a driven Director of Government Affairs to lead legislative advocacy, build coalitions, and turn policy ideas into outcomes. This hands-on leadership role requires understanding how legislation moves, strong relationship-building with decision-makers, and the ability to negotiate effectively.

The ideal candidate will manage priorities during session, coordinate with the Policy Department, and guide staff toward strategic priorities while maintaining ethical

Qualifications

• 5+ years in government affairs or lobbying with policy impact.
• Experience participating in a state legislative session.
• Strong ability to build relationships with officials and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including public speaking.

Responsibilities

• Lead legislative advocacy strategy with leadership and policy team.
• Build strategic plans to advance priority legislation through the Legislature.
• Establish and maintain relationships with legislators and staff.
• Identify sponsors and champions for Nevada Policy priorities.
• Coordinate bill drafts, amendments, and proposals with legislators.
• Advocate for legislation through meetings, negotiations, and testimony.
• Track bills, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to progress or oppose.
• Coordinate advocacy across hearings, work sessions, and votes.
• Provide timely updates and strategic recommendations to leadership.

Skills

Government affairs

Legislative advocacy

Public policy

Coalition development

Relationship building

Public speaking

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Deadline management

Ethical advocacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, government, or related field

Job description

Nevada Policy is a nonprofit public policy organization dedicated to advancing individual liberty, limited government, and free-market solutions that create greater opportunity and prosperity for all Nevadans.

Through research, education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, we work to influence public policy and deliver meaningful, lasting change in Nevada.

About the Position

Nevada Policy is seeking a driven, strategic, and relationship-oriented Director of Government Affairs to lead our legislative advocacy efforts and help turn good policy ideas into meaningful legislative outcomes.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who understands how legislation moves, knows how to build relationships with decision-makers, and can effectively advocate for policies that advance limited government and individual freedom.

The ideal candidate is more than a policy expert. We're looking for someone who can navigate the legislative process, build coalitions, negotiate effectively, and develop the relationships necessary to move legislation forward.

During Nevada's legislative sessions, this individual will serve as a primary representative of Nevada Policy in Carson City. Between sessions, they will focus on strengthening relationships, building coalitions, and preparing legislative priorities for future success.

Success in this position isn't measured by how many meetings you attend or how often you testify. It's measured by your ability to turn relationships, strategy, and advocacy into meaningful progress.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Nevada Policy's legislative advocacy strategy, working closely with organizational leadership and the Policy Department.
• Build and execute strategic plans to advance priority legislation through the Nevada Legislature.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with legislators, legislative leadership, committee staff, and executive-branch officials.
• Identify and recruit legislative sponsors and champions for Nevada Policy's policy priorities.
• Coordinate bill draft requests, legislative amendments, and policy proposals with legislators and internal policy experts.
• Advocate directly for legislation through meetings, presentations, negotiations, and testimony.
• Track priority legislation, identify opportunities and threats, and develop strategies to advance, improve, or oppose bills.
• Coordinate advocacy efforts throughout the legislative process, including committee hearings, work sessions, floor votes, and gubernatorial consideration.
• Provide timely legislative updates, strategic recommendations, and actionable intelligence to organizational leadership.

Coalition Building & Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with advocacy organizations, business associations, community leaders, public officials, and other key stakeholders throughout Nevada.
• Build strategic coalitions that support Nevada Policy's legislative priorities.
• Identify opportunities to collaborate with organizations and individuals who share common policy objectives.
• Coordinate coalition activities, including joint advocacy efforts, legislative briefings, testimony, and stakeholder outreach.
• Represent Nevada Policy at legislative meetings, policy discussions, conferences, and other relevant events.
• Maintain consistent communication and follow-through with legislative partners and coalition members.
• Work with Nevada Policy's research team to develop legislative strategies and prepare policy proposals for future sessions.
• Monitor interim legislative committees, regulatory developments, and emerging policy issues.
• Cultivate legislative sponsors and strategic partners ahead of legislative sessions.
• Help identify potential legislative challenges and opportunities before they arise.
• Coordinate policy briefings, stakeholder meetings, and educational events across Nevada.
• Maintain accurate records of legislative activity, stakeholder relationships, and advocacy outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Communications and Development teams to share legislative progress and organizational impact.

Required Qualifications

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in government affairs, legislative advocacy, public policy, lobbying, or coalition development, or a comparable record of demonstrated success.
• Experience participating in a state legislative session.
• Strong understanding of the legislative process and how to effectively advance public policy.
• Demonstrated ability to build professional relationships with elected officials, government representatives, and community stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and persuasive advocacy.
• Strong negotiation, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to independently manage multiple legislative priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Commitment to ethical advocacy and compliance with applicable lobbying laws and regulations.
• Alignment with Nevada Policy's mission of advancing limited government, individual liberty, and free-market solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience working with the Nevada Legislature.
• Established professional relationships with Nevada legislators, government officials, and policy stakeholders.
• Experience successfully advancing, amending, or defeating legislation.
• Experience developing and managing advocacy coalitions.
• Background working for a public policy organization, nonprofit, legislative office, or government affairs firm.
• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, government, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience will be considered.

What We're Looking For

Our ideal candidate is someone who:

• Builds relationships that produce results. You understand that effective advocacy requires trust, credibility, and consistent engagement.
• Thinks strategically and acts decisively. You can anticipate legislative challenges, recognize opportunities, and adjust your approach as circumstances change.
• Knows how to move legislation. You understand the importance of securing sponsors, building support, negotiating amendments, and following through.
• Takes ownership. You are proactive, organized, and comfortable being accountable for outcomes.
• Works well with others. You can bring together people with different perspectives around shared policy objectives.
• Believes in the mission. You are passionate about advancing policies that expand freedom and opportunity for Nevadans.