Director of Policy

Mid-America Economic Development Council; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional development organization is looking for a Director of Policy & Advocacy in Lake Charles, LA. This role involves leading regional policy coordination, advocacy, and civic engagement efforts to strengthen the business environment and promote economic growth in Southwest Louisiana. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in policy and advocacy, excellent facilitation skills, and a strong understanding of government processes. Flexibility to attend meetings and travel is required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in policy, advocacy, and government relations.
• Strong understanding of government processes.
• Ability to work collaboratively across sectors.

Responsibilities

• Convene regional meetings with elected officials and leaders.
• Foster communication between businesses and government.
• Design and manage policy taskforces.
• Lead regional advocacy engagements.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Government relations

Project management

Facilitation

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public policy or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

ReCon is seeking candidates for a direct-hire opportunity for a client in Lake Charles, LA.

Help Shape the Future of Southwest Louisiana!

Southwest Louisiana is a strategic, business-friendly region anchored by Lake Charles, offering strong economic opportunity, robust infrastructure, and an attractive cost of living. Located along the I-10 corridor, the region provides efficient access to Houston, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, supported by interstate, rail, port, and regional air connectivity. With billions of dollars in planned and active investment across energy, petrochemical, LNG, and infrastructure sectors, Southwest Louisiana continues to see sustained project activity that drives long-term growth and ongoing demand for professional services.

Position Overview

The Director of Policy & Advocacy will lead regional policy coordination, advocacy, and civic engagement efforts that strengthen the business environment and advance economic growth across Southwest Louisiana.

This role serves as a regional convener, managing issue-based taskforces and aligning business, government, and community stakeholders around shared priorities related to infrastructure, site readiness, ease of doing business, tax policy, innovation, workforce, and quality of life. This is a full-time, salaried position requiring flexibility for meetings, events, and legislative activity.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Convene and facilitate regular regional meetings with elected officials, parish administrators, key staff, business leaders and state agencies
• Foster consistent communication between businesses and government agencies on permitting, infrastructure, workforce, and development priorities
• In partnership with the Southwest Louisiana Regional Planning Commission, support unified regional funding requests to state and federal advocacy efforts tied to regional economic development priorities
• Design, launch, and manage time-limited, outcome-driven policy taskforces aligned with organizational priorities
• Support and lead regional advocacy engagements, including Capitol and Washington, DC activities
• Lead efforts to improve ease of doing business through regulatory alignment and customer-service-oriented government practices
• Conduct and analyze an annual regional business climate survey
• Support training for government staff and newly elected officials
• Support civic engagement and advocacy training for emerging leaders
• Coordinate with partner organizations on quality-of-life and talent-supporting initiatives, including housing, placemaking, and amenities

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, planning, economics, business, or a related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in policy, advocacy, government relations, or regional coordination
• Experience convening and managing multi-stakeholder taskforces or coalitions
• Strong understanding of local, state, and federal government processes
• Excellent written, verbal, and facilitation skills
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Ability to work collaboratively across jurisdictions and sectors
• Willingness to work flexible hours and travel regionally