Government Affairs Director

Pacific West Association of REALTORS®; Anaheim (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific West Association of REALTORS® (PWR) seeks an experienced Government Affairs Director to lead its advocacy, political engagement, and REALTOR Party programs across Los Angeles and Orange County, with expansive reach to major California cities including Anaheim.

The role develops strategies, represents PWR before officials, oversees grassroots activities, and builds cross-organization relationships to advance housing, property rights, and real estate policy priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, legislative affairs, public policy, political affairs, advocacy, campaigns, or related field.
• Experience working for an elected official, legislative office, or political campaigns is highly desirable.
• Media experience, including press writing and media training, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local government, legislative processes, political campaigns, and public-policy development.
• Strong advocacy strategy and political engagement understanding.
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build relationships across political, geographic, and organizational perspectives.
• Experience managing staff, consultants, programs, budgets, or major advocacy initiatives.
• Ability to exercise sound political judgment and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Lead PWR's local and regional government affairs strategy with the Government Affairs team.
• Monitor and analyze legislation, ordinances, regulations, ballot measures, and other public policy issues affecting real estate.
• Represent PWR's approved positions before elected officials, government agencies, and stakeholders.
• Develop advocacy strategies, policy recommendations, letters, and talking points.
• Maintain relationships with officials, staff, business groups, housing groups, and partners.
• Manage candidate interviews, endorsements, and political engagement activities.
• Lead RPAC and REALTOR Party initiatives, including fundraising and advocacy mobilization.
• Coordinate with C.A.R. and NAR on programs and resources.
• Identify grants and resources supporting advocacy priorities.
• Ensure compliance with campaign finance, lobbying, and election laws.
• Serve as staff liaison to Local Candidate Recommendations Committee (LCRC).
• Educate members on legislative and regulatory issues and opportunities for advocacy.

Skills

Strategic advocacy

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Team leadership

Budget management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Pacific West Association of REALTORS® (PWR) is seeking an experienced and strategic Government Affairs Director to lead the Association's government affairs, political advocacy, and REALTOR® Party programs.

The Government Affairs Director serves as PWR's lead advocate on local and regional public policy issues affecting real estate, housing, private property rights, and the REALTOR® profession. The position develops and executes advocacy strategies, represents PWR before elected officials and government agencies, oversees political and grassroots activities, and builds relationships that strengthen the Association's influence throughout PWR’s service area spanning Los Angeles County and Orange County and more than thirty cities including Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Fullerton, and Orange.

The Government Affairs Director works closely with the CEO, PWR volunteer leadership, government affairs staff, the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

• Lead PWR's local and regional government affairs strategy with the Government Affairs team.
• Monitor and analyze legislation, ordinances, regulations, ballot measures, and other public policy issues affecting real estate, housing, private property rights, and REALTOR® members.
• Represent PWR's approved positions before elected officials, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Develop advocacy strategies, policy recommendations, position letters, and talking points.
• Maintain strong relationships with elected officials, government staff, business organizations, housing groups, and other key partners.

Political & REALTOR® Party Programs

• Manage PWR's candidate interview, endorsement, and political engagement activities.
• Lead PWR's RPAC and REALTOR® Party initiatives, including fundraising, member participation, Calls for Action, Red Alerts, grants, issue mobilization, and independent expenditure opportunities.
• Coordinate with C.A.R. and NAR on legislative, political, and REALTOR® Party programs and resources.
• Identify and pursue grants and other resources that support PWR's advocacy priorities.
• Ensure political and advocacy activities, records, and reporting in order to comply with applicable campaign finance, lobbying, and election laws.
• Serve as staff liaison to PWR's Local Candidate Recommendations Committee (LCRC) and other assigned committees.
• Work with volunteer leaders to identify priorities, develop recommendations, and implement advocacy strategies.
• Educate and engage members on significant legislative and regulatory issues.
• Develop opportunities for REALTORS® to participate in advocacy and interact with policymakers.

Community & Public Affairs

• Build coalitions and partnerships with business, community, and regional organizations.
• Represent PWR on appropriate coalitions, committees, and community organizations.
• Work with PWR's communications team to develop effective public messaging around advocacy priorities.
• Help position PWR and REALTORS® as credible resources on housing, real estate, and community issues.
• Work with the Government Affairs team to provide strategic direction, establish priorities, and manage the government affairs budget and outside resources.
• Advise the CEO and Association Leadership on emerging political, legislative, and public policy issues.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should possess:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• At least 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, legislative affairs, public policy, political affairs, advocacy, campaigns, or a related field.
• Experience working for an elected official, serving in a legislative or government office, or managing a political campaign is highly desirable.
• Experience working with the media, including press writing, interviewing for print and television, and media training highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local government, legislative processes, political campaigns, and public-policy development.
• Strong understanding of advocacy strategy and political engagement.
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues and communicate them clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to develop relationships across political, geographic, and organizational perspectives.
• Experience managing staff, consultants, programs, budgets, or major advocacy initiatives.
• Ability to exercise sound political judgment and maintain appropriate confidentiality.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout PWR’s service area.

This is an externally focused position requiring significant relationship building throughout PWR's territory. The position requires attendance at city council and other government meetings, political and community events, REALTOR® meetings, and Association activities. Regular evening work, occasional weekend activities, and periodic travel within California and nationally should be expected.

About Pacific West Association of REALTORS®

Pacific West Association of REALTORS® represents over 10,000 real estate professionals throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County. The mission of PWR is to serve as the leading voice of real estate, delivering a clear and consistent message that supports and informs our members, communities, and elected officials. Through advocacy, professional resources, education, and community engagement, PWR works to strengthen the REALTOR® profession and promote policies that support housing opportunities, private property rights, housing affordability, balanced regulation, and responsible communities.

Pacific West Association of REALTORS® is an equal opportunity employer.