LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS DIRECTOR - 43000542

Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Department of Financial Services in Tallahassee seeks a Legislative Affairs Director to lead the development and passage of the department's legislative priorities, acting as chief lobbyist and advisor to the CFO and executive team.

The role requires five years of Florida government experience, a bachelor’s degree, and strong data analysis, drafting, and communication skills to manage staff and deliver under deadlines.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Florida Legislative process and cabinet process.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and legal research.
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret legislative issues and data.
• Ability to draft legislation.
• Ability to manage staff.
• Excellent reading comprehension, analysis, and organization skills.
• Strong oral and written communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.

Responsibilities

• Lead coordination, development and passage of the Department’s legislative priorities.
• Serve as principal legislative advisor to the Department’s executive team and CFO.
• Act as the Department’s chief lobbyist and liaison with the Florida Legislature.
• Analyze, develop, and draft major policy initiatives and recommend program adjustments.
• Direct research, reporting and analysis on bills and legislative issues affecting the Department.
• Prepare staff for legislative hearings and provide testimony as needed.
• Maintain liaison with the public and elected officials and handle sensitive issues.

Skills

Legislative process knowledge

Legal terminology

Data analysis

Draft legislation

Staff management

Oral and written communication

Organizing and prioritizing work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Requisition No: 886499

Agency: Financial Services

Working Title: LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS DIRECTOR - 43000542

Pay Plan: SMS

Position Number: 43000542

Salary: $100,000.00 -$110,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 11/11/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

• OPEN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY*****

CLASS TITLE: DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS SMS

WORKING TITLE: LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF

CITY: TALLAHASSEE

COUNTY: LEON

Five (5) years professional experience in Florida government performing research, analysis, program planning and evaluation, or administrative work is preferred.

Additional Preference

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the Florida Legislative process and cabinet process.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and legal research.
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret legislative issues and data.
• Ability to draft legislation.
• Ability to manage staff.
• Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, and organization.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to take action in situations that lack clear direction.
• Ability to take initiative on independent research projects.
• Ability to produce quality work under pressure.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the demands of legislative members, their staff, the public, and others.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a team member and contribute to the efficient internal functioning of the department.
• Ability to conduct in-depth, carefully documented, and credible analysis under minimal supervision within established deadlines.
• Ability to conduct meetings and make presentations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to organize data into a logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality.

Special Notes

The salary range for this position is $100,000.00 -$110,000.00 annually.

Employees of the Department of Financial Services are paid on a monthly pay cycle.

This position requires a security background check, including fingerprint as a condition of employment.

Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

Brief Description Of Duties

The Legislative Affairs Director serves as a high-profile representative of the Department of Financial Services within the Office of Legislative Affairs and has been designated by the Chief Financial Officer as managerial in accordance with Section 110.205 (2)(n)1.a. Florida Statutes. This position provides guidance to management, establishes priorities and objectives and formulates policy concerning the nature and scope of the services related to matters of legislative policy and as such represents the CFO and Department independently on these matters. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead in the coordination, development and successful passage of the Department’s legislative priorities.
• Serve as principal legislative advisor to the Department’s executive team and CFO.
• Act as the Department’s chief lobbyist and liaison in interactions with the Florida Legislature.
• Participate in the analysis, development, and drafting of major policy initiatives and recommend program adjustments necessary to implement these initiatives.
• Direct the research, report preparation and analysis relative to bills proposed and filed as well as other legislative issues that impact the Department.
• Prepare Department staff for legislative committee presentations and provide testimony on behalf of the Department before legislative committees.
• Maintain close liaison with the general public and elected officials and handles sensitive issues as they relate to activities of the Department.
• Supervise the Office of Legislative Affairs and its staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.