Legislative Director

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package (health

Dental, vision, retirement

Telework opportunities

Tuition reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Free parking / Transit pass

Job summary

Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) in Washington State seeks a Legislative Director to shape and advance policy proposals protecting consumers and strengthening the economy. You will lead the legislative agenda, advise the Commissioner, and coordinate with legislators, Governor’s Office, agencies, and stakeholders from a central role in the Policy and Legislative Affairs Division.

The position demands exceptional judgment, strategic thinking, negotiation skills, and the ability to manage

Qualifications

• Nine (9) years of full-time professional work experience in policy or legislative work.
• Experience as principal advisor to executive staff on policy or legislative activity.
• Experience coordinating testimony at legislative hearings.
• Experience developing written legislative language and related materials.
• Three (3) years supervising subordinates, including coaching and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal legislative adviser to the Insurance Commissioner and executive leadership on legislative proposals and priorities.
• Lead the development and execution of the Commissioner’s legislative agenda with the Policy and Legislative Affairs Division.
• Build and maintain relationships with legislators, Governor’s Office, state agencies, industry reps, consumer advocates, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and coordinate legislative proposals, including drafting language and briefing materials for sponsorship.
• Coordinate the agency’s legislative strategy, track legislation, and guide bill analyses and agency positions.
• Coordinate legislative testimony and hearing preparation, briefing leadership and experts as needed.
• Analyze complex policy, legislative, and regulatory issues and provide timely recommendations.
• Guide proposals and budget decision packages through the legislative process and provide updates to leadership.
• Serve as the Commissioner’s direct legislative liaison for high-priority information requests and constituent concerns.
• Communicate legislative developments across the agency and provide status updates before, during, and after sessions.
• Represent the agency in meetings with interested parties and external partners to advance priorities.

Skills

State legislative processes

Policy advisory experience

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Public Administration / Political Science or related field

Job description

Make a Difference: Protect Consumers & Join Our Dynamic Team!

This recruitment will remain open until October 7, 2026. The agency reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time after the initial screening date on September 23, 2026. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) seeks a qualified individual for the Legislative Director position. This role is within the Policy and Legislative Affairs Division and is based out of our Capitol Campus Office.

We are an employer of choice! Here’s why:

• Meaningful work: Ensure a healthy insurance market & protect Washington consumers.
• Impactful career: Make a daily difference in the lives of countless Washingtonians.
• Small agency, big opportunities: Gain a holistic understanding of our mission and build strong relationships with colleagues.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion: OIC is committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment - by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures, and attributes.

About the Position

Are you a strategic policy leader who thrives at the intersection of public service, legislation, and collaboration? The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) is seeking a Legislative Director to help shape and advance policies that protect consumers, serve the public interest, and strengthen Washington’s economy.

As a key member of the Policy and Legislative Affairs Division, the Legislative Director serves as a principal policy advisor to the Insurance Commissioner and executive leadership on legislative proposals and policy priorities affecting Washington’s insurance system. Reporting to the Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Legislative Affairs, this highly visible role leads the development and execution of the Commissioner’s legislative agenda and serves as a trusted liaison to legislators, legislative staff, the Governor’s Office, state agencies, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and other stakeholders.

The Legislative Director brings together complex policy, legal, and legislative information to develop thoughtful recommendations and strategic approaches. From shaping legislative proposals and coordinating agency testimony to tracking bills through the legislative process and advising executive leadership on emerging policy issues, this position plays a central role in translating the agency’s mission and priorities into meaningful legislative action.

Success in this role requires exceptional judgment, communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and strategic thinking. The Legislative Director must be comfortable navigating a fast-paced environment, building trust across diverse perspectives, managing competing priorities, and communicating complex issues clearly—all while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on issues that affect Washington consumers, businesses, and communities every day. If you are energized by public service, skilled at bringing people together, and ready to help shape the future of insurance policy in Washington, we invite you to apply.

This recruitment may be used to establish a qualified pool of candidates for Legislative Director vacancies in the next sixty days.

This is a Civil Service Exempt position. The annual salary range for this position is $105,000 - $140,000.

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive benefits package: Health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave (vacation, sick, etc.) and much more!
• Supportive work environment: We value diversity, professional growth, and collaborative atmosphere.
• Wellness programs: Invest in your well-being with on-site resources and initiatives.
• Work-life balance: Flexible schedules with telework opportunities.
• Public service fulfillment: Contribute to a cause that matters and feel the satisfaction of serving the public good.
• Training & Development: Continuously learn and grow with tuition reimbursement, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and other programs.
• Free parking (Tumwater) & Public transportation pass (Thurston County): Save on commuting costs.
• And more! Explore our website for additional benefits: https://www.insurance.wa.gov

The duties of the position include but are not limited to:

• Serve as a principal legislative advisor to the Insurance Commissioner and executive leadership on legislative proposals, policy priorities, and strategic legislative matters affecting the agency and Washington’s insurance environment.
• Lead the development and execution of the Commissioner’s legislative agenda, working closely with executive leadership and the Policy and Legislative Affairs Division to identify priorities and advance strategic objectives.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with legislators, legislative staff, the Governor’s Office, state agencies, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and other key interested parties.
• Develop and coordinate legislative proposals, including drafting or guiding legislative language, briefing materials, and supporting documentation, and cultivating legislative sponsorship.
• Coordinate the agency’s legislative strategy and response, including tracking legislation, guiding bill analyses, developing agency positions, and advising leadership on emerging legislative issues.
• Coordinate legislative testimony and hearing preparation, including developing testimony, briefing executive leadership and subject matter experts, and testifying on behalf of the agency when appropriate.
• Analyze complex policy, legislative, and regulatory issues and provide clear, timely recommendations to the Commissioner, executive leadership, and agency programs.
• Guide legislative proposals and budget decision packages through the legislative process, tracking progress and providing regular updates and strategic advice to executive leadership.
• Serve as the Commissioner’s direct legislative liaison, responding to high-priority information requests and constituent concerns from legislators, legislative staff, and the Governor’s Office.
• Communicate legislative developments and policy priorities across the agency, providing timely status reports and guidance before, during, and after the legislative session.
• Represent the agency at interested parties’ meetings, communicating agency positions and fostering constructive relationships with internal and external partners.
• Advise agency divisions and programs on legislative and policy matters, providing written, verbal, and electronic guidance to support consistent implementation of agency priorities.
• Supervise and develop the Legislative Coordinator, providing direction, coaching, performance management, and support for professional growth.
• Participate in national regulatory policy discussions, including active involvement with the NAIC Legislative Liaison Committee.
• Collaborate across the agency and with external partners to advance policies that support the OIC’s mission to protect consumers, the public interest, and Washington’s economy.

Contact Us: For inquiries about this position and its full duties, please contact us at [e-mail] and add the requisition number 2026-07730 and the job title to the subject line of your email.

Required Qualifications

Nine (9) years of full-time professional work experience* including:

• Knowledge and understanding of state legislative processes, including strategic evaluation of policy direction.

And/Or

• Serving as principal advisor to executive staff on policy and potential legislative activity experience.

And/Or

• Coordinating testimony of an agency or business at legislative hearings.

At least three (3) years of experience must include:

• Analyzing or preparing reports, issue papers, guidance, and other materials related to appropriation hearings, committee mark-ups, conference committee actions, legislative issues, and laws that may impact organizational programs.

Or

• Developing written legislative language and related material for legislative strategies, hearings, testimonies, program documentation, and briefing packages.

In addition to above experience:

• Three (3) years demonstrated experience supervising subordinates including planning/assigning/directing work, coaching and performance management.

*A degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science or related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation, or a foreign equivalent may be substituted for relevant experience. Proof of degree may be required prior to employment. If a degree was awarded outside of the United States, candidates must provide a credential evaluation report.

Academic Degree Equivalency Chart

• Associate’s Degree – 2 years of experience
• Bachelor’s Degree – 4 years of experience
• Master’s Degree – 5 years of experience

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with federal agencies, Washington Congressional delegation and staff, and Tribal affairs.
• Knowledge of the Washington insurance environment and Washington insurance laws, rules, or the insurance laws and rules of another state.
• Lobbying experience working for public or non-profit clients.
• Master's degree* in public policy or administration, political science, business administration, or related field.
• Juris doctorate degree*.

Ready to join us?

Welcome to the OIC

• Wage/salary depends on qualifications or state rules of compensation (if currently a state employee).

• State law (RCW 48.02.090[5]) prohibits employees of the OIC from having any interest, directly or indirectly, in an insurance company other than as a policyholder. This prohibition includes the receipt of renewal commissions. If employment is accepted with this agency, you agree to abide by this state law.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• The Office of Insurance Commissioner is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at [e-mail]. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
• If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing (log in, password or email issues) or completing your application (error messages), please call toll-free at [phone].
• Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact us at [e-mail].