Legislative Policy Manager

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is seeking a Legislative Policy Manager who will represent the Tribe and its Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. You will assist in developing legislative priorities across local, state, and federal levels, monitor policy changes, and provide analytical insights to guide tribal initiatives.

Responsibilities include coordinating with departments, drafting policy language, and liaising with government stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; six years in legislative/policy field; tribal or complex government experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with internal departments to align on legislative and regulatory matters.
• Researches and drafts legislative language, analyses and policy briefs.
• Represents the Tribe at coalition meetings, hearings and conferences as directed.
• Manages political contributions accounts and ensures compliance with campaign finance laws.
• Prepares reports, memos, and presentations for Tribal Council and stakeholders.
• Provides staffing support for Tribal Council members at policy and political events.

Skills

Legislative policy

Analytical writing

Stakeholder engagement

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Reporting to the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, the Legislative Policy Manager serves in a high‑profile position as a representative of the San Manuel (the Tribe) and the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA). Assists in the development and implementation of the Tribe’s legislative and policy priorities on local, state, and federal matters, including policy related to Indian affairs. Assists the Tribe in implementing communication and education activities with local, state, and federal governments on issues that impact the Tribe and Indian Country. Is responsible for researching issues that could affect the Tribe, its economic enterprises, and related topics. Within this role, the Manager possesses the ability to monitor, analyze and disseminate key information to provide quantitative and qualitative insights by defining issues clearly, drawing valid conclusions, and making recommendations to facilitate key Tribal initiatives. Must also maintain a strict level of confidentiality and act in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations imposed on the individual and on the Tribe and its enterprises. Advocates the Tribe’s goals and priorities in a way that faithfully reflects and upholds the Tribal Community’s vision, mission, and values.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Collaborates with internal departments, including legal, compliance, human resources, Executive Leadership Cabinet and Office of the Tribal Council, to ensure alignment on legislative and regulatory matters. Conducts internal planning sessions to develop legislative and policy agenda for the Tribe by reviewing, monitoring, and tracking pending or proposed legislation or regulatory changes through careful evaluation of their impact to the Tribe, region, or Indian county. Prepares detailed written analysis of pending actions and monitors the political environment at all levels to make appropriate strategic recommendations for favorable outcomes. Gathers quantitative and qualitative data to draft language and/or revisions to new and pending legislation and regulations as needed, while assessing trends and their direct impact to San Manuel or areas of interest to the Tribe. Evaluates the effects of legislative or regulatory changes on existing San Manuel policies by preparing detailed, written analysis of legislation, as well as advocacy papers, educational documents, and fact sheets on relevant legislative issues.
2. Liaises with governmental affairs stakeholders and represents the Tribe’s positions at coalition/industry group meetings, hearings, and conferences under the direction of the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs by proactively researching and observing changes in policies that could be impactful to the Tribe. Develops briefs, reports, and provides timely and accurate communication on issues addressed in meetings and conferences attended. Identifies and provides analytical summaries of potential government grant opportunities that align with organizational goals, coordinating with internal departments and organizing meetings with external government agencies for application assistance. Ensures rules and audit compliance requirements are met.
3. Manages and reconciles important federal, state, and local political contribution accounts, ensuring accurate record‑keeping, reporting, and maintaining political account balances. Provides guidance and ensures adherence to campaign finance regulations, including contribution limits, reporting deadlines, gift limits and disclosure requirements. Provides comprehensive oversight of political action committee including annual board meetings and ensuring adherence to regulations. Develops strategic messaging, establishes timelines, ensures compliance, and manages consulting firms for Independent Expenditure campaigns. Collaborates with internal team members to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at ballot initiatives including conducting research, analyzing data, engaging stakeholders, and formulating messaging strategies to effectively communicate the initiative’s goals and garner support/opposition.
4. Analyzes and prepares a variety of reports, letters, memoranda, correspondence, and other written materials; independently composes correspondence and reports related to assigned areas of responsibility; designs and produces charts, graphs, presentations, and spreadsheets; prepares and submits reports and related documents for presentations to the Tribal Council, General Assembly, and other stakeholders.
5. Maintains and tracks political and policy events for awareness of Tribal Council. Researches, prepares, and provides staffing support for Tribal Council members at policy and political events.
6. Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in political science, Public Relations, Communications, or related field required. Minimum of six (6) years of experience in legislative and policy field required, preferably in a Tribal environment required. Experience with complex government organizations or commercial enterprises required. Related, relevant, and/or direct experience may be considered in lieu of minimum educational requirements indicated above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Experience in delivering high‑quality communication products preferred. Must have a high‑level understanding of state and federal legislative processes. Individuals must possess demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently. Strong knowledge of Indian Affairs issues is preferred. Experience with PACs is preferred. Experience in planning and executing events is strongly preferred. Familiarity and experience with general office equipment, including copiers, printers, and computers. Must be proficient in MS Office Suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Adobe, and/or other graphic design software. Experience working effectively with teams on assignments of highly delicate and demanding natures. Must be able to respond effectively to inquiries from outside governmental staff, officials, tribal government leaders and members. Must be professional, capable of using caution and discretion in communication. Must be self‑motivated, high performer, able to meet deadlines. Must be fluent with state and federal legislative tracking systems. Must have a command of state and federal ethics laws and campaign finance laws. Holds self and others to the highest standards of integrity, selflessness, sound judgment and performance. Possesses superior interpersonal skills with awareness and nimbleness to adapt to personalities and preferences. Treats confidential information with caution, discretion, and tact. Possesses ability to draft reports and correspondence with proper grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Occasional travel may be necessary to fulfil the responsibilities of this position.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS

At the discretion of the San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission, you may be required to obtain and maintain a gaming license. Authorized Driver: Role requires operation or driving of Tribe‑owned vehicles or driving patron vehicles. A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record as determined by the insurance carrier is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ WORKING CONDITIONS – ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and working environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Primary work environment is in a climate‑controlled office setting. Work requires travel to attend meetings, trade shows, and conferences. Incumbents may be required to work evening, weekend and holiday shifts. Must be able to work in a fast‑paced, high‑demand environment. Strength sufficient to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects and/or move up to 40 pounds occasionally. Sedentary work: involves sitting most of the time. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Physical activities that apply to the essential functions of the position are balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Hearing sufficient to hear conversational levels in person, via videoconference and over the telephone. Speech sufficient to make oneself heard and understood in person, in front of groups, in meetings, via videoconference and over the telephone. Visual acuity that meets the requirements of the position: The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading and visual inspection of employees, visitors or facility. Mobility sufficient to safely move in an office environment, walk, stoop, bend and kneel, and enter, exit and operate a motor vehicle in the course of travel to promotional events, meetings, conferences, trade shows and San Manuel properties. Endurance sufficient to sit, walk and stand for extended periods, and maintain efficiency throughout the entire work shift and during extended work hours. The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles including secondhand smoke. Reasonable accommodation will be made in compliance with all applicable law.

As one of the largest private employers in the Inland Empire, San Manuel deeply cares about the future, growth and well‑being of its employees. San Manuel is one of the largest employers in California’s Inland Empire. Managing one of the world’s busiest casinos, our many restaurants, and a fully functioning tribal government means we can offer an incredibly wide range of professional and support positions. Each is an opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to a better future for all of us. Your commitment to San Manuel is matched by our commitment to you. We offer a Total Rewards package of monetary, benefits and development rewards to individuals who meet and exceed specific goals. These programs support our pay‑for‑performance philosophy.