Manager, State Governmental Affairs

American Academy of Ophthalmology; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 105,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is seeking a Manager, State Governmental Affairs to advance state legislative, regulatory, and public affairs strategies that support patient safety, access to high-quality physician-led eye care, and the practice of ophthalmology.

Based in Washington, DC, this role works with state ophthalmology societies, physician leaders, lobbyists, consultants, medical organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders across multiple states.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and implementing state-level government affairs or public policy strategies.
• Strong writing, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience coordinating lobbyists, consultants, coalition partners, and stakeholders across multiple states.
• Familiarity with legislative tracking systems and data analytics.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with travel.
• Experience with AI-enabled tools for policy research or advocacy planning.

Responsibilities

• Analyze state policy developments and prepare advocacy materials.
• Coordinate grassroots and coalition efforts with ophthalmology societies and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with communications and federal affairs on cross-state issues.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Written communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Legislative tracking systems

AI-enabled policy tools

Job description

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is seeking a Manager, State Governmental Affairs to help advance state legislative, regulatory, and public affairs strategies that support patient safety, access to high-quality physician-led eye care, and the practice of ophthalmology. Based in Washington, DC, this role works with state ophthalmology societies, physician leaders, lobbyists, consultants, medical organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders across multiple states.

The Manager will analyze state policy developments, prepare advocacy and policy materials, coordinate grassroots and coalition efforts, support proactive state advocacy programs, and use data analytics, artificial intelligence, and emerging advocacy technologies to strengthen legislative monitoring, stakeholder engagement, communications, and strategic planning. The role also collaborates with internal communications and federal affairs colleagues on issues that cross state and federal policy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of state and federal legislative, regulatory, and political processes, with experience developing and implementing state-level government affairs, lobbying, or public policy strategies.
• Experience coordinating contract lobbyists, consultants, coalition partners, vendors, and other stakeholders across multiple states or advocacy initiatives.
• Strong writing, communication, relationship-building, project management, and analytical skills, including the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling messages.
• Experience with legislative tracking systems, electronic research tools, data analytics, and artificial intelligence-enabled tools used for policy research, monitoring, stakeholder analysis, communications, or advocacy planning.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment; occasional travel is required for meetings, hearings, advocacy events, and the Academy’s Annual Meeting.