State Program Administrator Director - Government Relations & Stakeholder Outreach Director

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

The Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) seeks a Government Relations & Stakeholder Outreach Director to oversee legislative activities, outreach, and statutory initiatives central to governance and sustainability. The role directs TRA’s government relations and policy functions with the Governor’s office, Legislature, and key agencies across state and federal levels.

Based in St. Paul, MN, the incumbent will lead strategic engagement with members, partners, and educators, manage multiple

Qualifications

• Four years of progressive work experience in government relations, legislative affairs, and/or stakeholder outreach.
• Bachelor’s degree can substitute for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct legislative activities and both internal and external stakeholder outreach.
• Coordinate TRA’s government relations and policy functions with state/federal partners and key offices.
• Lead management of the TRA biennial policy and budget-setting process from development to enactment.
• Ensure stakeholders are well informed about legislation impacts and TRA’s initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder outreach

Legislative affairs

Policy analysis

Data-driven decision making

Project management

Communications

Nonpartisan collaboration

Microsoft Office

Cisco WebEx

Education

Bachelor's degree (legal, business, public administration, political science or related)

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Cisco WebEx

Job description

• Working Title: Government Relations & Stakeholder Outreach Director

• Job Class: State Program Administrator, Director

• Agency: Teachers Retirement Association (TRA)

• Job ID: 97485

• Location: St. Paul

• Telework Eligible: Yes

• Full/Part Time: Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted: 10/05/2026

• Closing Date: 10/12/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Teachers Retirement Assoc / Teachers Retirement Asc - MMA

• Division/Unit: TRA Operations / Government Relations & Outreach

• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift

• Days of Work: Monday - Friday

• Travel Required: Yes - Up to 50%

• Salary Range: $38.83 - $55.93 / hourly; $81,077 - $116,781 / annually

• Classified Status: Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union: 216 - Middle Management Association/MMA

• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) has been administering pension coverage to Minnesota educators for decades, with a mission to help members and their beneficiaries plan for an independent and financially secure retirement. We are currently seeking job candidates who have exceptional knowledge of government process and a strong background in building solid professional relationships with colleagues, customers, and community partners for our Government Relations & Stakeholder Outreach Director role.

Our Government Relations & Stakeholder Outreach Director position exists to oversee and direct legislative activities, internal and external stakeholder outreach, and statutory initiatives that are central to the governance, administration, and long-term sustainability of the TRA. The Government Relations & Outreach Director provides leadership, management, and coordination of TRA’s government relations and policy functions with the Governor’s office, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), members of the Minnesota Legislature and staff, the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement (LCPR), members of the Minnesota’s congressional delegation and staff, and other appropriate state and federal government agencies. The incumbent represents TRA in legislative matters by providing policy direction, coordinating legislative initiatives and budgets, and advancing interests of the organization. The position also plays a leadership and decision-making role in the TRA biennial policy and budget-setting process from development to enactment. Management of all employer, member, and external special interest group outreach and education is further required of the role, in order to ensure these groups are well informed of new legislation impacts, as well as to ensure TRA is well informed of all internal and external stakeholder legislative initiatives and agendas.

This position is located at our St. Paul, Minnesota office, and will require the incumbent to work a schedule that includes regular in-office work in order to perform the essential job duties. Substantial business travel will be required throughout Minnesota, up to 50%.

Minimum Qualifications

Four (4) years of progressive work experience in government relations, legislative affairs, and/or stakeholder outreach.

A Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies, Business Law, Public or Business Administration, Political Science, or a related field can substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Work experience must also demonstrate the following:

• Experience in a leadership or supervisory role guiding, coaching, providing constructive feedback, and motivating others. Leadership can include training staff, acting as a lead worker, and/or serving as a high-level subject matter expert of a complex program.

• Experience in collecting and evaluating programmatic data in order to inform decision-making, streamline operational workflows, and enhance standard operating procedures (SOPs) to support organizational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

• Proven ability to develop a comprehensive understanding of complex state and federal financial and/or retirement laws and regulations, as well as state government data privacy requirements, policies, and procedures.

• Proven ability to monitor, review, analyze, and advise on public policy topics, legislative bills, and/or laws.

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to successfully lead, manage, and deliver multiple high-priority legislative projects simultaneously.

• Exceptional oral, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate and consult on complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences (e.g., Executive Management, the TRA Board of Trustees, legislators, etc).

• Strong interpersonal skills to build positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, as well as foster an inclusive, collaborative work environment and handle sensitive matters with discretion.

• Ability to work in a nonpartisan environment.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Cisco WebEx, and/or various equivalent software platforms.

Successful candidates must also possess the ability to secure their own transportation for substantial business travel throughout Minnesota.

Preferred Qualifications

An Advanced Degree in Legal Studies, Business Law, Public or Business Administration, Political Science, or a related field.

Managerial or supervisory experience within a public sector environment.

Experience working in a government entity that provides financial or pension services.

In-depth knowledge of Minnesota’s legislative process.

Knowledge of pension and/or retirement plan design, function, and administration.

Demonstrated experience developing and implementing comprehensive organizational stakeholder outreach strategies and presenting to executive boards.

Physical Requirements

This position requires occasional transporting of articles such as file folders, ledgers and/or small tools. May be required to move or maintain a stationary position for long periods of time.

Additional Requirements

Successful candidates must pass past-employer reference checks and a criminal background check.

It is the policy of TRA that all finalist(s) submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• State of Minnesota state government employment records check (applies to current and past State of Minnesota state government employees only)

• Criminal History Check

• Employee Reference Check

• Social Security and Address Verification

• Education Verification

• Driver's License Check

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.