Director of Government Affairs

Job description

The Director of Government Affairs is the principal owner of ACEC Minnesota's legislative, regulatory, and public agency advocacy. The role exists to advance the business interests of member firms in law and rule. In coordination with the CEO, the Director sets and executes the organization's advocacy strategy, owns its relationships with legislators and agency leadership, and is accountable for advocacy outcomes.

Core Responsibilities

Legislative strategy and session management

Develop the annual legislative agenda in coordination with the CEO and own its execution through session

Analyze and prioritize legislation affecting the engineering industry, including procurement, qualifications-based selection, professional licensure, liability, and infrastructure funding

Represent ACEC Minnesota at the Capitol, including direct engagement with legislators and staff, testimony, and coordination of CEO and member testimony

Produce the end-of-session summary and interim analysis

Lobbying and compliance

Maintain working knowledge of Minnesota campaign finance and lobbying law

Report all campaign finance activity (contributions and expenses) on a weekly basis

Regulatory and agency advocacy

Co-own with the CEO ACEC Minnesota's working relationships with MnDOT, the Metropolitan Council, state licensing boards, and other agencies whose rules and procurement practices affect member firms

Monitor rulemaking dockets and policy changes and represent the organization in rulemaking proceedings

Draft comment letters

Advise on coalition responses

Convert member firm concerns about agency practice, including procurement and contract terms, into defined advocacy objectives

Coalition and stakeholder management

Build and manage coalitions with allied organizations on shared legislative and regulatory priorities

Serve as ACEC Minnesota's principal in coalition settings, with authority to speak to positions the CEO has approved

Committee leadership

Staff the government affairs committee and connect committee activity to the legislative agenda

Support the PAC and campaign fund committees with fundraising, candidate evaluation, event planning, and compliance awareness

National coordination

Align state advocacy with ACEC National priorities

Coordinate federal fly-in participation twice per year

Maintain relationships with the Minnesota congressional delegation's staff

Executive and member communication

Brief the CEO on legislative and regulatory developments with analysis that supports decisions

Produce member-facing advocacy communications

A successful candidate for the position of Director of Government Affairs owns advocacy outcomes. They define what ACEC Minnesota wants from a relationship or an issue and are accountable for whether the organization gets it. The Director operates independently at the director level, with work product reaching the CEO in final, publishable form.

To be successful in this position, they must manage multiple concurrent issues through session and between sessions without dropped commitments to members, legislators, coalition partners, or agencies. This position must maintain complete records of positions taken and commitments made so institutional knowledge survives the role holder.

Qualifications and Competencies

Demonstrated experience owning a legislative or regulatory portfolio, including direct lobbying and coalition leadership

Working knowledge of Minnesota legislative process, administrative rulemaking, and public procurement

Ability to translate technical member firm concerns into positions legislators and agency staff can act on

Strong analytical writing under deadline, with a demonstrated record of accuracy

Judgment to know when to commit the organization and when to escape to the CEO

Compensation and Benefits

The starting salary range for this position is$95,000 to $115,000. Placement within the range reflects demonstrated experience owning a legislative or regulatory portfolio, including direct lobbying and coalition leadership. This is a full-time, exempt position based in downtown Saint Paul.

Medical, dental, and vision. Coverage begins the first of the month following 30 days of employment. ACEC Minnesota pays 80 percent of the employee-only premium and 50 percent of dependent premiums.

Retirement. The ACEC Minnesota 401(k) Plan makes a 3 percent safe harbor employer contribution, fully vested immediately. You receive it whether or not you contribute. Eligibility begins on your date of hire, with plan entry the first of the month that follows. Pre-tax and Roth deferrals are available.

Parking. Covered parking in the World Trade Center ramp at no cost.

Review and bonus. Compensation is reviewed annually in July, aligned with the fiscal year. The position is eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus based on organizational and individual performance.

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Worksite address

saint paul, MN, 55199, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.