Job Title: Senior State Government Relations Manager

Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its Senior State Government Relations Manager in the Southern Region of the United States. Reporting to the Director of State Government Relations, this position assists in developing, communicating, and clarifying the Foundation’s stance on legislation, regulations, and other proposals to state lawmakers, regulators, and government officials. This role monitors legislative and regulatory activities, identifies relevant areas for the Foundation, and maintains strategic relationships with state elected officials and agency staff.

This individual’s legislative portfolio will cover the Southern Region of the United States. This position will be based remotely within the following states: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WV.

Key Responsibilities:

Legislative Affairs:  

• Develop, communicate, and explain the Foundation’s position on legislation, regulations, and other proposals to state lawmakers, regulators, and other government officials, with oversight and supervision from manager 

• Manage a portfolio of states within assigned territory in the country 

• Lead legislative and regulatory priorities and identify areas of importance to the Foundation 

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with state lawmakers, staff, and agencies 

• Draft written testimony, talking points, briefings, and PowerPoint Presentations for various audiences. Provide in-person and remote legislative testimony before legislative committees and external stakeholder organizations including but not limited to, other Parkinson’s organizations and non-Parkinson’s organizations 

• Issue Monitoring and Analysis: Stay informed about legislative and regulatory developments at the state level that may impact the Foundation’s community.  Conduct thorough analysis to assess potential implications and inform strategic advocacy efforts 
  
  
• Develop subject matter expertise on a range of policy issues that impact the Parkinson’s community 

Advocacy Efforts:  

• Work in a team environment in conjunction with the Foundation’s Advocacy team toward more “in-state” policy-oriented events such as Lobby Days and coordinated coalition efforts with the patient community 
  
  
• Duties may include assistance with planning and logistics regarding policy-related events and webinars 

Coalition Engagement:  

• Support creating and maintaining strong relationships with other research, healthcare, and patient organizations.  As assigned, serve as the Foundation’s representative in various coalitions and work groups 
  
  
• Develop and build relationships for coalition engagement opportunities to support overall government relations priorities  

Team Administration/Operations:  

• Attend staff meetings, internal and external coalition group meetings, support and/or manage other duties as they are assigned 
  
  
• Compliance and Reporting: Ensure compliance with relevant lobbying and disclosure requirements, and accurately report on advocacy activities, expenditures, and outcomes 

Qualifications and Skills: 

• Relevant experience working in state government affairs, public policy, public relations, political campaigns, trade association, nonprofit organization or a related role

• Relevant experience working directly with state lawmakers is preferred

• Ability to register as a state lobbyist in multiple states

• Strong organization and time management skills, acute attention to detail, and knowledge of MS Office (including Excel, PowerPoint and Word) are essential

• Ability to synthesize large amounts of information into compelling, actionable insights, and an understanding of the political landscape

• Demonstrated ability to research and grasp complex policy issues. History of effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills evidenced in part through successful presentations 

• Resourceful, results oriented, team-player 

• Working knowledge of SharePoint, Quorum, and Salesforce
  
  
• Ability to collaborate with team members to accomplish project goals and also be able to operate independently and take on projects proactively
  
  
• Approximately 20% day or overnight travel during peak legislative season to various states for legislative hearings, lobby days, press conferences, and other related events 
  
  
• Occasional overnight or day travel to NYC office, Washington, D.C., local events, and events around the country. Minimal to occasional evening/weekend work