Policy Director

We are seeking a Policy Director to sit in any of our office locations to join our dynamic State & Local Government Relations practice.
 
The Policy Director serves as a senior leader within the State & Local Government Relations practice, responsible for driving high-level policy strategy, overseeing multi-state advocacy initiatives, and managing complex client portfolios across diverse legislative environments. This role requires a seasoned government relations professional with direct experience lobbying state legislatures in multiple states, established relationships with legislative leadership, and active engagement in national policymaking forums such as National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL), National Governor’s Association (NGA), or other legislative/executive leadership groups.
 
The Policy Director provides strategic counsel to executive-level clients, develops and executes multi-state advocacy campaigns, and anticipates emerging legislative and regulatory issues across all 50 states. This position also plays a pivotal role in business development—ideally bringing existing client relationships or demonstrating the capacity to independently build and grow a personal book of business with minimal guidance. In addition, the Policy Director leads internal teams, steers policy research and analysis, and represents the firm and its clients in high-impact policy and stakeholder settings.
 
Key Responsibilities and Job Duties:
 
Strategic Government Relations & Advocacy Leadership

• Lead multi-state lobbying and advocacy campaigns before state legislatures, governors’ offices, and regulatory agencies, preferably drawing on direct lobbying experience in multiple states.
• Maintain and leverage strong, existing relationships with key legislative leaders, committee chairs, senior staff, and influential policy makers across state capitols.
• Develop, refine, and oversee long-term advocacy strategies aligned with client priorities and political landscapes.
• Provide senior-level guidance on risk assessment, political forecasting, and strategic positioning.

 
Legislative & Regulatory Oversight

• Direct the monitoring, assessment, and strategic interpretation of legislation, regulations, and policy developments across all 50 states, building on personal experience navigating multiple state legislative environments.
• Apply advanced knowledge of state legislative procedures and political dynamics gained through direct engagement with state leadership, caucus structures, and cross-state legislative networks.
• Serve as a subject‑matter leader on state policy trends, leveraging participation in national legislative organizations to anticipate emerging issues and inform client strategy.
• Oversee development of high-quality policy analyses and briefing materials that support executive-level decision‑making and multi-state advocacy planning.
• Ensure all tracking systems, monitoring tools, and strategic assessments accurately reflect rapidly changing policy landscapes across multiple jurisdictions.

 
Executive Client Strategy & Relationship Management

• Serve as a primary strategic advisor to client executives, particularly on managing multi-state policy portfolios, complex state-level risks, and jurisdiction‑specific advocacy pathways.
• Bring experience leading legislative and regulatory strategy across a multi-state portfolio in either an in-house role with a business or trade association or through representation of multi-state clients at a prior firm.
• Develop comprehensive, multi-state policy and advocacy plans tailored to client objectives, leveraging deep relationships with legislative leadership and key decision‑makers.
• Provide clients with strategic insights grounded in direct experience working across diverse state political environments and participating in national policy forums.
• Facilitate executive-level policy briefings and cross-state strategy sessions that help clients weigh risks, prioritize states, and allocate resources effectively during high-impact legislative cycles.

 
Business Development, Marketing & Client Growth

• Lead and contribute to business development initiatives aimed at expanding the firm’s client portfolio and strengthening its position in the state and local government relations market.
• Bring an existing network of prospective clients, industry partners, and policy stakeholders across a multi-state legislative/regulatory landscape or possess the demonstrated ability to successfully cultivate and grow a book of business.
• Independently identify, pursue, and secure new client relationships, leveraging deep policy expertise, strong reputation, and strategic insight into state level issues.
• Drive development of proposals, pitch presentations, scopes of work, and marketing materials that effectively communicate the firm’s capabilities and value.
• Actively participate in national legislative associations and executive leadership networks—such as NCSL, NGA, or issue‑specific coalitions—to advance client priorities and strengthen the firm’s strategic influence.
• Monitor emerging policy and market trends to proactively identify new business opportunities and position the practice for growth.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism and client service to ensure long-term retention, satisfaction, and portfolio expansion.

 
Stakeholder & Coalition Leadership

• Cultivate and manage relationships with national and state-level stakeholders, including trade associations, advocacy coalitions, and industry leaders.
• Direct client engagement with policymakers and influential stakeholders to advance legislative and regulatory objectives.
• Identify partnership and coalition-building opportunities that enhance advocacy effectiveness.

 
Content Strategy & Development

• Oversee creation of high-impact policy updates, strategic issue briefs, blogs, alerts, and analysis pieces.
• Ensure content reflects deep expertise, strategic insight, and client relevance.
• Guide development of internal knowledge resources and client-facing materials on key policy topics.

 
Team Leadership & Professional Development

• Provide mentorship, coaching, and strategic direction to policy analysts and advisors.
• Review and enhance team outputs to ensure accuracy, depth, and strategic alignment.
• Contribute to organizational planning, resource allocation, and cross-functional coordination.

 
Compensation: Salary will range between $250,000 and $300,000 depending on experience. A discretionary bonus may also be available based on performance. This role is also eligible for the following firm benefits: medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, voluntary insurance including vision,401(k) plan and matching contributions, profit sharing contributions and paid time off.
 
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume.
 
Search Firms: No search firms at this time.
 
Brownstein is an equal opportunity employer.
 
Brownstein will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities incompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, interpretive regulations and other authority, and applicable state laws.
 
While Brownstein does not discriminate on the basis of citizenship, the successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship of a work visa, or Brownstein assuming sponsorship of an existing work visa; including student visas with an OPT/CPT designation.