State Legislative Director at Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence (Washington, DC)

[Dieneria Brown]

Title: State Legislative Director
Reports to: Government Affairs Director
Direct Reports: State Legislative Manager
Hours: Full-time, exempt
Location: Washington, DC

Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords is a nonprofit organization whose team is on a mission to save lives from gun violence. Giffords is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. People of color, trans individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, women, people with differing abilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are seeking a State Legislative Director to join our team. The State Legislative Director manages and executes Giffords’ state legislative strategy and serves as a liaison to elected officials, key stakeholders, and staff at the state and local level.

This is a full-time position based in either our Washington DC office. This position requires the ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time and interest in staffing occasional weekend and evening events. As the safety and wellbeing of our team is of utmost importance, all Giffords staff members are working remotely until it is safe for us to resume working in an office, traveling, and holding in-person meetings.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until position is filled. Due to high volume of applicants, no phone calls or emails, please.

Duties + Responsibilities:

• Develop strategy, tactics, and work plans for advancing Giffords’ gun violence prevention priorities in multiple state legislatures, including both proactive and defensive goals.
• Lead and develop relationships with state legislators, their staff, and state-level advocates and stakeholders through frequent communication and by providing guidance and resources.
• Manage state legislative staff and in-state consultants, including contract lobbyists.
• Establish a dynamic and multi-faceted narrative around state legislative efforts.
• Represent Giffords to state allies and partners to strengthen relationships, communicate Giffords’ goals, and provide education regarding gun safety issues.
• Oversee the state legislative team’s coordination with the communications, engagement, and political teams, including working with communications staff to approve state policy content, coordinating with the engagement team on state-based advocacy efforts, and assisting the Giffords political team with political activities at the state level. 
• Collaborate with Giffords Law Center to develop and maintain a strong, integrated state legislative program in advancement of gun safety policies.
• Collaborate with the Community Violence Initiative team on community violence policies at state and local levels and oversee the development and execution of legislative strategies in support of those policies.
• Monitor legislative developments on an ongoing basis, provide analysis of new information, and support the state legislative agenda via writing and reviewing talking points, fact sheets, testimony, letters, and reports.
• Plan and execute state briefings and special events.
• Act as Giffords’ primary state legislative spokesperson with the press and media, and at other public facing events.
• Identify and elevate compliance questions and meet all compliance regulations and requirements related to state lobbying work.
• Manage Giffords memberships, partnerships, and participation at conferences and other events.
• Work with the Government Affairs Director to develop an annual budget and strategic plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required knowledge, skills + experience:

• At least five years’ experience with local and state advocacy, state and/or federal legislation or lobbying, and policy development and analysis.
• At least three years experience building and maintaining relationships with public officials and their staff and external stakeholders.
• At least two years’ experience managing staff, consultants, budgets, and projects.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing detailed strategic plans and campaigns
• Demonstrated experience establishing high-level partnerships, coordinating effectively with allied organizations, and building new relationships.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to be flexible.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Sense of humor and interest in working closely with people.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Salary + benefits

The salary range for this position begins at $75,000 with the exact salary depending on experience. Competitive benefits include employer funded health, dental, and vision insurance; health, transit, and parking flexible spending accounts; 401k plan with 4% employer match; 25 days of PTO annually; and paid holidays.

Applying + the interview process

To apply, click here.

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter (400 words maximum) that outlines three specific ways that you would be a good fit for this position. Our interview process for this position consists of a phone interview, a video interview, a skills assessment exercise, and reference checks.

Giffords is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. People of color, trans individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, women, people with differing abilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.