Associate Director, State Government Affairs

Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree and 7+ years in government relations, securities law, or regulation
  • Advanced degree preferred
  • Strong knowledge of securities regulation
  • Familiarity with state legislative processes preferred
  • Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to build relationships at all organizational levels

Responsibilities

  • Identify and track state legislation affecting FINRA and the securities industry
  • Maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders
  • Analyze state initiatives and communicate insights to leadership
  • Serve as a liaison for state regulators and legislative staff
  • Prepare comment letters and testimony on legislation
  • Manage external lobbying consultants
  • Advise on state relationship strategies and coordinate with internal stakeholders

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Generous time-off program including 15 paid days off and 9 sick days
  • Tuition reimbursement and commuter benefits
  • Volunteering opportunities with paid leave
  • Employee wellness programs and assistance benefits
  • Immediate participation in retirement savings plans with employer contributions
Full Job Description
The Associate Director, State Government Affairs serves as a liaison on state regulatory and legislative matters. This role monitors and analyzes state legislative and regulatory initiatives affecting FINRA and the securities industry, delivering actionable intelligence to senior leadership. The position manages critical stakeholder relationships by serving as a point of contact for state regulators and legislative staff on negotiations involving complex inter-organizational issues, and represents FINRA at meetings, conferences and events. Key responsibilities include independently preparing comment letters and testimony on state proposals, managing external lobbying consultants, coordinating with internal stakeholders to assess regulatory impacts on FINRA programs, and advising executives on enterprise-wide state relationship strategies. This position is an individual contributor who works independently with minimal oversight and collaborates effectively with stakeholders.

Essential Job Functions:
  • Identifies and monitors state legislation, regulations and issues that could impact FINRA programs and oversight of the securities industry and capital markets.
  • Maintain coalition of partners and stakeholders.
  • Monitors, analyzes and tracks individual state initiatives that effect FINRA or regulated broker-dealers and capital markets and communicates key information to senior leadership across the organization.
  • Serves as a point of contact for state regulators, legislative staff and associations to facilitate communication between FINRA and state officials and staff, and leads or participates in negotiations to resolve issues among the organizations.
  • Independently prepares comment letters and testimony on state legislative proposals.
  • Recommends and oversees external state lobbying consultants.
  • Responds to requests for information from state regulatory officials and staff, state legislative staff and contract lobbyists.
  • Coordinates with internal stakeholders and advises FINRA Executives on enterprise-wide and program relationships with the states.
  • Represent FINRA at meetings, events and conferences featuring state officials.
  • Provides accurate, timely information and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Demonstrates FINRA's values.
  • Collaborates, both in-person and virtually, in furtherance of FINRA's mission of investor protection and market integrity.


Education/Experience Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree and a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in government relations, securities law and/or securities regulation field required; or an equivalent combination of education and directly related professional experience.
  • Advanced degree preferred.
  • Strong working knowledge of securities regulation.
  • Strong working knowledge of state legislative and government processes is preferred.
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with demonstrated ability to apply sound judgment when assessing complex regulatory matters.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate technical concepts clearly to both specialized and non-technical audiences.
  • Superior attention to detail and accuracy in reviewing documentation, preparing reports, and maintaining records.
  • Effective interpersonal skills with ability to build collaborative relationships across all organizational levels.
  • Ability to operate in a highly complex operational, technical, policy and legal environment.


Work Conditions
  • Hybrid work environment, with defined in-person presence requirements.
  • Extended hours required.
  • Travel required (15%).


For work that is performed in CO, FL, TX, IL, PA, MA, MD, VA, Washington, DC, NY and NJ, please refer to the chart below for the salary range for the corresponding location. FINRA complies with all state and local pay transparency laws and regulations requiring the disclosure of salary ranges for the position. In addition to location, actual compensation is based on various factors, including but not limited to, the candidate's skill set, level of experience, education, and market considerations.

CO/FL/TX: Minimum Salary $114,200, Maximum Salary $207,200

IL/PA: Minimum Salary $125,900, Maximum Salary $228,000

MA/MD/VA/Washington, DC: Minimum Salary $131,200, Maximum Salary $238,300

NY/NJ: Minimum Salary $131,200, Maximum Salary $248,700

#LI-Hybrid

To be considered for this position, please submit an application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required.

Please note: If the "Apply Now" button on a job board posting does not take you directly to the FINRA Careers site, enter www.finra.org/careers into your browser to reach our site directly.

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Non-exempt employees are also eligible for overtime pay in accordance with federal, state, or local law. As part of its dedication to employee wellness, FINRA provides comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance. Additional insurance includes basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, disability and legal. FINRA offers immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match and eligibility for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, and other benefits that support employee wellness, such as adoption assistance, backup family care, surrogacy benefits, employee assistance, and wellness programs.

Time Off and Paid Leave*

FINRA encourages its employees to focus on their health and wellness in many ways, including through a generous time-off program of 15 days of paid time off, 5 personal days and 9 sick days, unless otherwise required by law (all pro-rated in the first year). Additionally, we are proud to support our communities by providing two volunteer service days (based on full-time schedule). Other paid leave includes military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, voting and election official leave for federal, state or local primary and general elections, care of a family member leave (available after 90 days of employment); and childbirth and parental leave (available after 90 days of employment). Full-time employees receive nine paid holidays.

*Based on full-time schedule

About Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Careers

Joining the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) presents a unique opportunity to become part of a dedicated team of professionals committed to fostering fair and honest financial markets. As the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States, FINRA is at the forefront of the financial industry, offering unparalleled job opportunities in a dynamic environment.

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At FINRA, professionals work to protect investors and ensure the market's integrity through effective and efficient regulation of broker-dealers. Team members are engaged in a wide range of critical functions from market regulation to enforcement, and from legal compliance to dispute resolution. This variety ensures that employment at FINRA is not just a job, but a pathway to meaningful professional growth and career advancement.

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FINRA’s team is composed of highly skilled professionals who lead through innovation and steadfast leadership in the financial sector. With a commitment to diversity and inclusive culture, FINRA fosters an environment where every team member’s contribution is valued. Joining this team means collaborating on projects that enhance the security and integrity of the financial marketplace.

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Professionals at FINRA are encouraged to take initiative and innovate within their roles. The authority offers a robust career development program that supports professional growth through training, workshops, and continued learning opportunities. This focus on professional development ensures that every employee has the tools and knowledge to advance their career.

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For those starting their career, FINRA offers a range of internship and entry-level positions that provide a solid foundation in financial regulation. Interns and new employees work alongside industry experts and gain invaluable hands-on experience. These positions are crucial stepping stones for building a career filled with leadership opportunities and professional advancement.

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FINRA is committed to supporting its employees’ well-being both inside and outside of the workplace. The company offers a competitive package of benefits that promote a healthy work-life balance. Employees enjoy comprehensive health benefits, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. Moreover, FINRA’s culture of ethics and leadership is reflected in its daily operations, making it a prime environment for personal and professional growth.

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The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is continuously seeking passionate, curious, and skilled individuals to join its team. Explore open positions that match your skills and interests in the financial regulatory field. FINRA is hiring individuals who are driven to excel and ready to contribute to a team that values integrity, competence, and dedication.

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