Position Summary:The Montana Government Relations Director serves as the principal staff for state government affairs and chief lobbyist in Montana, representing the Alzheimer's Association before Montana's legislature, governor, relevant state agencies, coalitions and community partners, and on statewide task forces and work groups. This position serves as a registered lobbyist with the state and is responsible for developing and executing a strategy to implement the Alzheimer's Association's coordinated nationwide state policy priorities including issues related to insurance coverage, Medicaid, long-term care, training standards, workforce issues, aging policy, and other related issues. The State Government Relations Director reports to the Territory Government Relations Director.
Responsibilities: - Plan and execute a multi-year state legislative and regulatory agenda with a focus on implementation of the Association's state policy priorities, in collaboration with the National Public Policy Office.
- Draft bills and regulatory language and secure bill sponsors.
- Testify regularly before state legislative committees and train volunteer advocates and other Association staff to provide testimony on behalf of the Association as needed.
- Develop and grow relationships with legislators, state government officials and community stakeholders, ensuring the Association is represented on relevant statewide task forces, workgroups, committees and coalitions.
- Track state legislation utilizing the Association's approved tracking system and monitor committee meetings and legislative action.
- Report lobbying activities as required and ensure compliance with the Association's approved lobbying compliance vendor and internal tracking system.
- Collaborate with the local Grassroots Advocacy Manager to plan and execute the Association's annual State Advocacy Day event at the state capitol.
- Identify opportunities for grassroots engagement on state issues and assist as needed in the execution of state-level advocacy activities, including coordinating office visits, correspondence, and other activities.
- Provide regular updates to the state Chapter Executive and other functional leaders; prepare reports and presentations for Chapter Board meetings and community events as requested.
- Collaborate with Association staff across the state chapter regularly to advance mission priorities and provide policy expertise.
- Participate in major events hosted by the state Chapter including Walk, galas, etc.
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree required.
- At least 5 years experience working in state government affairs setting; as a state legislative staff person; or as policy staff in the governor's office or relevant state agency, preferably in Montana.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: - Has current contacts within the state legislature and executive branch, and with potential partners and collaborators in Montana.
- Understands, and has experience with the legislative, regulatory, and budget process in Montana.
- Familiar with Medicaid, aging, health, drug coverage, and long-term care issues.
- Demonstrates the ability to anticipate, identify, organize, and analyze public policy opportunities.
- Possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Detail-oriented, adaptable, organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks.
- Proven self-starter with excellent judgment and careful attention to detail.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse populations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy and initiative.
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 60% within the assigned territory by car. Travel in this case is considered time spent away from the office, in the community, to fulfill the job goals. While most such travel is on the same day, occasionally overnight travel or air travel may be required. Must have valid driver's license, access to reliable vehicle, good driving record and proof of automobile insurance
- Ability and willingness to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
Title: Montana Government Relations Director
Position Location: Helena, MT
Full Time: Based on 37.5 hours per week
Position Grade & Compensation: Grade 109 The Alzheimer's Association's good faith expectation for the salary range for this role is between $85,000 - $95,000
Reports To: Territory State Government Relations Director
