Director - Government Affairs

AvalonBay Communities • Arlington, TX

25d • Onsite

About The Position

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., an equity REIT, has a long-term track record of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing distinctive apartment homes in some of the best U.S. markets, and delivering outsized, risk-adjusted returns to shareholders. With equal parts experience and vision, we’ve established a leadership position rooted in our purpose of creating a better way to live and that is always focused on building value for the long term. Creating a better way to live is the purpose that binds AvalonBay associates. We take that purpose seriously and expect you will as well. By focusing on collaboration, innovation, and taking ownership of our choices and actions, we act in ways that focus on creating value for our customers, investors and associates. Your positive, professional, and consistent personal interactions make AvalonBay a great place to work. The Role We’re seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial leader to build and lead AvalonBay’s government affairs function from the ground up. This newly created role will shape how we identify, assess, and respond to legislative and regulatory developments that affect our multifamily portfolio—spanning operations, development, and investment nationwide. As Director of Government Affairs, you’ll architect the infrastructure, systems, and strategy that enable a coordinated and proactive approach to public policy. You’ll synthesize insights across our decentralized structure, advise senior leadership on high-impact issues, and design scalable frameworks for monitoring, engagement, and compliance. This is a high-visibility role that blends strategic advisory, organizational design, and cross-functional leadership. It’s not a lobbying position, but rather a chance to build the foundation and discipline that guide how our company engages with the policy landscape.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Urban Planning, or a related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in government relations, public affairs, or policy analysis—ideally within real estate, housing, or other regulated industries
• Proven success building or scaling government affairs programs and strategies
• Deep understanding of local and state legislative processes and regulatory dynamics
• Strong executive communication and analytical skills with the ability to translate policy into business impact
• Comfort leading in ambiguity, influencing without authority, and driving alignment across a decentralized organization
• Ability to be on-site regularly in Arlington and travel up to 10%

Nice To Haves

• Experience in multifamily housing or real estate policy
• Background building organizational capabilities in new or evolving functional areas
• A strategic, solutions-oriented mindset and ability to earn credibility quickly with senior stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Build the function: Design the structure, processes, and engagement model for a centralized government affairs capability
• Shape the strategy: Develop our companywide policy agenda, risk framework, and performance metrics
• Monitor and analyze: Leverage technology-enabled systems to track and assess legislative and regulatory activity across markets
• Advise leadership: Provide clear, actionable guidance on emerging policy issues, their business implications, and recommended responses
• Enable collaboration: Coordinate input across Executives, Regional leaders, Legal, Communications, and other teams to drive aligned positions and actions
• Institutionalize knowledge: Create playbooks, policy briefs, and training to strengthen government affairs literacy and readiness across the organization
• Foster engagement: Serve as the primary liaison between regional teams and corporate leadership, while at times representing AvalonBay in associations and policy forums
• Ensure compliance: Manage governance and reporting for political contributions and government affairs activity

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits — health, dental and vision, 401(k) with company match, paid vacation and holidays, tuition reimbursement, an employee stock purchase plan and more.
• Growth based on achievement and promotion from within.
• Associate recognition (a company-wide recognition program that celebrates associate efforts and successes in contributing to the overall success of the organization – including destination awards, ‘AvalonBay’s Very Best’ recognition program and others!).
• A 20% discount on our incredible apartment homes.
• A culture built on purpose and our core values - A Commitment to Integrity, A Spirit of Caring, and A Focus on Continuous Improvement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees