Director of Government Relations (NCS) - Mayor's Office

Baltimore City•Cocoa, FL

10d•$137,909 - $227,648•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Government Relations serves as a member of the Mayor's Cabinet and Executive Team and is the mayor's chief advisor on legislative and intergovernmental affairs. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director develops and executes the Administration's policy strategy, advances the Mayor's legislative priorities before the Baltimore City Council, the Maryland General Assembly, Congress, and other governmental bodies, and cultivates strong relationships with elected officials and key stakeholders. The Director leads the Office of Government Relations and works collaboratively with the Mayor, Chief of Staff, Chief Administrative Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Mayors, Senior Advisors, Cabinet agencies, and external partners to develop and implement a proactive legislative and policy agenda that advances the Mayor's vision for Baltimore. The successful candidate is an accomplished strategist, skilled negotiator, exceptional relationship builder, and trusted advisor with strong political judgment, deep knowledge of the legislative process, and a commitment to public service.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Eight (8) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, public administration, law, political strategy, or a related field.
Demonstrated success developing, negotiating, and advancing complex legislative initiatives.
Experience advising senior executives or elected officials.
Experience leading teams and managing complex cross-functional initiatives.
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Outstanding political judgment, diplomacy, negotiation, and consensus-building abilities.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctor, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Policy, or another relevant graduate degree.
Experience working in a mayor's office, governor's office, executive agency, legislative leadership office, Congress, or the Maryland General Assembly.
Extensive knowledge of Baltimore City government, Maryland legislative processes, municipal finance, and state-local relations.
Experience on political campaigns.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the Mayor's Cabinet and Executive Team.
Advise the Mayor, Chief of Staff, and Executive Team on legislative strategy, political dynamics, intergovernmental affairs, and emerging public policy issues.
Develop recommendations regarding legislative and policy priorities, negotiations, executive action, and governmental partnerships.
Represent the Mayor's Office before elected officials, governmental agencies, external organizations, and public bodies as assigned.
Provide strategic counsel regarding legislative, regulatory, budgetary, and political developments affecting Baltimore City.
Serve as the Administration's principal strategist for public policy, legislative affairs, and intergovernmental relations.
Develop and execute the mayor's annual legislative agenda.
Lead legislative strategy before the Baltimore City Council, Maryland General Assembly, Congress, and other governmental entities.
Coordinate the drafting, review, and advancement of legislation, amendments, executive testimony, resolutions, and policy proposals.
Develop legislative strategies that advance Administration priorities while protecting the City's operational and fiscal interests.
Monitor legislation, budgets, and regulatory actions affecting Baltimore City and recommend appropriate executive action.
Coordinate legislative priorities across Cabinet agencies to ensure a unified Administration position.
Lead the Administration's relationships with the Baltimore City Council, the Governor's Office, the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland's Congressional Delegation, neighboring jurisdictions, federal agencies, and regional governmental organizations.
Coordinate executive-level engagement with elected officials and governmental partners.
Build relationships that strengthen Baltimore City's ability to accomplish its legislative priorities.
Represent the Mayor during legislative negotiations, hearings, committee meetings, budget discussions, and other governmental proceedings.
Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships with governmental entities that advance the mayor's agenda.
Build coalitions that support the mayor's legislative and policy priorities.
Coordinate stakeholder outreach related to major legislative initiatives, budget priorities, and executive proposals.
Prepare stakeholder engagement strategies, briefing materials, and outreach plans for executive leadership.
Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships, resolve concerns, and build consensus among diverse constituencies.
Coordinate cross-functional follow-up to ensure commitments made by the Mayor's Office are communicated and implemented.
Partner with Cabinet agencies to develop legislative proposals that support the mayor's policy agenda.
Analyze proposed legislation and regulatory actions for policy, operational, legal, and fiscal impacts.
Coordinate cross-agency review of legislative proposals.
Develop policy recommendations, executive briefings, and implementation strategies.
Ensure legislative priorities align with the mayor's strategic goals and operational objectives.
Prepare legislative briefings, testimony, memoranda, presentations, correspondence, and talking points for the mayor and senior leadership.
Ensure the Mayor and Executive Team remain informed of legislative developments, political considerations, and emerging issues.
Coordinate closely with the Mayor's Communications Office to align legislative strategy with public messaging and external communications.
Lead and supervise the Mayor's Office of Government Relations.
Establish strategic priorities, performance expectations, and operational goals for the department.
Foster a collaborative, innovative, high-performing, and service-oriented culture.
Mentor staff and promote professional development, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Manage departmental resources responsibly and ensure efficient execution of the Office's responsibilities.
Advise the Mayor and Executive Team regarding legislative and governmental considerations during emergencies and major incidents.
Coordinate with governmental partners during emergency response and recovery efforts.
Be available outside normal business hours during legislative sessions, emergencies, or other time-sensitive matters requiring executive leadership.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Mayor or Chief of Staff.