Director of Legislative Affairs

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Legislative Affairs is a senior caucus staff position responsible for legislative operations, committee management, staff development, stakeholder coordination, and strategic support for the House Majority Caucus. The Director supports the Chief of Staff, Speaker, leadership team, members, legislative staff, fellows, and policy staff to ensure legislative work, constituent services, committee coverage, and internal operations are coordinated, professional, and responsive. The role requires strong judgment, discretion, staff-management experience, knowledge of state government, and the ability to manage complex assignments in a fast-paced legislative environment. The Director is expected to anticipate issues, resolve problems early, and strengthen caucus systems, staff culture, and external relationships.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field; Equivalent legislative or administrative experience may be substituted.
Three to five years of progressively responsible administrative, governmental, or legislative experience.
Experience working in a legislative, governmental, or public sector environment is preferred.
Knowledge of parliamentary procedure is highly desirable.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of parliamentary procedure is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Supervise, support, and mentor legislative aides, senior legislative aides, and assigned legislative fellows in coordination with the Chief of Staff, Policy Director, and other senior staff.
Conduct standing meetings, organic check-ins, and performance reviews with staff and elected members to assess staff needs, identify concerns, and support professional growth.
Help recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, and support legislative staff and fellows, including participation in dispute processes and succession planning when needed.
Promote recruitment and retention by strengthening staff culture, supporting future planning for staff, and maintaining positive relationships with staff who move into other roles in state government or related fields.
Develop or update guidance documents, onboarding materials, training resources, and internal processes to fill learning gaps, especially for newer staff.
Coordinate the annual staff survey process with the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, including developing questions, encouraging candid feedback, reviewing results, identifying trends, and recommending improvements to caucus operations, communication, training, morale, and staff support.
Oversee the annual staff performance evaluation process in partnership with the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, including collecting member feedback, reviewing staff input where appropriate, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and assisting with follow-up meetings, coaching conversations, or performance plans.
Lead coordination of the committee schedule, committee planning, room assignments, agenda requests, meeting preparation, and related logistics in partnership with the Policy Director, policy analysts, legislative aides, and other staff.
Ensure committee-related information is shared with the appropriate members and staff in a timely, organized, and useful manner.
Synthesize notable committee actions, testimony, member comments, stakeholder concerns, amendments, and emerging issues for the Chief of Staff and leadership.
Coordinate with policy staff on committee work assigned to legislative fellows and ensure fellows receive appropriate guidance and oversight.
Continue to improve and refine House committee operations process through each successive session of the General Assembly.
Maintain open communication with legislators to assess whether staff assignments, constituent work, committee coverage, and district support are meeting member needs.
Assist in resolving member concerns involving legislative aides, senior legislative aides, fellows, agency responsiveness, constituent matters, or committee support.
Work with individual constituents, constituent groups, community organizations, and public agencies to gather information, resolve conflicts, present issues, or disseminate information when appropriate.
Identify recurring district or constituent issues and elevate patterns to members, senior staff, policy staff, or leadership.
Serve as a backstop for situations where staff are unable to meet the needs of their members and their constituents.
Provide accurate and timely research, recommendations, and background information on legislative issues and proposals.
Engage stakeholders, legislators, agencies, and outside partners on policy initiatives and caucus priorities.
Work with the Communications Director and communications staff to support messaging plans for legislation, caucus initiatives, and special projects.
Provide research and consultation to leadership and members on administrative, operational, procedural, or policy issues affecting the caucus.
Develop tactics and strategies that respond to changing priorities, member needs, legislative dynamics, and emerging challenges.
Develop and manage training opportunities for legislative aides, senior legislative aides, fellows, and senior staff with outside partners such as NCSL, CSG, state agencies, the Governor's Office, the judicial branch, community organizations, nonprofits, and other relevant partners.
Serve as a general liaison between the caucus and executive branch agencies when helpful, particularly when members or staff need assistance obtaining information or resolving agency-related issues.
Strengthen connectivity between caucus staff and other branches of government to improve responsiveness, professional development, and institutional knowledge.
Represent the caucus on assigned committees, task forces, project teams, or external meetings as directed.
Represent members at community gatherings, stakeholder meetings, and public events when needed.
Maintain awareness of statewide issues, agency developments, caucus priorities, House Rules, legislative procedures, and political dynamics affecting members and staff.
Support caucus operations, staff planning, and legislative strategy during session and interim periods.
Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Chief of Staff, Speaker, or leadership.