Director of State Policy

fathom.org•DC, DC

10h•$190,000 - $220,000•Remote

About The Position

Fathom is hiring a Director of State Policy to lead its policy and advocacy efforts in a selection of priority states. This individual will be responsible for managing individual state campaigns from start to finish, with the autonomy to make decisions and the judgment to know when to consult the team. They will collaborate within a high-performing policy team, oversee contract lobbyists and consultants, and coordinate with Fathom’s communications and growth teams. The role requires adaptability and a proactive approach due to the fast-paced nature of AI innovation and policy development. The ideal candidate will be energized by a dynamic environment, have a history of navigating new areas, and seek a role with expanding responsibilities.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience (7+ years preferred) in state government affairs, legislative or executive branch staff work, state agency work, or state-focused policy and advocacy.
Direct experience leading state legislative campaigns – you have carried a bill through a legislature, not only tracked one, and the judgment to run several at once.
Fluency in AI and/or technology policy, or a track record of rapidly mastering complex technical subject matter.
Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders and build coalitions in support of legislative goals.
Excellent written and verbal communication, with direct experience drafting testimony, negotiating bill language, and crafting memos and talking points for legislative and stakeholder audiences.
Proven ability to build durable relationships with policymakers on both sides of the aisle.
Experience managing outside lobbyists, consultants, or agencies against clear deliverables.
Demonstrated ability and appetite for adapting quickly – taking on new issues, absorbing shifting priorities, and stretching into the work the organization needs next.
Politically savvy with an understanding of the interconnected nature of politics and policy.

Nice To Haves

7+ years of experience in state government affairs, legislative or executive branch staff work, state agency work, or state-focused policy and advocacy.

Responsibilities

Serve as Fathom’s lead in a defined portfolio of priority states: owning strategy, execution, and outcomes.
Identify and develop legislative champions and executive branch allies, and maintain durable relationships with legislators, staff, and agency officials across your states.
Represent Fathom in committee hearings, agency proceedings, and policymaker briefings.
Develop state-specific policy positions, model legislation, and testimony that reflect Fathom’s mission and technical expertise while adapting to the political realities of each state.
Translate complex AI governance concepts into clear, actionable guidance for legislators and staff.
Track and analyze state legislative and regulatory activity relevant to Fathom’s agenda, and recommend where we engage proactively, where we respond, and where we hold back.
Support the implementation of enacted legislation, including rulemaking, program design, and follow-through with agencies.
Engage credibly and productively with policymakers across the political spectrum.
Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with industry and trade groups, civil society organizations, labor groups, and public-sector partners, and build them into coalitions that visibly support Fathom’s policy priorities through hearings, sign-on letters, endorsements, and joint events.
Manage contract lobbyists and consultants in your states, setting clear objectives and holding them to deliverables.
Work as part of a high-trust state policy team, sharing intelligence and covering ground for one another as priorities shift.
Contribute to resource and budget planning for the states in your portfolio.
Partner with communications on press engagement, messaging, and packaging Fathom’s state work for broader audiences.
Coordinate with Fathom’s federal policy and broader coalition efforts.
Maintain disciplined tracking of bills, relationships, and commitments using CRM and project-management tools.