Executive Director of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs

State of Indiana•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

The Executive Director of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs leads the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s engagement with legislative and regulatory bodies. The role protects state autonomy within a cooperative federalism framework and develops legislative strategy in support of the agency’s operations, programs, and long-term goals. It monitors and analyzes state and federal legislation and regulations, develops and communicates policy positions, prepares briefings and testimony, oversees agency responses to federal environmental laws and regulations, and conducts policy research and analysis. The position also integrates government affairs strategy into agency planning and builds relationships with elected officials, government agencies, legislative staff, and community stakeholders. It coordinates communications across internal and external partners, supervises constituent correspondence and casework, advises agency leadership on political risks and opportunities, and serves as a liaison for communication, decision-making, training opportunities, and escalation management. The role also reviews organizational effectiveness and strategic planning; develops plans, policies, goals, and expectations; provides guidance about applicable laws and rules; supervises subordinate personnel; monitors budgets; communicates with news media; coordinates with government officials; and reviews agency controls and standards. Other duties may be assigned. This is an exempt position, and additional work hours may be required without overtime compensation. A degree is not required, and essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge of agency or organizational programs and business practices.
Extensive knowledge of state programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation.
Ability to develop and measure program outcomes.
Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with public- and private-sector government and business leaders.
Ability to identify problems, assess the accuracy and relevance of information, use sound judgment, evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations.
Ability to work with internal and external customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and meet expectations.
Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships, establish credibility, and influence leaders at all levels.
Ability to make sound, well-informed, objective decisions and perceive their impact and implications.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

Monitor and analyze state and federal legislation and regulations for their impact on agency operations.
Develop and communicate policy positions to the General Assembly, federal and state agencies, local government officials, and other audiences.
Prepare briefings, testimony, comment letters, and memoranda for senior leadership, the Governor’s office, legislative bodies, government agencies, and local government agencies.
Prepare and oversee agency responses to federal laws and regulations related to environmental policy.
Conduct research and make recommendations on policy, rules, and regulations.
Integrate government affairs strategy into agency operations and long-term planning.
Develop and execute government relations strategies at state, regional, and local levels.
Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, regulatory bodies, and community stakeholders.
Coordinate internal and cross-functional efforts to communicate agency positions and priorities to external partners and leadership.
Supervise constituent correspondence and casework from legislative contacts and the public.
Advise the Commissioner, Chief of Staff, Chief of External Partner Services, and executive leadership on political risks, opportunities, and strategic engagement.
Serve as a liaison among IDEM, other state and federal agencies, internal leadership, and stakeholders for communication, decision-making, training opportunities, and escalation management.
Review organizational effectiveness, goal-setting, and strategic planning, and recommend improvements.
Develop and coordinate agency or program plans, policies, resources, mission, goals, vision, and expectations.
Provide agencies and the public with guidance on applicable laws and rules.
Supervise subordinate personnel, including hiring, assigning and delegating work, training, monitoring and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary action.
Monitor agency or program budgets, including revenues, expenditures, and projections.
Communicate with news media and respond appropriately to questions and requests.
Coordinate with other government officials on planning issues.
Coordinate, review, and evaluate appropriate agency controls and standards.

Benefits

Three medical plan options, including prescription coverage, plus vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program with gift card rewards for completing wellness activities
Health savings account with biweekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account with employer match
Two fully funded pension plan options
Paid New Parent Leave and paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Paid community service leave
Combined paid vacation, personal, and sick leave
Paid holidays
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program with covered behavioral health visits
Eligibility as a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Comprehensive leave policies