Legislative Director

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) seeks a Legislative Director to help shape and advance policies that protect consumers, serve the public interest, and strengthen Washington’s economy. This role is within the Policy and Legislative Affairs Division and serves as a principal policy advisor to the Insurance Commissioner and executive leadership on legislative proposals and policy priorities affecting Washington’s insurance system. The Legislative Director leads the development and execution of the Commissioner’s legislative agenda and serves as a trusted liaison to legislators, legislative staff, the Governor’s Office, state agencies, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and other stakeholders. The position involves bringing together complex policy, legal, and legislative information to develop thoughtful recommendations and strategic approaches, shaping legislative proposals, coordinating agency testimony, tracking bills, and advising executive leadership on emerging policy issues. Success requires exceptional judgment, communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and strategic thinking, with the ability to navigate a fast-paced environment, build trust, manage competing priorities, and communicate complex issues clearly while maintaining professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality. This is a Civil Service Exempt position.

Requirements

• Nine (9) years of full-time professional work experience including: Knowledge and understanding of state legislative processes, including strategic evaluation of policy direction.
• Or Serving as principal advisor to executive staff on policy and potential legislative activity experience.
• And/Or Coordinating testimony of an agency or business at legislative hearings.
• At least three (3) years of experience must include: Analyzing or preparing reports, issue papers, guidance, and other materials related to appropriation hearings, committee mark-ups, conference committee actions, legislative issues, and laws that may impact organizational programs.
• Or Developing written legislative language and related material for legislative strategies, hearings, testimonies, program documentation, and briefing packages.
• In addition to above experience: Three (3) years demonstrated experience supervising subordinates including planning/assigning/directing work, coaching and performance management.
• A degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science or related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation, or a foreign equivalent may be substituted for relevant experience.
• Proof of degree may be required prior to employment.
• If a degree was awarded outside of the United States, candidates must provide a credential evaluation report.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with federal agencies, Washington Congressional delegation and staff, and Tribal affairs.
• Knowledge of the Washington insurance environment and Washington insurance laws, rules, or the insurance laws and rules of another state.
• Lobbying experience working for public or non-profit clients.
• Master's degree in public policy or administration, political science, business administration, or related field.
• Juris doctorate degree.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a principal legislative advisor to the Insurance Commissioner and executive leadership on legislative proposals, policy priorities, and strategic legislative matters affecting the agency and Washington’s insurance environment.
• Lead the development and execution of the Commissioner’s legislative agenda, working closely with executive leadership and the Policy and Legislative Affairs Division to identify priorities and advance strategic objectives.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with legislators, legislative staff, the Governor’s Office, state agencies, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and other key interested parties.
• Develop and coordinate legislative proposals, including drafting or guiding legislative language, briefing materials, and supporting documentation, and cultivating legislative sponsorship.
• Coordinate the agency’s legislative strategy and response, including tracking legislation, guiding bill analyses, developing agency positions, and advising leadership on emerging legislative issues.
• Coordinate legislative testimony and hearing preparation, including developing testimony, briefing executive leadership and subject matter experts, and testifying on behalf of the agency when appropriate.
• Analyze complex policy, legislative, and regulatory issues and provide clear, timely recommendations to the Commissioner, executive leadership, and agency programs.
• Guide legislative proposals and budget decision packages through the legislative process, tracking progress and providing regular updates and strategic advice to executive leadership.
• Serve as the Commissioner’s direct legislative liaison, responding to high-priority information requests and constituent concerns from legislators, legislative staff, and the Governor’s Office.
• Communicate legislative developments and policy priorities across the agency, providing timely status reports and guidance before, during, and after the legislative session.
• Represent the agency at interested parties’ meetings, communicating agency positions and fostering constructive relationships with internal and external partners.
• Advise agency divisions and programs on legislative and policy matters, providing written, verbal, and electronic guidance to support consistent implementation of agency priorities.
• Supervise and develop the Legislative Coordinator, providing direction, coaching, performance management, and support for professional growth.
• Participate in national regulatory policy discussions, including active involvement with the NAIC Legislative Liaison Committee.
• Collaborate across the agency and with external partners to advance policies that support the OIC’s mission to protect consumers, the public interest, and Washington’s economy.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave (vacation, sick, etc.) and much more!
• Supportive work environment: We value diversity, professional growth, and collaborative atmosphere.
• Wellness programs: Invest in your well-being with on-site resources and initiatives.
• Work-life balance: Flexible schedules with telework opportunities.
• Public service fulfillment: Contribute to a cause that matters and feel the satisfaction of serving the public good.
• Training & Development: Continuously learn and grow with tuition reimbursement, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and other programs.
• Free parking (Tumwater) & Public transportation pass (Thurston County): Save on commuting costs.
• And more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior