Regional Director of State Government Affairs

Americans for Responsible Innovation•Washington, DC

3d•$165,000 - $225,000

About The Position

Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization advocating for AI policy in the public interest, is hiring four Regional Directors of State Government Affairs covering the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. Each Regional Director will proactively shape AI-related legislative and regulatory activity across a multistate region, working with ARI’s team to engage lawmakers, build relationships, grow the organization’s presence, advance its policy goals, and defend against harmful AI legislation. Regional Directors will represent ARI to national bodies such as NCSL, CSG, and NGA, as well as to the media when needed. These full-time positions are based within the region covered and report to the Vice President of State Government Affairs. The roles require extensive regional lobbying experience, including work on contentious issues and management of contract lobbyists. Frequent travel is expected, particularly during legislative sessions, as well as regular travel to ARI’s DC office.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in government affairs, advocacy, or government, including at least 2 years leading multistate advocacy work.
A demonstrated record of effectively managing a US region as a state lobbyist at an advocacy organization, trade association, corporation, or comparable setting.
Direct experience retaining and managing contract lobbyists across multiple states.
Substantive knowledge of state legislative processes, including session calendars, procedural deadlines, and differences between professionalized and citizen legislatures.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with legislators of both parties.
Passion for responsible governance of AI and emerging technology, and alignment with ARI’s mission and values.
A reputation for trustworthiness and integrity.
Willingness to travel frequently, particularly during legislative sessions from January through May.
Attention to detail and ability to solve complex problems, work under strict deadlines, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Political and situational awareness in a fast-changing environment, with speed and accuracy.
Ability to learn issues quickly and become a subject-matter expert.

Nice To Haves

Experience with technology, privacy, consumer protection, or telecommunications policy at the state level.
Service as a state legislator, legislative staff director, governor’s legislative director, or in a comparable state role.
Familiarity with AI policy and the current state and federal legislative landscape.
Experience building bipartisan or cross-ideological coalitions at the state level.
Experience with state ballot measure campaigns.

Responsibilities

Execute government affairs strategies and advance ARI’s policy priorities across a multistate region.
Lead rapid-response advocacy when harmful bills are moving, including direct lobbying in state capitals.
Support pro-guardrails legislation in ARI’s issue areas, including frontier AI governance, children’s safety, creator protections, and data centers and energy.
Recruit and support state legislators willing to engage federal policymakers in opposition to sweeping preemption of state AI laws.
Hold and manage a contract lobbying budget, including retaining, directing, and evaluating contract lobbyists in key states.
Build relationships with state lawmakers and facilitate conversations with key legislators across the region.
Represent ARI to NCSL, CSG, NGA, and state legislative leadership.
Build relationships with state attorneys general offices, governors’ policy and legislative staff, and state agency officials.
Serve as ARI’s principal working link to allied organizations at the state level and coordinate work to complement rather than duplicate theirs.
Build and strengthen partnerships with state-level consumer, parent, labor, creator, and faith organizations.
Represent ARI to the media as required.
Monitor legislative developments and collaborate with internal teams on advocacy efforts.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 85% of premiums covered for employees, partners, and dependents.
Discretionary paid time off and approximately 20 office holidays, including all federal holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
401(k) retirement plan with a 6% employer match.
Professional development stipend of up to $2,500 annually.
Dependent Care FSA, Medical FSA, Transit FSA, and Parking FSA.
Basic life, Basic AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage paid 100% by the employer, with optional employee-paid supplemental coverage.
Wellness benefit of a $150/month taxable stipend.
Internet and utilities reimbursement of a $150/month taxable stipend for remote-work expenses.
Up to $500 for home-office setup expenses for new full-time employees.
$3,000 referral bonus for successful referrals, subject to the stated eligibility and employment conditions.