Regional State and Local Affairs Lead, Southern States

Anthropic•Washington, DC

6d•$230,000 - $265,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Anthropic is seeking a State and Local Affairs Lead to spearhead engagement with state and local governments across the Southern United States. This role is crucial for advancing AI policy, legislation, and regulation that aligns with Anthropic's mission of ensuring the safe transition through transformative AI. The successful candidate will work closely with the Southern Regional State and Local Lead, Policy leadership, Communications, and Legal teams, owning relationships and legislative/regulatory work across the South. This includes engagement with state legislatures, governors' offices, attorneys general, state agencies, and local governments. The position is based in Texas with regular travel across the region. Anthropic operates as a research lab, policy think-tank, and technology startup, emphasizing the safe development of AI systems and building partnerships with governments through substantive policy conversations. This role offers an opportunity to build a high-impact state affairs operation, execute strategic priorities, build government stakeholder relationships, and contribute to the broader state affairs function.

Requirements

Align with our mission and embrace the imperative of policy impact and change
Have experience in state and local government affairs, political strategy, or legislative roles, with demonstrated success contributing to legislative and regulatory outcomes
Are based in Texas, or are willing to relocate, and are prepared to travel regularly across the region
Have existing relationships with state and local leaders in Texas and other Southern states, including legislators, governors' offices, attorneys general, or county and municipal officials
Understand how state legislatures and executive branches work—committee processes, legislative and regulatory procedures, and how to move policy forward—and understand where local authority begins and ends
Have a track record of executing on strategic objectives and delivering measurable outcomes in government affairs roles
Have experience building partnerships with external organizations including chambers of commerce, economic development groups, labor organizations, and universities
Demonstrate understanding of how to build coalitions and identify aligned constituencies to advance shared objectives
Can manage multiple priorities and stakeholder relationships across different states and adapt to different political environments
Have the ability to work under time pressure and manage competing demands in high-stakes environments
Can translate complex technical topics into clear, accessible language for policymakers and residents alike
Have experience working with communications teams to develop effective messaging for policy campaigns
Are comfortable being honest about tradeoffs, including in rooms where people disagree with us

Nice To Haves

8+ years of experience in state and local government affairs, political strategy, or legislative roles
Exposure to technology policy or emerging technology regulation, and an understanding of the unique challenges of navigating policy for rapidly evolving technologies
Drawn to working with an organization that approaches AI policy with intensity and intellectual honesty

Responsibilities

Serve as Anthropic's lead for state and local government affairs across the Southern United States, working in close coordination with the other Regional State and Local Affairs Leads
Build and maintain relationships with state legislators, legislative staff, governors' offices, attorneys general, and state agency leaders across your region
Engage directly with local officials whose decisions affect Anthropic's work—mayors, city councils, county commissions, and economic development boards
Track state and local legislation and regulatory proceedings affecting AI and the technology sector, provide analysis and intelligence to inform company strategy, and represent Anthropic's positions
Build durable partnerships with local and regional organizations, including chambers of commerce, economic development groups, labor organizations, universities, and school districts
Represent Anthropic at legislative hearings, regional events, and public forums, including with audiences who are skeptical of AI
Work with the Communications team to develop clear, accurate messaging for regional policy campaigns
Translate Anthropic's technical research and policy positions into engagement strategies tailored to Southern state political environments
Manage the outside advisors and registered lobbyists who support Anthropic's work in your region
Coordinate with Anthropic's policy, communications, legal, and executive teams to ensure that regional activity aligns with company-wide positioning