Sr Specialist, Government Affairs

Pilot Company•Knoxville, TN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Specialist, Government Affairs supports Pilot Travel Centers by advancing the company’s advocacy priorities and providing strategic legislative, regulatory, and political intelligence across federal, state, and local jurisdictions. The role focuses particularly on transportation fuels, renewable fuels, energy, environmental, tax, and transportation policy issues affecting Pilot’s retail, wholesale, logistics, and energy businesses. Working closely with Government Affairs leadership, the specialist monitors and analyzes developments, supports advocacy initiatives, prepares executive-ready materials, and coordinates engagement across the organization. The position requires strong policy analysis and communication skills, along with a demonstrated understanding of federal and state legislative and regulatory processes. The specialist develops and executes advocacy plans, builds relationships with external stakeholders, coordinates with consultants and partners, and provides policy support across internal teams. The role also includes mentoring colleagues with less experience, conducting research and stakeholder analysis, supporting strategic planning and special projects, and completing additional duties as needed. The position is based in Washington, D.C., with approximately 10–25% business travel depending on advocacy priorities, industry conferences, and government engagement opportunities. Attendance at meetings, events, and legislative activities outside traditional business hours may be necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, or a related field.
At least 5 years of related experience working in legislative affairs for a state or federal legislature, corporate government affairs, or a similar setting.
Experience in government affairs for a large U.S. corporate enterprise, a trade association, or a relevant federal agency.
Thorough understanding of federal and state government structures, legislative processes, and regulatory frameworks.
Excellent analytical, research, writing, presentation, and communication skills.
Ability to synthesize complex information into concise, actionable insights for executive audiences.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and collaboration platforms such as Teams, WebEx, and Zoom.
Self-starter with intellectual curiosity, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Ability to travel approximately 10–25%, depending on advocacy priorities, industry conferences, and government engagement opportunities.
Ability to attend meetings, events, and legislative activities outside traditional business hours as necessary.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a policy staff role for an elected Member of Congress as a legislative assistant or legislative director.
Knowledge of energy policy, transportation policy, renewable fuels, environmental regulation, and fuel markets.
Experience or demonstrated subject matter expertise in transportation fuels, energy policy, renewable fuels, environmental regulation, transportation policy, tax policy, or related legislative and regulatory issues.

Responsibilities

Monitor and manage federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory activity affecting transportation fuels, renewable fuels, energy, environmental, tax, and transportation issues relevant to Pilot Travel Centers.
Evaluate proposed legislation, regulations, and agency actions, and translate findings into clear, actionable guidance for Government Affairs leadership and cross-functional business partners.
Create and maintain policy tracking systems, including issue trackers, calendars, stakeholder maps, and monitoring tools.
Develop and execute multi-jurisdiction advocacy plans that advance the company’s policy priorities.
Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, regulators, trade associations, and industry coalitions, and represent Pilot in meetings and working groups as directed.
Coordinate with external lobbyists, consultants, and association partners to gather intelligence and support advocacy initiatives.
Draft briefing memos, issue summaries, talking points, comment letters, presentations, and other materials for senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
Provide mentorship, context, and direction on policy issues to colleagues with less experience.
Develop an understanding of Pilot’s business, anticipate policy issues, and work with internal experts and executive leadership to devise policy strategies.
Partner with Legal, Operations, Fuel Supply, Retail, Tax, Finance, Sustainability, Communications, and other teams to assess policy impacts and support implementation.
Conduct research, issue assessments, and stakeholder analysis to inform long-term policy strategy.
Assist Government Affairs leadership with special initiatives and executive requests.
Complete additional duties as needed.