The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is seeking a State Government Affairs Director to oversee our government affairs work in Florida. In this role, you’ll serve as FGA’s chief representative to state policymakers, coordinating legislative engagement, cultivating relationships, and driving forward FGA’s reform agenda in one of the nation’s most influential states.
This is a role for a seasoned professional who combines savvy political judgment with executional excellence. The ideal candidate can see both the big picture and the small details, aligning FGA’s priorities with Florida’s policy opportunities to deliver tangible results that strengthen the state’s position as a leader in conservative policy.
You’ll be at the center of Florida’s most important policy debates, building coalitions, anticipating challenges, and ensuring FGA’s ideas translate into meaningful legislative wins.
CULTURE AND FIT
The people who consistently succeed at FGA are those whose actions and behavior reflect our five Core Values. If you adhere to these values and answer “yes” to each of these questions, you may be a fit.
1. Candid to Solve: Being willing to have tough conversations in order to solve issues and build trust
- Do you seek out constructive feedback—and provide it to others—to solve issues and build trust with coworkers?
2. Grow or Die: We don’t have a neutral gear; we must consistently challenge ourselves and each other to grow in our talents and skills.
- Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and do you seek out complementary skills and growth in order to mitigate your weaknesses?
3. Politically Savvy: Policy doesn’t change in a vacuum, but in a political reality that we must understand and account for.
- Do you agree that embracing the realities of politics is necessary to change public policy?
4. Partnership-Oriented: Internal and external relationships are not transactional. That starts with our team members and the perspective that we need the rest of the team to succeed in order to win personally.
- Are you comfortable creating your own structure for work, such as setting work hours, your own priorities, and creating clarity and a workplan from a broad goal?
5. Bought in to Win: We’re at FGA because we want to change policy. No one is counting hours or widgets, we are here to get results, and sometimes that will require going the extra mile or doing a job that isn’t technically ours.
- Do you fully support FGA’s mission and believe that lives are improved through work, not welfare, and that free markets create more freedom and opportunity than government control?
The vast majority of those who don’t get hired (or don’t last) at FGA are due to a lack of fit with these values. Be prepared to have very candid conversations about them in our interview process.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead FGA’s Government Affairs Strategy in Florida
- Create and execute a comprehensive strategy to advance FGA’s policy reforms in Florida.
- Evaluate the political environment and develop strategies to shepherd initiatives through the legislative process.
Cultivate and Maintain Relationships with Key Stakeholders
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with Florida policymakers, executive branch officials, and agency staff.
- Serve as a resource to allied third-party organizations and emerging leaders to strengthen long-term relationships and FGA’s credibility in Florida.
Manage and Oversee In-State Contractors
- Provide direction, feedback, and alignment for in-state contractors supporting FGA’s government affairs efforts.
- Evaluate performance and identify opportunities for additional contract assistance when needed to maximize results.
Serve as FGA’s Internal Point Person for Florida
- Collaborate with the Federal Affairs, Policy and Research, Development, and Communications teams to ensure full alignment and communication across projects.
- Provide timely updates and detailed tracking and reporting on legislative activity, meetings, and opportunities to position FGA for success in Florida and beyond.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must reside in Florida and be willing to attend frequent in-person meetings with staff and policymakers.
- Minimum of five years’ experience in state government affairs, policy advocacy, or related political roles.
- Deep understanding of Florida’s legislative and executive processes and political dynamics.
- Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.
- Comfortable using technology to manage projects and communications.
- Alignment with FGA’s Core Values (described above).
TIMING, LOCATION, AND COMPENSATION
FGA is seeking to fill this position as soon as possible. While this role is remote and based out of Florida, it requires regular in-person engagement at the Capitol in Tallahassee and travel throughout the state to build relationships and advance FGA’s agenda.
FGA has built a highly successful remote work culture over the past decade with systems and structures designed for clarity, flexibility, and great communication.
Key elements of the environment include:
- Quarterly in-person team meetings at which you’ll build deeper relationships, set clear goals aligned with FGA’s big vision, and brainstorm how to seize new opportunities.
- An intensive 90-day orientation to familiarize you with the FGA team, our policies, and how we operate.
- Home office setup, including equipment and communication tools you need to hit the ground running.
FGA offers a competitive salary of between $110,000 to $150,000 for this position, depending on experience and qualifications, along with a benefits package, including a six percent retirement match, health benefit, and generous paid leave plan.
