State Government Relations Manager

Make a difference with us! At Alliance Defending Freedom, we believe God has brought you here for His purpose—to stand for truth and defend the God-given right to live and speak it. Together, we protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Review our Statement of Faith to ensure we’re a fit for you.

Locations: Florida / Preferably Tallahassee, FL

Team Overview

The State Government Relations team at Alliance Defending Freedom plays a vital role in advancing ADF’s strategic objectives through education and advocacy efforts involving direct government action. Covering Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, our team builds strong relationships with state legislators and staff, coordinates with allies on legislative and policy issues, and champions ADF’s mission at the state and local levels. As alliance builders, we work to protect religious freedom, life, and family by engaging key government stakeholders and driving impactful policy change.

Key Responsibilities

• Advocate and coordinate support for the positions of ADF on governmental policies and legislation.
• Promote and support strategies and approaches for effective advocacy.
• Travel regularly to meet with policy groups, legislative staff, and other stakeholders to discuss policy, strategy, and how to effectively advocate to government officials and the public.
• Build and manage a network of relationships within Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, including direct relationships with legislators and staff within governmental offices.
• Track, research, analyze, and evaluate legislation and translate to possible plans of action.
• Assist in developing testimony, legislation, position papers, and reports.
• Encourage and facilitate effective working relationships with policy allies and coalition groups in your assigned region.
• Speak publicly to the media and before crowds as permitted and requested by management.
• Work collaboratively within the ADF team and with external allies.

Skills to Succeed

• Knowledge of state legislative and executive branch processes and procedures, as well as ADF’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Ability to speak on religious freedom and constitutional issues related to the ADF mission.
• Strong legislative advocacy skills with advanced verbal and written communication abilities.
• Skilled in researching, analyzing, and evaluating state government issues, rules, regulations, and legislation.
• Effective interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build broad-range relationships and work independently and collaboratively across teams.
• Willingness to work in a frenetic, fluid legislative/political environment with flexibility to manage multiple complex projects under tight deadlines.
• Ability to build relationships with key state legislative staff (Democrats and Republicans) and mission-aligned advocacy organizations.
• Awareness of the current political landscape and its strategic implications for ADF’s legislative activities.
• Ability to leverage grassroots networks to advance a policy agenda.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills may be obtained.
• Experience in public policy advocacy at the state level or experience in legislative or executive branch work at the state level.
• Travel frequently, approximately 40% of the time, especially during legislative sessions.
• Adaptability to rapidly change priorities in order to respond to recent and changing legislative developments.
• Strong communication, relationship development, and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
• Skilled at navigating the complex legislative structure to produce desired results.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience involving government relations at the state level.

Pay & Benefits

At Alliance Defending Freedom, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package to support your well-being and growth. While we do not disclose specific salary ranges, our compensation is competitive with top non-profit law firms. Our benefits include 100% covered medical and dental insurance, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with a 4% company match. We prioritize work-life balance with paid time off and 12 paid holidays each year.

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